Last Updated on December 3, 2020
Buying a home is the first step, then comes outfitting your new home with furniture and decor. And while shopping for furniture and decor is certainly fun, it can quickly add up. Prevent a financial mishap when heed this smart advice.
Research about a purchase before you buy
Interested in buying a new mattress? What about a new couch or even a new washer/dryer combo? Whatever it is, make time to fully research the item first. Read consumer reports, know what features signal something is cheaply made versus what type of craftsmanship is quality, and finally, talk with others or crowdsource on social media to get ideas about how the product in question in holding up over time. You can also check out the community discussions on Houzz–those are a wealth of knowledge!
Don’t buy expensive things online
There’s no denying the fact that the internet makes our lives easier, but when it comes to making large purchases, it’s best to see the item in person first. Don’t buy a chair, couch or bed that you can’t try first, as you are guaranteed not to like it. Rather than being stuck with a non-returnable big ticket item, choose to shop in person for expensive items. Unless you can go try the item in store or at a friend’s house beforehand, just say no to making big purchases online.
Use an online design program
If you’re outfitting an interior room and are having a hard time visualizing how various pieces will all come together, rather than buying things you’ll regret later, why not use an online design program? You can use free services like Homediary and Sweet Home 3D to map out your new look and feel before you make any concrete decisions.
Don’t rush into a paint color
While the paint itself isn’t that large of a financial investment, the time and labor costs associated with painting large areas of your home are. Rather than rushing into a paint color decision and finding out it doesn’t work after you’ve already paid someone to paint, take your time with the decision.
The easiest way to choose a paint color you’re happy with is to do the following:
- First, observe the room you want to paint– what kind of natural light does it get? For example, if you only have one window in a room that faces opposite the sunrise, you need to go fairly light in color in order for the hue not to look “muddy” in the room.
- Get several different color samples and paint them on a white poster board, and hang them up side by side in the room you want to paint. While you’re at the paint store, inquire about the undertones in each color. Know that undertones will show up more or less depending on the lighting and direction of your room.
- Observe the color throughout the day to make sure you like how it looks when the lighting changes.
Give big purchases time
Say you’re in the market for a new couch and after hunting for a while, you finally find something that you like. Even if you’re desperate for a new couch, it’s always best not to make big financial decisions quickly. Make sure you like the depth, comfort, color and design of the couch before you sign on the dotted line. Take time to truly think about how the piece will fit in with your overall aesthetic and if the price is truly worth the investment.
Bottom line: When it comes to making big purchases for your home, do your research thoroughly and you won’t be left with a costly mistake!
