At some point or another, you may find yourself needing to buy many pieces of furniture or a number of different appliances. This could be because you are moving into your first, real home or because you have decided to update your current belongings. Well, either way, you will quickly realize that this is a tricky process. Not only are there are so many different options to choose from, you will often find that you are met with contradicting advice, everywhere you turn. So, to clear things up for you a little, here is a list of dos and don’ts to follow when choosing furnishings or appliances:
Do Pay Attention to Size
The most important tool in your arsenal when it comes to choosing either furniture or appliances is a measuring tape. It will help you know just how much space and room you have to work with. Now, when outfitting a room, the first thing you will need to do is to measure the exact dimensions of that area. If you are going to be shopping for taller objects such as cabinets or cupboards, then you will need to know the height of the room as well.
This advice can be applied to buying appliances as well. For instance, if you want a washing machine or dryer, make it a point to measure the room or nook that the machines will be placed in. On the other hand, if you are choosing kitchen appliances, make sure to take note of the dimensions of the counter and pantry cupboard space. You should also constantly check the working condition of appliances, dryer repair los angeles can help you if you are around LA.
So, what are you going to do with all of these measurements, then? Well, these will come in handy when you are selecting your furniture and appliances. You will need to carefully look at the dimensions of every piece of furniture or appliance that you want to get and then calculate how well that they will fit together. It may be that you will either have to get smaller or fewer number of items to ensure that everything works well together.
Don’t Go For Trendy Items
Every time you flip through a décor magazine or head to a decorating website, you are going to come across the season’s biggest trends. However, if you dig a bit deeper, you will also find just as many articles surrounding the trends that are on their way out. This is because furniture and appliances centered on contemporary fads are only meant to be used for a short period of time. As a result, they can make your home look dated rather quickly.
The good news is that you don’t need to be a victim of this constant fashion cycle. You can do this by focusing your attention on either traditional or classic pieces. These designs stand the test of time and look just right at virtually any time period at all. So, just how can you achieve this? Well, for one thing, it is a good idea to stick with natural or classic colors so that you aren’t boxed in by any particular time period. You should also stick with materials that aren’t necessarily tied to one particular trend or period such as wood and stainless steel.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that classic doesn’t automatically mean boring. There are lots of ways to freshen up the look of classic pieces. For instance, look for flowing instead of straight lines, add bursts of color and patterns, and of course, have lots of fun with choosing your furniture and appliances!
Do Focus on Quality and Construction
Considering just how much you will be spending on your furniture and appliances, it stands to reason that you would want pieces that will last you as long as possible. Well, this is where the quality of materials and construction come in. With furniture, you need to be very sure of the wood, metal, or other material that the pieces are made from. You should always ask for some sort of proof or even a warranty. At the same time, look at how each of the pieces has been constructed. Is it firm and sturdy? Can the piece carry a heavy load and not buckle under the weight? These are just some of the questions you should start with.
You will also need to check the durability of the fabrics used in upholstery as well. After all, there are some materials that simply stand the test of time a little better than others. These include leather, microfibers, and cotton. Not to mention, you will also need to discover how easy these fabrics are to maintain and whether or not they will wear out if cleaned rather frequently.
Of course, you can’t forget about the appliances as well. Here, too, it can pay off to know what materials are best. Now, hands down, stainless steel is still one of the most popular finishes, particularly with kitchen appliances. This is because it is a sturdy material and it can resist heat, stains, and abrasions. However, if you have a little more money to spare in your budget and want to go for a slightly warmer feel, copper appliances can also be a good option.
Don’t Mix and Match Too Much
A home with a minimal color palette or just one color can be incredibly bland. On the other hand, if your furniture and appliances boast one too many shades, then it can begin to look chaotic and overwhelming. If you want to make the right impression, then you are going to need to be able to strike a balance. A good way to do this is to select a theme, both with furnishings and appliances. This way, you will be able to mix and match colors without going overboard.
For instance, imagine that you want to focus on a warm color scheme. This means choosing furniture made from light, burnt woods. As far as fabric goes, you can opt for yellows, reds, and oranges will work well with such a theme. As for the appliances, you can either go for bold pops of color such as bright yellow pieces or stick with something a little more subdued like a darker red or orange.
Do Only Get What You Need
Now, this may sound like a rather boring piece of advice to follow but it is important that you do this, at least when you are first shopping around. See, with all of the options available to you both in brick-and-mortar stores and online, it is easy to get caught up in stocking up on lots of knick-knacks that you don’t actually need.
See, while all these things may look cute or have an unusual function, they may not add much to your day-to-day life. In this sense, they can be a waste of money, especially if you haven’t gotten the more necessary items. So, your first step should be to make a list of all of the things that your home will actually require. Then, get these items first and then consider the less relevant options.
Don’t Focus on Aesthetic Appeal Alone
When decorating your home, the main aspect that you will be focusing on is the appearance. So, when you find a piece of furniture or an appliance that you really like, it can be easy to simply stop looking. While the aesthetic appeal of furniture and appliances are undoubtedly important, it isn’t necessarily their primary function.
For instance, if you are choosing living room furniture, then you will need to find comfortable sofas and chairs. As such, it won’t really be helpful if you have a great-looking couch that no one can actually sit on. This is why it is imperative that you always check out such pieces to make sure that they meet all requirements.
The same concept works for appliances as well. Remember, it isn’t enough for the appliance to look pretty on your kitchen countertop or nestled in the laundry room. It also needs to be durable, user-friendly, and actually offer the features that you require.
Do Your Research
You should never go shopping either online or in real-life without first doing your research. Thanks to the internet, it is easier than ever to figure out whether a particular appliance or piece of furniture lives up to the hype. You could also read customer and professional reviews to find out about all of the advantages and disadvantages of virtually any item.
Of course, your research doesn’t have to end just there. If you see an item belonging to a friend or family member that appeals to you, make sure to ask them plenty of questions about it. By doing this, you will be able to discover the functionality of the item and be able to figure out for yourself whether it is worth investing in.
These are the most important dos and don’ts that you will need to consider when purchasing either appliances or furniture. Sure, it is a lot of information to go through but in the end, you will be able to make a more informed decision and thus, get items that you will actually like and be able to use for a longer period of time as well.
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