How To Shop for Furniture, Fabrics, and Other Home Decor Items

Here's How:

1. Start out with everything you have together. Include paint chips, carpet fibers, fabric cuttings, and a reasonably accurate floor plan of the room you're going to shop for. Put the things together in a convenient tote bag or notebook.
2. List everything you're going to be shopping for. Be specific-- like "a blue chair for the living room." If you've found pictures of pieces that you like, take them with you, too, so you can show the sales people what you're looking for. It's not a bad idea to set a basic budget for the pieces you're looking for (if you have to) so that you're not tempted to look beyond your means.
3. Measure all the rooms, windows, and areas in the part of your home that you need to shop for and write down the dimensions. Don't forget the width of doorways, height of ceilings in each area, and floor space. Take the tape measure, dimensions, note pad, and pencil with you when you shop.
4. Start shopping on your own, moving from store to store and department to department. If a knowledgeable salesperson offers help, let them know exactly what you're looking for. Instead of "a lamp," say "a brass dresser lamp," for example.
5. Don't pass up any help that's offered. After all, the sales person should know their stock better than you and might know if there are pieces available but out of sight. If it seems as though they just don't understand what you want, thank them and move on by yourself through the merchandise. Keep in mind that lots of sales people are paid a small base rate but make the majority of their income through commissions. Sometimes they're very helpful. At other times, they're just obnoxious or pushy.
6. If you see something of interest, ask for specific information from the sales person. They should have information about fiber content, materials used to create an item, country of origin, and warranty information.
7. If you don't see anything that's just right, move on to another store. You don't want to waste your time or energy needlessly. Take a lunch break or stop for a cold drink to get your energy and enthusiasm back. Don't feel discouraged. You will find something eventually.
8. If you see something you like, get out your fabric samples or paint chips to see if the things you already have will coordinate with the new item. Take the piece to a window to see how it will look in natural light. It's amazing how much fluorescent light can change the actual look of colors.
9. If you find something that might work, get out your floor plan, tape measure, and notebook. Ask if there are you could buy the piece in a different wood finish or fabric, or color. Often there is a price up-charge for changes. Write down what you find out.
10. Ask about the store policy on delivery options, returns, or trying a piece out in your home for a day or two. Many stores offer this option. If you're happy with this purchase, you'll probably come back. Ask whether you can buy the floor model (if it's in perfect or acceptable condition) or how long it will take to custom-order the piece. How long would it take to get a custom piece in your home? Some items can take a day, others as much as 3 or 4 months.
11. Lots of companies have color brochures with information for the consumer. Ask the salesperson if they have one or can make you a copy of theirs. Ask about a website for the company that makes the product. You could see other options there even if they do not have them in the store.
12. Unless you're ready to buy right away, make a note of the store, the item and item number, price, fabric, finish, and dimensions. Ask the sales person for his or her business card. They'll appreciate that you'll return to them if you decide to buy.
13. If you're not quite sure, ask if you can take a digital picture of it. Then go home and think about it for a day or two. Use masking tape to tape off the area that the piece will take. Use pillows or boxes to fill the space so you can get a feeling of its mass.
14. If you love the piece, it's the right size and color, you approve of the purchasing terms, and you think it's exactly what you want, buy it.

Tips:

1. Unless you find something that's absolutely perfect, don't settle for the first thing you see. Keep your options open, for the day at least. You can always go back. Commit ahead of time to find just the perfect thing.
2. Don't assume that something is better just because it's expensive. And don't think it's cheap just because it's inexpensive. Check out the quality.
3. Always look at colors in natural daylight. Carry a pillow or piece over to a window or take it outside (with the store's permission!) to see it in its best light. Take a piece "on approval" and see how it looks in your home with your other items before you make a final commitment.
4. Always ask if you can take the piece home overnight to try it out in your home. You'll get a much better idea of whether it will fit in the space you intend it to occupy, confirm that it looks good with your other pieces, and decide if you really do like it.
5. Don't rush your purchase. You'll be buying something you'll use for a long time, so get something you really like.