How to Buy Furniture

Pick neutral-colored pieces. Black, white, grey and beige are safe color choices for any décor. However, if you have a well-defined style and you know you won't be moving or changing your décor in the future, you can opt for a bolder, riskier palette.

Don't compromise on color and style. If you don't find what you're looking for right away, don't give up. It's better to sit on the floor during dinner for a month than to settle for a table you'll hate for years to come. In the end, you'll be glad you waited for that perfect piece to come along.

Get bids from upholsterers, painters, carpenters or a DIY guru. As mentioned, you shouldn't have to compromise on color and style. You might be surprised to learn that many pieces can be updated for a relatively low fee. If you're really counting pennies, posting an ad on Craigslist or other online classifieds site is a great way to snag discount furniture to be customized. In some cases, you may be able to get a college student or apprentice looking for practical experience to refinish the piece for free.

Scour flea markets and secondhand stores armed with refurbishing estimates from the professionals you contacted in Step 3. If you've located a good furniture restoration service in town, getting a used piece with stylistic potential may be a great, inexpensive option.

Search the Internet for furniture, utilizing Etsy.com and other crafty sites. While some niche boutiques are expensive, many small furniture businesses really need your patronage, and they sell great furniture at low prices. Big box stores are not always the most inexpensive choice. Another benefit of buying from a smaller seller or independent contractor is that your home will have a custom look all its own.

Try out furniture whenever possible. Make sure the piece is comfortable. When purchasing online, talk to the seller about return options if the furniture turns out to be stiff and uncomfortable.