Be careful when shopping for furniture. You are searching for items of high-quality that you know will last a long time. However, you don’t want to spend a fortune on new furniture. These tips can help guide you in the right direction when furniture shopping.

Really think about your lifestyle prior to purchasing any type of furniture. If you’ve got young kids with a hyperactive streak or a dog with a big floppy tail, then a delicate piece that’s easily tipped over probably isn’t right for your home. Let your situation help determine what you need.

If you want to be absolutely sure that you are getting a piece of furniture made with forest management practices in mind, look for the FSC certification. There are a number of certifications around, many of which are good. However, the FSC certification in particular is respected internationally for forest management.

Check Craigslist for deals. There’s often a lot of furniture that’s given away for absolutely nothing, other than your expense to pick it up! That’s a huge deal. Why do people give furniture away? They’ve decided to upgrade, and it can cost a lot of money to hire someone to get rid of the older piece. Take advantage of these situations.

If you need a new sofa set, try finding one with some fully covered cushions. These cushions last longer and can be flipped regularly. Ideally, you should buy a sofa with removable covers so you can easily wash them. Removable covers can also be replaced very easily in case you cannot clean a stain.

If you are looking for new furniture that has cushions, try to find ones with firm cushions and removable covers. Firm cushions will last much longer than softer ones. If the cushions have removable covers, check to see if they are machine washable. Your furniture will look good for a much longer period of time if you can wash the cushions.

When buying furniture, bring along color samples of your window shades and wall colors. You may love how a piece looks in the store, only to find it does not match once you get it in your home. Don’t do this to yourself. You can get a coordinating paint swatch from your hardware store or even take photographs of your room to the furniture store with you.

Always test the size of chairs and sofas before buying. You may not feel comfortable sitting and lounging on furniture in the store, but go ahead anyway. Sit or lay as you normally would on these pieces before you buy. This ensures the depth is good, and the comfort is there for the different ways you may use it.

Examine the finish on the furniture you are considering. If the furniture is wood with a stain, check that it is applied evenly and that you can see the wood grain. For opaque or painted finishes, look for an even coating. There should be no bubbles or other blemishes on the finish.

Run inside your neighborhood thrift store and look around. Sometimes, you can find some unbelievable gems. Some people discard like-new furniture to make room for something that is more in vogue. If you have an eye for style, you can achieve a beautiful look without spending a lot of money, and you can take advantage of more choices.

Check out classifieds like Craigslist when you are shopping for furniture. On any given day, you can find tons of postings on furniture for sale. Sellers on Craigslist are open to negotiating prices, so you can usually get something at a great price. Just make sure that you have cash on hand when you want to purchase.

Be cautious about wear warranties offered on many furniture pieces. Many are not worth the money. These discounts offer extra protection against spills and stains or rips and scratches. The problem with many of these warranties is that, when you consider the price you’re paying, you could purchase a new piece of furniture for the same amount as the warranty or have the piece cleaned yourself for less.

If you have antique furniture, do not repair them the same way you do your other furniture. Using fasteners, adhesives, finishes, and polishes can negatively affect both the current and future values of the pieces. Some of these products can dramatically discolor or completely alter the appearance of the pieces.

Ask about warranties when purchasing furniture. You should never purchase a brand new piece of furniture without a good warranty. Ask about the kind of damages covered by the warranty. It is best to purchase a warranty issued by a manufacturer rather than by the retailer since these warranties usually cover more things.

If you are looking for used furniture, you should look on Craigslist. There are many people selling or giving away used furniture right in your area. Many Craigslist ads have pictures of the furniture for sale, so you can get a good idea if it is something you want, prior to contacting the seller.

Consider taking part in an estate auction if you want to find high-end furniture at a great price. The sellers usually just want to sell off the furniture to clear the property for sale. Look in newspapers for announcements for upcoming auctions. Just make sure that you have your cash or checkbook ready when you attend.

If you can wait, only purchase furniture during the last week of the month. A number of companies operate from one month to the next. They decide to get rid of certain pieces as one month comes to a close. Therefore, you might be able to score a great deal as they are trying to make way for a new line.

A great tip for selecting furniture is to avoid purchasing things in pre-packaged sets. While you may think you are getting a great deal when buying a matching sofa, loveseat and arm chair, the overall effect in your final room will look rather bland and boring. Instead, try to buy individual pieces that look good when combined with your other items so as to create a unique decor that nobody else can replicate.

Being aware of the pitfalls inherent in furniture shopping can save you money. The tips will help you to feel confident about your shopping trip. Now head out and find fantastic furniture!