Your Guide to Getting a Great Deal on Furniture
FURNISHING SMALL SPACES
Furnishing a small living area can seem frustrating. Hey, relax! Just follow a few simple rules and you can turn your cramped quarters into a cozy den of sanctuary in no time.
A smaller living space involves a more thoughtful approach. The time you spend plotting and planning the layout of your little gem will allow you to connect emotionally to your new room. Yes, this will be like Oprah in a box as you see and feel your investment paying off. Another payoff? The energy you put forth to create this space will nurture good Chi and long-lasting positivity!
In a small space everything should be functional. In layman’s terms that means no wasted space. For instance, do you have a space underneath your bed or under an entertainment center? Use it. There are many stores that carry storage containers of all sizes. Make the spaces you normally wouldn’t even think of work for you. And who doesn’t need more storage? I have armies and several contained nations under my bed. They fit perfectly. The space under my book shelves have become a tidy spot for the odd magazine, batteries for the remote or extra remotes themselves. Like I said, if you got it, use it. But, if you don’t need it, get rid of it! Nothing more unattractive than having company over and the first thing they see are piles of useless stuff stashed on every flat surface available. That’s a major rule-breaker and a possible deal breaker if you want the company to stay to the end of the credits. Get it?
Now then, this isn’t Texas so lets lose the bull horns and repeat the motto “slimmer is better“. Choose more modern/contemporary types of furniture. They have a very slimming effect. If you’re putting in a sofa or loveseat, be sure they are not bulky. Think tapered cushions and straight lines. Bulky chairs or big, oversized cushions are going to suck the space right out of your room. As I’ve said before, if normal clutter is bad, furniture clutter is even worse. Go with only what you need. Lets not squeeze those four bar chairs into the corner of the room when you really only need one or two.
Colors are important as well. Use light colors like whites or neutrals. They help open things up. Patterns and big designs are very busy on the eyes in a small space so solid prints are best. Instead of coffee tables that are large and hard to move try an ottoman. I recommend an ottoman with storage. That way everything is multifunctional! An ottoman is easy to shift and move around which gives you more flexibility.
So remember your solid colors, slimming contemporary sofas, minimize your clutter and throw in a few multifunctional furniture pieces. The bottom line is just to keep things simple and you can turn your claustrophobic closet into a castle of comfort.
Good luck and don’t forget to have fun!
Discount Furniture Secrets
Ever shopped for regular, every-day furniture and come across a wide range of pricing? Wonder why some basic sofas sell for $1,000 or more while others that look very similar sell for as low as $500?
Furniture pricing is very erratic. Now we're not talking about high-end furniture priced $2,000 or higher. Some basic items such as solid wood dining table, sofas, and bedroom sets can be purchased for around $1,000. But how do some discount furniture stores offer these items for half that price - $500 or less?
The secret lies in the store's profit margins. The cost of these items to both the stores that sell for $1,000 and the ones that sell for $500 is the same - likely around $200-300! One store is adding a lot more profit margin than the other, while the other is passing on more of the savings to the customer.
Over the last decade, costs of manufacturing furniture has dropped drastically through technological advances and outsourcing of manufacturing to low-cost locations overseas. Meanwhile, the quality of the furniture has remained more or less the same. Some extremely good quality furniture is made overseas, as these international manufacturers have realized that the only way to stay in business is to keep the quality high.
The "old-school" retailers have chosen to keep their prices the same - in the $1,000 range - while the cost of the furniture has consistently dropped. For a while, these retailers profited from these lower costs.
Recently however, many honest retailers have started giving these furniture old-timers a run for their money. The same furniture can be found for much lower prices. Of course, you need to make sure the retailer backs up their products with warranty and a refund/exchange policy. But for the most part, some diligent research can save you over 50% in the cost of furnishing your home.
Shop around and have a critical eye - make sure you're getting a great deal and not paying a higher price for the same furniture.
Donating Furniture in New Jersey
Don't throw out your used furniture! Donate it to a worthy cause.
New Jersey furniture donations can be made at the following locations:
Housing Works - 212-366-0820 or submit request
Salvation Army - 1-800-728-7825]
Works of Life
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Topics:
FURNISHING SMALL SPACES
Discount Furniture Secrets
Donating Furniture in New Jersey
5 Furniture Tips in 5 mins
Showroom versus Online Shopping
Resources:
Furniture in Arizona
Boston Furniture
Furniture in Florida
Furniture in Michigan
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