Whether you're just starting out in your own apartment, or have an established household, furniture is always a necessity. For those furnishing a home for the first time, bedroom furniture is probably first on your list. If you've been living with the same bedroom furniture for many years, you might be ready for a change. Your existing furniture may no longer suit your taste, or be remnants from those early days, when you were just beginning to furnish your own household. In either case, a careful plan can get you where you want to go. Let's take a look at some of your options.
As a first step, you'll want to define your budget. If you choose to finance your bedroom furniture, in part or whole, be sure an additional monthly payment fits into your current budget. While a few bucks one way or the other won't make much of a difference, try not to exceed you budgeted amount by more than 5%.
Next, decide on the style of furniture you'd like. There's basically two approaches: new, matched sets or antique or older, retro styled pieces, which can look great, even though each piece doesn't match exactly.
If you opt for new furniture, you're best off buying all of the major pieces in a matched set bed, dresser and nightstands. In this case, you need to remember that furniture styles change and if you buy the bed now and think you'll order the dresser later, when you can afford to pay cash, it may no longer be available from the manufacturer. If this poses a problem for your finances, see if the store has a layaway program to secure the remaining pieces, or pay cash for some pieces and finance the rest.
If you decide on antiques, you have more latitude in selecting other individual pieces of bedroom furniture. For example, you have your heart set on an antique brass bed. Since your bed is typically the largest piece of furniture, you may want to buy the bed and mattress first. This helps you get the feel of your new mood and style and visually gives you clues on how another piece will fit in.
Once the bed of your choice is in your home, try looking through antique furniture magazines for styles that please you. If you want a retro look, such as Art Deco pieces, stick to one period. Cut out pictures of furniture you like and paste each on an index card or sheet of paper. Much like looking at paint or wallpaper swatches, this gives you an idea of how that piece will coordinate in your overall bedroom furniture scheme.
For a cohesive look, stick with stains that match closely and are plainer in style. Ornate trimmings on a dresser, mixed with nightstands of a Shaker design, even though stained in a similar shade, will ultimately look out of place and make the room appear cluttered and disorganized.
A mix of new and antique furnishings rarely works. The only case in which it does work is if you buy a new bed, without a head or foot board and furnish the rest of your bedroom with antiques or retro furniture.
Don't be in a giant hurry to part with your cash. If buying new bedroom furniture, watch the furniture sales. Ask sales people about upcoming sale dates, as well as their business card and which days they work, so they know you're serious and will ask for them when you come to buy; furniture sales people generally receive commissions, so they'll appreciate your loyalty. Inquire about layaway programs and terms.
If you're going for the retro or antique bedroom furniture, watch the classifieds and browse the local antique malls, flea markets, garage and estate sales. You can find some fabulous deals on bedroom furniture in these venues - if you're willing to take your time.
As with most markets today, it's a buyer's market in furniture. New or old, you can always negotiate on price for a better deal. Happy Shopping!
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