5 Furniture Buying Mistakes You Should Never Make, According To Designers

Never feel buyer's remorse again with these expert tips.

While we've all ordered clothing that didn’t quite fit us or meet our expectations, returning it is usually a minor nuisance. However, when it comes to purchasing furniture, the stakes are much higher. You're often spending a lot of money and planning to keep something for at least a few years.

And unlike that dress that just wasn't flattering, returning something like a sofa requires far more planning than just a trip to the Post Office. We asked designers for their best tips to avoid this scenario—here are five mistakes you should never make when buying new furniture.

Meet Our Expert

• Shay Holland, interior designer and HGTV star

• Chelsea Marks, owner of Paynes Gray, a stylish online furniture boutique

Forgetting To Measure

According to Chelsea Marks, owner of Paynes Gray, which is a stylish online furniture boutique, not measuring is one of the biggest reasons for returns. She says, “Customers either don’t measure correctly or don’t consider the scale of the piece versus their space. We have many people who want to return items, because they didn’t realize the item wouldn’t fit through their front door.”

All measurements must be taken accurately, including height. “We’ve had customers buy 8-foot-tall cabinets, and it’s so tall it’s hitting their molding. Always thoroughly check the measurements of the furniture to make sure you can get it in your residence and compare it to other items in your house so the scale of it doesn’t feel out of place,” says Marks.

Measuring also includes how something will get into your home. After all, just because something can fit through the front door doesn't mean you’re in the clear. “I recently had a client who measured the height, width, and depth of the sofa she planned to order, as well as the doorways. She had even arranged for white glove delivery service,” reveals interior designer and HGTV star Shay Holland.

"“I got a frantic call when the delivery crew was unable to get the sofa past the first floor stair landing. To make matters worse, repeated attempts to maneuver the sofa upstairs had extensively damaged the plastered walls," says Holland."

Holland ended up hiring a crew to hoist the sofa up the exterior of the house and over the rooftop railing. “We also had to hire a painter experienced with textured finishes to repair the damaged walls. Between the extra labor and wasted delivery fee, it added approximately $2,000 to the cost for one piece of furniture.”

Related: These Apps Help You Visualize Furniture in Your Home Before You Buy It

Failing To Factor In Delivery Times

Marks says it's crucial to consider delivery timing if you need something by a particular date. “Many customers shop for furniture expecting delivery within a few weeks for a party they have planned or a holiday." She explains that if you are purchasing high-quality furniture, it will likely require special freight delivery that can take three to five weeks alone—not including the order processing time.

Although it can be annoying, the reason for the long lead times is to ensure that your purchase arrives in one piece without damage. So go in with reasonable delivery expectations. Marks adds, “If you need new, quality dining chairs by Thanksgiving, and it’s November 2nd, it’s probably not going to happen.”

Not Realizing That Social Media Can Be Deceiving

There’s nothing like seeing a gorgeous piece of furniture on a retailer’s website or social media posts. But things can look very different in person than they do online. “When the pieces arrive and turn out to be uncomfortable, impractical, or the wrong color, it’s an expensive hassle to exchange or return,” says Holland.

To make things worse, she tells me many stores bill customers a hefty restocking fee among other return charges. So, the designer advises testing out big-ticket items such as sofas, chairs, and mattresses in person, if possible.

If you can’t see something in person before purchasing, it’s best to order a swatch or two before making a final decision. Most major retailers offer free or low-cost swatches to help you get a feel for the upholstery as well as more accurately choose between colors.

Not Accounting For Lifestyle Factors

While aesthetics are important, sometimes lifestyle needs must be prioritized. So, while that white linen sofa might look beautiful—if you have young kids, pets, or enjoy a nightly glass of red wine—don’t click add to cart. Maintenance is an additional consideration! “There’s one popular sofa that’s a nightmare for a lot of buyers who realize they’d spend more time fluffing up the cushions than sitting on them,” says Holland.

Related: Skip These 7 Design Trends if You Want To Clean Less Often

Not Thinking About How Long You’re Going To Use Something For

If you’re currently living in an apartment or condo, and don't plan to stay there too long, the quality of your dining table likely isn’t as important as it will be when you’re in a home you plan to live in for the next fifteen years. So, if you really like a trendy piece or are considering something that isn’t exactly heirloom-worthy, go for it. On the other hand, if you’re buying furniture for the long term, a higher-quality item with a more timeless aesthetic will likely be a smart splurge.

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