While most people would consider their home an investment, few truly consider how selecting its furnishings wisely can save money in the long run. Everyone needs a place to sit, eat, and sleep, but furniture can do so much more than simply fulfill this basic function. It can set a calm and relaxing mood, it can impress and welcome guests, and it can even become an heirloom to be passed on to your children.
Bedrooms in particular represent an oasis in the midst the demands of life, a place to truly savor the luxury of relaxation. They can also get quite expensive to furnish without establishing a sound budget before you start buying. As a result, bedrooms are an excellent room in the home to give thought to budgeting for decorative yet practical furniture.
Consider Lifestyle
When searching for quality furniture at a discount, it’s easy to get wrapped up in appearances without paying much attention to what you’re buying. The type of pieces that represent the best option for you largely depend on your lifestyle. Do you plan to stay in your current house or apartment for several years, or do work and school commitments require you to move frequently?
To be a sound investment for a homeowner or anyone with a consistent residence, more expensive purchases need to last for years to come. When deciding which piece to buy, be sure to look at manufacturing details. Furniture constructed from solid hardwoods offers the most durability, though it also comes with the highest price tag. Pieces crafted from composite woods or particleboard can be just as attractive and more budget-friendly, but they’re also less likely to last. Metal, glass, stone, and plastic furniture typically fall somewhere in-between. Ideally, plastic would be one to avoid as there are much better alternatives like acrylic.
The rules change for those that move frequently. If furniture needs to travel with you, the best choice may be less expensive composite wood pieces. Not only can they be more easily replaced if they get damaged in the move, but their construction makes them much lighter and easier to maneuver.
Choose Splurge Pieces Wisely
The great thing about bedroom furniture is that not every piece needs to be costly for the room to look tastefully decorated. Beds and mattresses are smart investment pieces, since your bed has the greatest visual impact and your mattress has the most influence on your comfort and health. For those without much closet space, choosing a good, sturdy wardrobe or chest of drawers can also be a sound investment. Bedding, rugs, lamps, and other decorations that wear out more quickly or affect your room’s overall functionality less can be taken from remaining money in your budget.
To get the most use out of larger and more expensive pieces, it’s also a good idea to pick furniture in a neutral color palette. Whites, grays, browns, and blacks can go with a wide variety of hues if you decide to redecorate. They also never go out of style, while the same might not be true of a bolder shade. Save brighter colors and trendier patterns or styles for more affordable accent pieces, such as pillows, artwork, or blankets, which can easily be replaced.
Check Out Sets
Another money-saving option is buying a bedroom set. While a larger initial price tag can scare some buyers away, sets often end up saving you money, as they include all the necessary furniture for one lump sum. Most importantly for many people, bedroom collections also save time and require less design expertise. It’s easy to spend countless hours agonizing about whether furniture will look like it goes together when you actually get it home. Bedroom sets are crafted to coordinate beautifully and fit within popular decor styles such as traditional, contemporary, rustic, or industrial.
Shop Online
Brick and mortar stores allow you to see and test furniture in person, but nothing can beat the deals available online. Furniture websites typically collect a much larger number of pieces in one place, which makes finding a specific style simple. In addition, shopping for furniture online allows for much easier comparison on prices and financing offers from different vendors, ensuring that you get the best value for your money. With great deals on shipping and local sale finders, like the one available on Furniture.com, online stores have the resources to get you quality furniture at an affordable price.
