10 BEST FURNITURE STORE TIPS FOR BUYING PIECES THAT WORK IN YOUR HOME

USE BLUE TAPE TO TEST THE MEASUREMENTS

Don't find the perfect piece of furniture only to have it not fit the space when you get it home. That's where checking the dimensions comes in handy. "Sometimes it looks one way in the store or picture, but in reality, it could be completely different," says Sharon Blaustein, an interior designer based in New York City. Whether you're buying online or in the store, place blue tape in the room (marking where the furniture will be) to see how the dimensions of the item work in the space, Blaustein suggests. 

DON'T GET TOO MATCHY-MATCHY

While you want your furniture pieces to complement together, not everything has to match. "Sometimes people think if it matches it's safe, but it can become too much," says Jason Arnold, an interior designer based in Nashville. It's all about finding a balance that works for your space. If you have a traditional sofa, for example, switch things up by shopping for a sleek cocktail table, Arnold advises. Opposites do attract, after all.

DON'T SKIP THE SAMPLE SWATCHES (EVER)

Sure, that sofa may look great on the computer screen or in the showroom, but in your home, it could be a completely different story — especially when it comes to the color. Your best bet: Ask the online store or showroom for sample swatches of the fabric. That way you can get an idea what the item may look like in your home's own lighting. Though some companies may charge you a small fee, you're better off spending $10 for a few samples than being stuck with a $5,000 sofa that's the wrong color, Blaustein says.

REMEMBER: SCALE IS EVERYTHING

While you want your décor to make a statement, that doesn't mean you have to go big with everything. "For larger rooms, some people end up buying a lot of large pieces instead of mixing it up," Arnold says. But not every piece needs to be the same scale. "It's about the relationship of how the large piece works with the other pieces in the room," he adds.

PLAN HOW YOU'LL GET THE FURNITURE INSIDE

Another important question to ask, especially for apartment dwellers: How will you get the furniture inside your home? You can try reaching out to your super for access to the elevator, Blaustein suggests. Some vendors may also be able to break off certain parts of the furniture – and replace them after – to help fit the item through your door or narrow corridors. Otherwise, you might just have to scrap it. "I had a client who ran into this issue, so we called the moving company," Blaustein says. "They said there was no way it was going to fit, and we ended up not buying it." It's better to be safe than left with an expensive piece you can't return.