Shopping for furniture can be an ordeal, but it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes, it’s problematic because people have very different tastes. These tips will help make furniture shopping more enjoyable for both of you:
Communicate
Talk to your spouse before you go shopping. Find out what he or she has in mind for the piece you are currently hoping to purchase. Is he more interested in comfort than style? Does she love color while you would prefer a neutral? Maybe he likes contemporary pieces while you love traditional. Discuss these issues at home and see what kind of compromises you can come up with before you head to a showroom.
Shop at Home First
It’s also a good idea to look through catalogs and to look around online so you know what the current trends are before you go shopping. This way, you’ll both have a better idea of styles, colors, and prices, and you may both find something you can live with. If so, then you’ll be ready to head to a furniture store to check out some pieces in person and decide if they are as comfortable as they are attractive.
Do Some Research
If there is a piece of furniture that you absolutely must have, research the piece. Do your homework. Find out all the good qualities about the piece, which store is offering the best deal on it, and if the store offers free delivery. Make a list of all the benefits of buying the piece, and buying it at that particular store, and present your findings to your spouse. This is a much more convincing way to approach the other person than saying, “I just have to have it.”
Shop Ahead on Your Own
It never hurts to do a little window shopping on your own and pick out some pieces that you’d like to show your spouse. This may be the perfect way to talk him or her into a Saturday afternoon of furniture shopping. If you let him or her know that you only want to visit a few furniture stores or showrooms to look at a few specific pieces, you are more likely to get a positive response.