What I wish more people knew before buying furniture

Read this before you invest in your next piece

Even with a background in marketing & advertising, I’ve fallen into the trap of wanting something purely because it looks beautiful. The styling, the finish, the photography, it’s all very convincing. But when that beautiful piece is furniture and costs a small fortune and turns out to be made from materials that won’t last a season (let alone a decade), that’s when I get annoyed.

So if you’re about to pull the trigger on a dream piece for your home, office, or beyond, read this first. Your future self might just thank you.

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Always solid timber over "but it looks expensive"

For me, quality materials are so important. I see it all the time, just because a piece is expensive doesn’t mean it’s high quality. A lot of furniture is made with MDF or chipboard wrapped in timber veneer because it’s cheaper and quicker to produce, but not built to last.

Which is fine if you’re not looking to spend a fortune, but I’d rather source an investment piece that is not pretending to be something it is not!

High-end furniture is staged to look beautiful, but take a closer look. Real timber has natural grain, substance and (importantly) weight. When crafted well, it lasts forever, ages beautifully, and adds so much character to a space.

Tip: If shopping online, read the ‘Specifications’ tab, which is typically where materials are listed. If in a showroom, check the corners and underneath furniture; typically, veneers reveal themselves there.

Source - mcm house

Vintage is often better made

You know the saying “they don’t make them like they used to”? It absolutely applies to furniture. Older pieces were often built with better-quality materials and more detailed craftsmanship, which is why they’ve lasted for decades.

Writing about this actually reminds me of my father’s first dining table from the 80s. This became our family dining table growing up (where I’d eat baked beans as a 5-year-old), and now it proudly lives in my sister’s home, 40 years on!

There are so many beautiful vintage pieces hiding in local stores, marketplaces, and auctions (two of my favourite online spots are 1st Dibs and Auctionet). I love the idea that vintage furniture has lived many lives before us and that you get to give it a new chapter.

Source - 1st dibs

Please don’t buy the whole set

This is when things become a little too ‘matchy-matchy’. Salespeople often try to sell you the whole look, matching coffee table, side tables, chairs, etc., but it’s really not necessary. Mixing styles and finishes is good, and actually gives your space more character and style! My only exception, and this is on rare occasions, is outdoor furniture. Sometimes (emphasis on the sometimes), this works well as a full set.

Fabric & finish aren’t just cosmetic

Beautiful doesn’t always mean practical. I love a neutral, but selecting a pale leather sofa in a high-traffic area is probably not the best choice for that space. Always consider how you live and the lifestyle and climate you’re buying for.

I recently advised a family member in Australia (humidity central) to avoid selecting a leather sofa and go for a dark fabric that would feel cooler and wear better over time.

Tip: Consider the shape of the furniture too. Sofas, armchairs, and pouffes can easily be reupholstered later, so opt for a classic shape that won’t date, and you can refresh it with a new fabric down the track.

Source - vincent van duysen for zara home

Measure & map out in the space

I know this sounds obvious, but it’s important to measure in your space so you can understand the scale and proportions of the furniture before you purchase. Think about things like - will it block movement? Can drawers be fully opened? Will it fit through the front door? This will help you check how it practically fits into your space before you buy.

Tip: Use masking tape to map out the piece’s measurements on your floor. You’ll quickly find out if it’s too big or small or just right.

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Ultimately, furniture is a big investment, and really, it should last for decades and suit the way you actually live. Next time you’re shopping, think about how it feels, how it looks, and whether it’s really worth the price. Hopefully, these tips and my little voice pop into your head right before you hit ‘add to cart’!

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Have a lovely weekend, and I hope the sun is shining where you are (it is in Sweden - yay!). If you’re celebrating Easter, I hope it’s filled with lots of good food, specifically chocolate eggs! And if you feel like seeing what I’m up to in between posts, I’m usually over on Instagram here.

Ashley x