How to (Confidently) Shop for Furniture
We’ve all done it.
You see a piece of furniture that you’ve been stalking. It’s got the right lines, the right colour and the right amount of personality. You’ve been Pinning it on your board forever.
You flip the tag, ready to flinch but it’s on sale. The stars have aligned! You buy it.
Then you get it home… and it doesn’t quite work. It’s too big. Or worse, it doesn’t fit through the door. Or suddenly you realise it doesn’t go with anything else in the room. It’s too wide. It’s too ‘grey’…
But it’s here now because you spent money on it, so there’s no going back. You’ll just have to make it work.
The regret of “I love it, but it doesn’t fit” happens because most of us shop with our hearts before we check the practicality. And honestly? That’s not a bad thing because good design should make you feel something. But before you hand over your hard earned money, you need a plan.
We help you feel confident about the furniture you buy for your home.
We take the overwhelm out of choosing, so you can feel good about every piece that comes through your door (literally).
Here’s how you can start doing the same for yourself.
Step 1: First, grab these.
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STANLEY
FATMAX 8m
Trust us on this one. We know it’s a pricey tape measure but you’ll never look back.
Click the image to shop.
DEWALT LASER MEASURE 30m
For wall-to-wall measurements, and all important ceiling heights. It’s fancy but fabulous.
Click the image to shop.
Step 2: Know Your Space
Open your phone and start a new note titled “Furniture Shopping Measurements”.
Make a list of all the rooms you want to get furniture for.
Then grab your new tape/laser measure and make notes. Take some time to consider what you need to know, here are a few top clues:
Wall to Wall (so you know how big the room is)
Ceiling height (always good to have)
Door widths and height (so we can make sure it will get into the room)
Window size and height off the floor (will it fit under the window?)
Skirtings/baseboards (this could be the difference between something fitting exactly or not)
The height of your couch and current coffee/side table (do you want it bigger or smaller than what you have? Is the current coffee table the perfect height?)
If you’ve been specifically looking for an armchair for that one nook in the room, measure that space!
Bonus: Take a few photos of the room, the floor and important furniture and add them to the note.
SUPER Bonus: If you’ve got a specific inspiration pin or image, pop that in there too.
That’s your cheat sheet. Your little pocket designer.
Next time you’re out and wondering, “Will this fit? Does it match my couch?” — you’ll have the answer right here.
Step 3: Be Honest About How You Live
Ask yourself: What does this piece actually need to do?
If you always eat dinner on the couch, don’t pretend a new dining set will change that.
If your coffee table is mostly for putting your feet up, pick one that can take a bit of wear.
Write down your real-life needs next to those measurements.
Step 4: Stick to Your Story
Every room has a theme. Think of what inspires you most: maybe it’s an artwork, or a inspo photo you’ve saved a dozen times (which should already be in your notes as per Step 2). Would this new piece belong in that story? If not, it’s a distraction. Keep walking!
Not sure what your interior theme is?
The Bottom Line
Most furniture mistakes aren’t about bad taste, they’re about rushing the decision. A little preparation goes a long way toward avoiding expensive “I’ll make it work” moments.
So before you buy, measure. Before you click add to cart, check your notes. And before you talk yourself into something that doesn’t fit your home or your life… pause … or at least check the returns policy!
