1. Decide on how much you want to spend and set a budget. It's very easy to spend more than you can afford at a furniture outlet store. Before you leave, check your funds and take cash with you if that is possible. If you take cash, you are less likely to over spend because you can see how much you have.
2. If you know yourself to be a shop-a-holic or impulsive buyer, make a list of what you need before you leave your house. There are so many discounts and sales in furniture outlets, it's so easy to go from one bargain to the next buying things you don't need. Make a list, check it twice, buy only what is on your list, check out and head for the door. Don't look back. The idea is to save money at an outlet store. Buying things you don't need or will never use defeats the purpose.
3. Be prepared. If you are needing something with color, be sure you have brought color swatches so you don't end up selecting the wrong colors. If you are buying a large piece of furniture, will it fit through the door? Measure the area you wish to put the new furniture piece BEFORE you buy it.
4. Bring a friend with you. Getting a second opinion is a great way to get confidence in your new furniture decision. Friends don't let friend buy ugly furniture.
5. If you are on a tight schedule when you visit the furniture outlet, just look at what is available, but do not buy. If you are in a hurry, you may rush through selecting the new furniture, which can be a catastrophe! You may fail to notice damage, correct colors, or the overall size of the furniture. Only shop when you have time to shop.
6. Real furniture outlet stores rarely advertise. Visit your local outlet frequently to learn about sales, weekly discounts, and coupons. You can really reel in the savings by taking advantage of these bargains.
7. The best way to get a good deal is by shopping during the "off season." This is usually during the colder months of the year, when everyone is hibernating inside. Buying when the store is less busy is a great way to save some added cash! It's also a great way to cut down on time spent in check out lines.
8. Many items featured in outlets are either discontinued or was once used as a display. For this reason you should thoroughly examine each object for defects and surface damage.
9. Before handing over the cash, know what the stores return policy is. This is very important as many furniture outlets do not allow returns or exchanges. Know your options!
10. For the greatest savings and widest selection visit customer service. Most stores have shipments that arrive each week, usually on the same day each week. By visiting customer service, you can find out which day of the week their trucks come in. You can also find out when their annual floor cleaning sales are and what day they do mark downs each week.
Stephanie McLain enjoys writing about shopping at a furniture outlet and outdoor dining furniture.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2831405
Investing in Antique Furniture
Owing antique furniture is most definitely an asset. Anyone owning a piece of antique furniture may be able to get thousands of dollars, if it is in good condition. The value of your furniture piece depends on how old it is, where it was made, the level of craftsmanship and the condition it is in. There are things you can do to guarantee your furniture piece stays in a good condition and as a result maintain a high value.
Keeping your antique furniture clean
When cleaning antique furniture make sure that it becomes part of your regular cleaning routine; do not neglect your antiques. Dust your antiques every few days, once a week at the very least. Use a soft cloth to avoid scratches. Avoid using sprays of any kind especially those that include furniture polish. Chemicals used in the manufacturing of these sprays for the purpose of repelling dust and grime can actually damage your investment by staining the wood or causing weak spots. Cleaning antique furniture should be about preserving it rather than adding to the wear and tear. What you can use to clean your wooden antiques is orange oil; use it once a week. Consider waxing every few months as well. Applying a thin coat of wax to the wooden surface of your antiques will allow it to shine.
Protecting the wood
Cleaning antique furniture can damage the wood if it is not done correctly so make sure you use all the protection necessary. Clean any liquids that fall on the wooden surfaces immediately and do not allow the fluids to sit. Cleaning antique furniture in this instance would require dabbing the stain with a soft cloth until all of the solvent has been removed. Avoid wiping it away, because it could cause more damage. To maintain wooden antiques in the best possible way, keep them away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can contribute to discolouration and irreversible damage.
Maintaining a clean environment
Always keep in mind that antiques are old and sensitive. To avoid damaging your antique furniture, make sure that you keep your antiques in a clean room with constant temperatures. Large variations in temperature throughout the day can be damaging to your antiques. Some antique collectors use humidifiers in antique storage rooms to guarantee the best return for their investment in the long run.
Always remember, that antiques are primarily valuable because of their age and condition. What will add more value to your antique are factors such as quality, distinctiveness, splendor and period. Antique collectors are always looking for the best age to condition/quality ration antique.
Antique pieces are generally very expensive and not affordable by the common man. Acquiring an antique will set you back a few dollars. To ensure that these dollars don't go to waste you should follow the above tips on a regular basis. Keep in mind that antique furniture can add style to your home and surroundings; incorporating distinctive antique furniture pieces in your home layout ads class.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1107669
Are you someone who finds modern furniture all too smug and lacking in the sort of character that craftsman in another time could always bring to their creations? To lovers of vintage furniture, life can be a constant search for satisfaction at auction houses one after the other. There are great deals to be had for people who have an eye for quality. That eye needs a great level of ability too. Buying antique furniture at auctions isn't anything like going down to your favorite local antique store. While you are allowed to judge items going on auction closely for quality anywhere, the question of how much you are expected to pay for it comes up only when the bidding actually gets underway. You need to be particularly quick making decisions on the spot over what you are expected to pay for that chest of drawers you have an eye on.
Make full use of the pre-auction inspection, evaluate every piece of antique furniture closely that you believe might be of interest to you, and make a mental note of how high you're willing to go. When the piece you are after is actually on the auction block, you will need to make decisions on the fly. Inspecting antique furniture isn't as straightforward a deal as it sounds though. The first thing to note when you go about inspecting that antique furniture is that natural wood finished with natural techniques (as opposed to wood finished with modern techniques) usually comes with imperfections like little dints and blemishes. These are flaws that give antique furniture their character, and are not to be seen to be a dealbreaker in any way. However, a piece that has so many major flaws that it will need to be refinished can be something to worry about. Antiques that are refinished lose their value.
There are build quality issues to go into when you go about trying to determine how high you can go with a piece of furniture. Legs on any piece of antique furniture are liable to loosen over time. This is less likely to happen though, with designs that make the legs an extension of the furniture itself. Screw-on the legs are to be avoided. At many antique auctions, beds going on the block only have the headboards and the footboards - and no bed rails to go between them. These are to be avoided, because you will have quite a time finding beautiful wooden rails to match the style of bed.
Finally, when you're buying case goods (furniture like cabinets, bookcases and the like), be sure to check for termite damage. This may not be as evident as it sounds. Look to see if there is any sawdust-like stuff in the corners of drawers. If you see the any, it would mean that someone is trying to hide the fact that there is damage at hand that could lower value. Whatever you do, make sure that you keep your wits about you and that you exercise common sense. It doesn't take a lot of specialist knowledge to make the right decision at an auction. It just takes a good gut instinct.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5733898
Furniture, whether inside or outside the house, adds the required charm to the four bland brick and mortar walls. Outdoor furniture is not meant to be the scrap that indoor furniture has turned into after so many years of usage. Your outdoor furniture not only adds value to the quality of life but also enables you to enjoy nature, with extreme comfort. The variety and quality of outdoor furniture available in the market belies the claims of conservationists who tend to hold the opinion about primacy of indoor furniture. From plastic to wicker to wood to metals, outdoor furniture is available in every material.
Buying and maintaining parameters for outdoor furniture are quite different from indoor furniture. This article aims to provide you with all the basic dos and don'ts while dealing with outdoor furniture.
The first step, of course, is to decide upon the material you prefer in your outdoor furniture. If opting for wooden furniture, Amish made furniture can be an ideal choice for indoor furniture but woods like redwood, teak, balau, cypress, eucalyptus and white oak are naturally suited for outdoor furniture. These woods are insect and rot-resistant that is vital for any outdoor furniture article. These woods have also shown sufficient signs of weather resistance. Ideally, your choice of outdoor furniture depends a great deal on the weather prevalent in your area. Weather can be the biggest enemy of outdoor furniture. Rains, heat and dust could create havoc for a delicate furniture item. If the weather is mild and pleasant, even carefully crafted Amish handcrafted furniture can be given a try. Amish furniture adds gloss to your outdoors and lends grace to your indoors! The general features for outdoor wooden furniture include substantial look and feel, ease of cleaning, periodic maintenance and always cool to touch.
If your choice is wicker furniture for your outdoors, then Rattan vine is the usual material used in making some exotic wicker chairs and tables. The general features for outdoor wicker furniture includes - lightweight, comfortable, tight uniform weave with no splinters, distinctive look and use of some synthetic material like resin.
If your choice is metallic furniture, then aluminum is your best friend for outdoor comforts. Good aluminum furniture will give out a unique look and is also extremely light weight being made of hollow aluminum tubes. Aluminum furniture come either in wrought aluminum or cast aluminum, and both are equally good. The general features for outdoor aluminum furniture includes - durability, rust-free, lightweight, weather-resistant, formal and easy to maintain.
Plastic furniture is also gaining grounds these days more due to its cost-effectiveness than good looks.
Do not forget to keep the budget on outdoor furniture under check. Generally, your outdoors should not look overcrowded with furniture stuffed in every nook and corner. Few but unique furniture items on the outdoors is the ideal approach. Never go by the beauty of the furniture article. Your requirements always come first. So, it's always handy to have your requirements in mind before you set foot to buy outdoor furniture.
Maintenance of outdoor furniture is another yardstick that should be given due regard. Wood and aluminum furniture comes on top for the maintenance criterion. A good polish or varnish can easily prolong the life of outdoor furniture.
The author has closely observed the work of the Amish. Each Amish furniture item is unique and long lasting. Amish Oak furniture is made from the best quality hardwood. Click to buy wholesale Amish furniture online at great prices.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/397583