Shop for Bedroom Furniture

Tips to help you purchase furniture for your Bedroom

If you are decorating or remodeling your bedroom, The American Furniture Manufacturers Association makes the following recommendations for bedroom furniture shopping:

• Decide what best expresses your personal style
• Determine your budget.
• Measure your space to see what pieces you can accommodate.
• A well-equipped bedroom generally consists of a bed, a nightstand or two, a dresser or chest and a mirror. Many of today's bedrooms feature an armoire, too.
• The bed is generally the focal point of the bedroom so you'll probably want to select it first.
• When shopping for pieces that aren't upholstered, such as dressers, chests and tables (known as "casegoods" in the furniture world), find out what they are made of – is it hardwood or softwood? Quality pieces are available in both hard and soft woods.
• With any wood pieces, an examination of the construction will reveal a lot about the quality. Lift a corner. Does it feel heavy and sturdy? Check out the corners. Do they feel strong and secure?
• Open and shut the drawers. Do they open and close easily? Do they fit snugly? You want to make sure they don't sag.
• Examine the finish of the piece. The finish should be smooth, without cracks or bubbles
• Check the hardware, e.g. handles and pulls, they should be secure and strong with no rough or sharp edges.
• And after you've made your major furniture selections, remember to add accessories such as lamps, photo frames, rugs and wall décor.
• Most importantly, enjoy yourself.