Advice on discount furniture

I am going to be honest with you. Over the last five years, furniture pricing has dropped because of the values coming out of China. Today as a consumer, the furniture industry is selling more furniture at a lower cost, than at anytime in history. So as a consumer goes out to shop for furniture, whether they consider themselves a higher end customer or not, the pricing has gone down. As you go in to these various stores, what you are going to find is that the spread between the promotional store and the upper end store will not be as large as it used to be.

Obviously, you can go out and you can spend $20,000 on a dining room. Or you can buy a really nice dining room set for $2,000 and maybe less today in the market place. So as you look at the shopping experience, I really think that the rules have all changed in furniture.

The most important thing that you can do as a consumer is you should identify your style. Go into a store and pick out magazines. Then put aside pictures you like. Look at the pictures of the rooms that you are seeing and which ones appeal to you. Which one do you imagine your house looking like? Put them in a pile and you are going to find a common theme that really feels like you. From that viewpoint, you are going to start your search. You are going to go around to at least half a dozen stores if you are smart. Look for the style that appeals to you. Then, start to compare pricing, quality, and value. Start doing your homework and take your notes. Do not make a quick decision on some- thing. It is the second largest purchase a consumer will make other than the home itself.

What you have to do is test drive. You have to go shopping and look and feel to get the right piece. So much of what we do is in our home. It's like a nest and you want it to be comfortable for you and your friends.