I’m an interior design expert – these are the WORST furniture buying mistakes

An interior design expert has shared the very costly mistakes people often make when buying furniture – from spending money on items that aren’t “sustainable” to splurging on things that have “cheap” alternatives.

Billy Shaw, the founder and CEO of furniture company 7th aveof Los Angeles, California, spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com about all the ways customers can avoid wasting money when buying decorations for their homes.

Picking out furniture for your home is a very important task as you will see and use most of it every day – and it’s no secret that some pieces can be quite pricey, so Billy explained that it’s ‘critical’ to take your time and don’t rush to buy anything.

The expert explained that people often try to cut costs by buying cheaper items, but end up losing money in the long run if they break and need to be replaced quickly.

In addition, he said many make the mistake of spending tons of money on items that “serve only an aesthetic purpose” and are not worth spending extra on.

Billy also revealed that many furniture buyers tend to pull out their wallets without first analyzing their “lifestyle” or reading reviews – which the CEO says is a huge mistake.

From the top things to focus on when buying furniture to the items to prioritize when shopping on a budget, Billy shared a slew of advice for people getting ready to furnish their homes and reflected on the biggest mistakes he’s seen clients make.

Mistake number one: not taking the time to think about your “lifestyle” before buying furniture

One of the biggest mistakes Billy has seen customers make is buying furniture that doesn’t fit their ‘lifestyle’.

Before buying anything for your home, Billy recommended taking some time to “evaluate” yourself — and if you’re the type of person who might mess it up, spend a little extra on protecting it. furniture because it will be worth it in the long run.

“For example, if you’re a young person living on your own in an apartment, you could go for 100 percent linen upholstery, as you’re less likely to get stains or get your couches dirty,” he explains.

“However, if you have children or pets, you might want to consider upholstery fabrics that are stain resistant or washable.”

One mistake Billy – the CEO of furniture company 7th Avenue – said he’s seen customers make is buying items that don’t suit their “lifestyle”

Mistake two: trying to cut costs by buying cheap items

Billy told DailyMail.com that the two most important things to consider when buying furniture are “functionality” and “durability.”

When you spend hundreds, even thousands, on a piece of furniture, you want it to be an investment that will last for years.

He explained that cheap parts “sound great in theory,” but eventually “become more expensive because they need to be replaced more often.”

Besides wasting money, Billy pointed out that sifting through tons of furniture is “bad for the environment.”

“We have a major landfill problem in the United States with furniture being one of the biggest culprits,” he added.

Mistake Three: Spending too much money on decorations that “serve only an aesthetic purpose”

While Billy thinks you shouldn’t cut corners when it comes to buying furniture, he says the same isn’t true when it comes to decorating.

He said items that “serve an aesthetic purpose only” usually have “cheap” alternatives, so there isn’t much to pay for them.

He added that it’s certainly important to keep your home looking nice, so you shouldn’t avoid all decorations altogether, but be careful not to spend too much on products that don’t “get a lot of wear and tear.”

Mistake four: not getting the right sofa

If you’re on a budget and you can only afford to spend a lot on one item – Billy said focus on your couch (stock image)

If you’re on a budget and can only afford to spend a lot on one item, Billy said to focus on your couch.

He explained that while some pieces of furniture can certainly be put on the backburner, your sofa should be in the foreground, as your “entire living room” will likely revolve around the object.

“The couch is definitely one of the most crucial investment pieces you should make,” he said.

“You end up spending a lot of time on your couch. It’s where people lounge, work, live and even socialize with friends and family.’

When it comes to finding the perfect sofa, he said comfort is a key factor to consider.

He recommends benches with a friction rating of at least 50,000 or higher and made of solid wood.

Billy also said to focus on “high-density cushions to prevent sagging after only a few years of use.”

Mistake five: not paying enough attention to the material the furniture is made of

According to Billy, it’s important to focus on the furniture that people often overlook (stock image)

According to Billy, it is important to focus on what kind of furniture is made, something that people often overlook.

“The worst materials are chipboard/plywood construction, low-friction fabrics that are not stain resistant, low-density foam and low-quality down feathers,” he said.

“People should avoid buying down couches. Down feathers are a popular way for sofa manufacturers to increase the comfort of sofas, but they are incredibly inconvenient and require a lot of maintenance.

‘Down pillows don’t regain their shape on their own and pillows need to be fluffed up all the time. Down feathers can also escape from the pillows, creating a mess.’

Instead, he said to use a down alternative, which gives “the comfort and softness of down, but without all the fuss.”

Mistake six: not spending time reading reviews before buying

According to the interior expert, the last mistake people often make is not reading reviews before making a purchase.

“Make sure you read all the reviews – good and bad,” he suggested. Read the negative reviews to make sure you are comfortable with the drawbacks a piece of furniture would have.

“In addition, be sure to read third-party review sites like TrustPilot or even online forums like Reddit to make sure you’re getting opinions and feedback from real people.”