Buying Furniture and Decor: 9 Secrets of Successful Shopping

Sometimes shopping ends up in unnecessary expenses or buying items you don't actually need or that don't fit your interior. We asked experts how to make shopping trips not only enjoyable but also effective.

Alexandra Gartke — INTERIOR DESIGNER. Founder of ArtGart Design Studio

Plan your budget. Choose stores with products in the price range that suits you. Before traveling, check online catalogs.

Build a shopping route. Decide which stores you want to visit and find out their addresses in advance. Also, call ahead to check if the items you're looking for are available in the showroom or samples.

Buy in sets. If you're shopping without a designer, choose companions for each item you like. For example, if you love a table lamp, pick a matching wall sconce or floor lamp. This way, you'll see how items work together.

Evaluate color and size of the purchase. Remember that furniture like a sofa or armchair may appear to be the same size and color in the store, but will look completely different in your living room with a different area and lighting. Therefore, always choose colors under natural daylight.

Ask questions to the sales consultant. Tip: The best time for shopping is the first half of the day. When consultants are still energetic and eager to help.

If you're shopping without a designer, don't hesitate to ask for help from sales consultants. They can guide you on the range and recommend the right option.

Pay attention to displays in showrooms. Usually, these are curated by designers and consider current trends.

Ksenia Gladchenko — INTERIOR DESIGNER. Designer and decorator from St. Petersburg, working in the profession since 2017.

Bring a tape measure with you. Guessing whether a bed or dresser will fit in the bedroom is not an option. There's a big chance of making a mistake. With a tape measure, you can take all necessary measurements yourself, write them down in your diary or cross-check with previous notes.

Use smartphone and apps. There are great interior design apps and inspiring images to refer to during shopping. Also, always take photos of your home with existing furniture and decor to visually assess whether the new purchase fits.

Bring fabric and paint samples with you. It's not a good idea to rely solely on your smartphone camera. Colors and textures often look completely different on screen. It's better to bring fabric or finishing material samples that you already have in your home.