5 Questions People Forget to Ask When Buying Furniture

Before You Click “Add to Cart,” Read This First

When furnishing your home, it’s easy to fall in love with a beautiful sofa or a striking coffee table. But aesthetics alone aren’t enough to guarantee the piece will actually work for your space, your family, or your long-term needs.

At IHR, we guide clients through furnishing decisions every day — and we’ve seen firsthand how the right questions lead to smarter choices and less regret.

Here are five often-overlooked questions to ask before you buy:

1. How will this piece fit into my everyday life?

Looks matter, but lifestyle matters more. If you have young kids, a cream linen sectional might be more stressful than serene. If you love to host, a sleek, low-profile sofa might not offer the support your guests need.

Ask yourself:

• Will this hold up to the way we live?

• Is it comfortable for how we actually use the space?

2. Do I have the right dimensions — for the piece and the room?

People often measure the room, but forget to account for walkways, scale, and flow. A piece might technically fit but still feel too bulky or awkward in the space.

Quick tip: Use painter’s tape to outline the dimensions on your floor before purchasing. It's a game changer.

3. What materials is this made from — and are they right for my space?

Performance fabrics, solid woods, high-quality joinery — these details matter. If you’re buying a piece online or from a showroom, dig deeper into the materials and construction.

Helpful hint: If a price feels too good to be true, the quality often reflects it. Ask about the frame, suspension, cushion fill, and fabric durability.

4. How does this piece connect with the rest of my home?

You might love a piece on its own, but will it feel cohesive with the other furnishings, finishes, or architectural elements? Consistency in tone, shape, and scale goes a long way toward making a home feel thoughtfully pulled together.

5. What happens after I click 'buy'?

Ordering furniture can come with unexpected hiccups — long lead times, limited return policies, delivery restrictions, or assembly challenges. Before committing, ask:

• How long will this take to arrive?

• What’s the return policy?

• Is delivery white glove or curbside?

Need a second opinion (or someone to manage it all for you)?

At The Furnishing Studio by IHR, we help clients avoid costly mistakes, missed details, and decision fatigue. From space planning and sourcing to ordering and installation, we make the process easy, efficient, and tailored to your home.

Learn More About The Furnishing Studio →