Posted on: Tuesday, December 14, 2004
A guy's guide to buying furniture
| • | What to look for when purchasing furniture |
By Sue Doerfler
Arizona Republic
Steve Arbogast's living room has a minimalist look: an oversize chair, ottoman, television set and TV stand.
Gannett News Service photos Like many men, Arbogast, a ticket broker, finds furniture buying challenging. The American Furniture Manufacturers Association, a trade association in High Point, N.C., has studied men's shopping preferences and concludes that most would rather do anything than shop.
"Furniture buying is one of the most intimidating processes that people go through," says Micah Popa, who oversees Mor Furniture for Less showrooms in the Phoenix area. "Guys don't want to be embarrassed by someone saying, 'Why did you buy that?' "
"Making the wrong decision is scary," Michael Minkus says. He knows from experience: When he bought furniture for the living room of his central Phoenix home, he wasn't sure about the color.
"I took a chance," says Minkus, who owns a marketing-design company. When he told people he bought a contemporary-style purple couch, they were incredulous, he said. However, no one has made negative comments about it after seeing it, he added.
How do you avoid unwanted comments? How do you choose the right furniture for your home?
• Develop a plan. Arbogast's game plan is research. He has spent seven months in the hunt for the perfect comfortable, affordable and well-built couch. He has researched sofa styles and fabrics. He has compared prices and financing options by visiting numerous furniture stores and estate sales.
He's in no hurry, although after months spent looking, he feels it's time to make a decision.
Minkus employs a different strategy, combining research with spontaneity.
• Furniture pieces that provide comfort and relaxation. Color and specific styling take a back seat to comfort. • Men who were asked to respond to the question, "My favorite piece of furniture is my," answered recliners, beds and sofas, according to an American Furniture Manufacturers Association survey. • A sofa, chair or bed when they are ready to purchase pieces that are timeless rather than trendy. Sources: American Furniture Manufacturers Association; designer Ann Marie Leonard, Scottsdale, Ariz. Another approach is treating furniture shopping like a business transaction.
Understand the value of the bottom line, says designer Ann Marie Leonard. Determine the pieces you need and find ones that fit your budget.
• Establish a budget and stick to it. Spontaneity can kill a budget, says Minkus, who feels the $500 he paid for the bench was well-spent. But several $500 unplanned purchases can mean not being able to afford other items you need. • Set priorities. For most men, that means comfort, says furniture store manager David Rodriguez. Minkus chose a brown leather couch/chaise longue, the main seating in his entertainment room, specifically because it was comfortable.
"People sit on it and they don't want to get out," he says.
In addition to comfort, guys want furniture that looks cool.
• Ask for help. Many men bring along girlfriends or wives of friends when furniture shopping, says Popa. Moms, known for dishing out advice, also can help. Women emphasize color and style choices, space planning and furniture scale, things guys are less likely to take interest in, he said. Another thought is to find someone whose decorating style appeals to you and ask him or her how they created the look, Minkus says.
• Trust your instincts. Arbogast says he previously relied on friends' advice when he bought furniture. "I used to have no taste," he says. "I'd buy what everyone else liked."
That furniture wasn't comfortable, he says. Now that he has his own home, he wants comfortable furniture that he likes, he said.
The 12-by-30-foot room has plenty of space for more furniture. Arbogast, a 40-year-old bachelor with a 6-year-old daughter, Maizy, hasn't bought any yet, but topping his wish list is a sectional sofa to place along two walls.
Michael Minkus bought a contemporary-style couch for the entertainment room of his central Phoenix home.
Steve Arbogast tries out a sectional sofa. Checking for comfort is one of the most important things men can do when shopping for furniture.
If in doubt about what kind of furniture to buy, experts recommend either talking to a friend whose style you like or taking along girlfriends, wives or even moms when going shopping.
He bought most pieces, including a brown leather couch and rustic-design hutches and armoires, after checking prices and styles at many stores. Several other pieces, including a purple upholstered bench with brushed-aluminum legs that matches the living room's contemporary look, were spur-of-the-moment purchases.
WHAT MEN PREFER IN HOME FURNISHINGS
