Top 10 Furniture Buying Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Not Measuring Properly
The most common and costly mistake is purchasing furniture without accurate measurements. Many Australians return furniture because it doesn’t fit through doorways, overwhelms rooms, or blocks important pathways.
How to avoid it:
- Measure your room dimensions, doorways, hallways, and staircases before shopping
- Create a floor plan with furniture dimensions clearly marked
- Use painter’s tape on floors to visualise furniture footprints
- Measure the diagonal dimensions of sofas and beds for tight spaces
- Check if pieces can be disassembled for easier transport
- Account for skirting boards that may reduce usable floor space
- Remember: measure twice, purchase once
Mistake 2: Prioritising Price Over Quality
While staying within budget is important, the cheapest option rarely proves economical long-term. Furniture that needs replacing every few years costs more than investing in quality pieces initially.
How to avoid it:
- Research construction methods and materials before buying
- Look for solid timber frames, proper joinery, and high-density foam
- Read customer reviews focusing on longevity and durability
- Calculate cost-per-year rather than just the upfront price
- Consider quality pieces for high-use items like sofas and beds
- Use sales strategically to afford better quality within your budget
- Many Australian retailers offer interest-free payment plans for quality furniture
Budget allocation tip: Spend 40% of your furniture budget on the living room, 30% on the bedroom, 20% on the dining room, and 10% on accents and accessories.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Your Lifestyle Needs
Buying furniture that looks beautiful but doesn’t suit your lifestyle leads to frustration. A white linen sofa might be stunning in a magazine, but it’s impractical for families with young children or pets.
How to avoid it:
Honestly assess your lifestyle before purchasing
- With pets: Choose durable, cleanable fabrics like microfiber or leather; avoid delicate materials
- With young children: Prioritise washable slipcovers and stain-resistant treatments
- Active households: Select sturdy construction that can handle daily use
- Frequent entertainers: Ensure adequate, flexible seating arrangements
- Minimalists: Invest in fewer, higher-quality multifunctional pieces
Real-life test: Before buying, ask yourself: “Will I still love this in 5 years, and will it still function well for my family?”
Mistake 4: Buying Everything at Once
Furnishing an entire home in one shopping trip often results in mismatched styles, budget overruns, and pieces that don’t work well together once installed.
How to avoid it:
Take a phased approach to furnishing your home
- Phase 1: Essential pieces (bed, sofa, dining table)
- Phase 2: Supporting furniture (side tables, storage, additional seating)
- Phase 3: Accent pieces and decorative elements
Live in your space before committing to every piece. This approach spreads costs over time and prevents rushed decisions. Allows you to find perfect pieces rather than settling
Bonus benefit: You’ll understand how you actually use your space, leading to better furniture choices that truly serve your needs.
Mistake 5: Following Trends Too Closely
While staying current is appealing, furniture trends change rapidly, and pieces purchased solely because they’re fashionable can quickly look dated.
How to avoid it:
- Choose classic, timeless pieces for major furniture investments
- Express current trends through easily changeable elements (cushions, artwork, rugs)
- Ask yourself: “Would this look good in a home from 20 years ago?”
- If yes, it’s likely timeless; if no, it might be too trendy
- Quality classic furniture holds value and remains stylish across decades
Trend vs. timeless examples:
- Timeless: Chesterfield sofa, mid-century modern dining table, classic wingback chair
- Trendy: All-millennial pink furniture, industrial pipe shelving, ultra-modern sculptural pieces
Use trendy pieces strategically for smaller items or rooms you’re willing to update more frequently.
Mistake 6: Forgetting About Doorways and Delivery Access
Many Australians excitedly purchase furniture only to discover it won’t fit through their front door, up stairwells, or around tight corners. This is particularly common in apartments, townhouses, and older homes.
How to avoid it:
- Measure all doorways, hallways, and stairwells along the delivery path
- Check elevator dimensions if you live in an apartment
- Consider the furniture’s largest dimension when packaged or assembled
- Ask retailers about assembly options (some furniture can be assembled on-site)
- Verify delivery and assembly services offered
- Check return policies if furniture doesn’t fit
- For large pieces, consider removing doors temporarily during delivery
Old home tip: Homes built before 1980 often have narrower doorways and hallways. Modular furniture is your friend.
Mistake 7: Overlooking Comfort for Style
A beautiful sofa that’s uncomfortable to sit on or a dining chair that causes backaches might look perfect, but will ultimately disappoint. Australian homes emphasise comfortable, livable spaces, not showrooms.
How to avoid it:
- Always test furniture before purchasing
- Sit on sofas for several minutes, not just seconds
- Check seat depth (should support your thighs without pressure on the back of your knees)
- Test back support and cushion firmness
- For dining chairs, sit at a table to ensure proper height and comfort
- Bring a book and pretend to read on a chair to test comfort
- If purchasing online, thoroughly research return policies
Comfort checklist for sofas:
- Seat depth: 50-60cm for most people
- Seat height: 45-50cm from the floor
- Back height: Should support your shoulders and head
- Armrest height: Should allow relaxed shoulders when resting arms
Mistake 8: Neglecting Storage Needs
Underestimating storage requirements is a common mistake that leads to cluttered, disorganised homes. Australian homes often have less built-in storage than comparable international properties.
How to avoid it:
- Assess storage needs room by room before purchasing
- Count clothing items, books, kitchenware, and belongings
- Plan for 20% more storage than you currently have (we all accumulate)
- Look for dual-purpose furniture (ottomans with storage, beds with drawers)
- Maximise vertical storage with tall bookcases and wardrobes
- In small homes, every piece should either serve multiple functions or be exceptionally beautiful
Storage calculation guide:
- Average wardrobe needs: 120-150cm hanging space per person
- Books: 30cm shelf space holds approximately 25-30 average books
- Kitchen storage: Plan 1.5x your current dish and cookware collection
Mistake 9: Ignoring Room Lighting When Selecting Colours
Furniture colours can look dramatically different under showroom lighting compared to your home’s natural and artificial light. North-facing rooms in Australian homes receive different light than south-facing spaces, significantly affecting how colours appear.
How to avoid it:
- Request fabric swatches or samples to view in your home’s lighting
- Check samples at different times of day (morning, afternoon, evening)
- Take photos of furniture in showrooms and review them in your home
- Consider your room’s orientation and natural light levels
- North-facing rooms: Receive cooler, indirect light, and warm colours balance this
- South-facing rooms: Receive warmer light, and cooler colours can balance brightness
- Darker furniture can make poorly lit rooms feel smaller
- Lighter pieces reflect available light to brighten spaces
Pro tip: View samples against your wall colour and existing furniture to ensure cohesion.
Mistake 10: Forgetting About Climate and Maintenance
Australia’s diverse climate conditions significantly impact furniture longevity. Purchasing furniture without considering maintenance requirements often leads to disappointment and premature replacement.
How to avoid it:
- Research material performance in your specific climate
- Ask retailers about maintenance requirements before purchasing
- Humid areas: Avoid furniture prone to mould or warping (unsealed timber, natural fibres)
- Coastal homes: Choose corrosion-resistant materials and finishes
- High UV exposure: Select fade-resistant fabrics or plan for regular replacement
- Consider whether you’re willing to maintain timber furniture with regular treatment
- Factor in professional cleaning costs for upholstered pieces
Maintenance reality check:
- Leather sofas: Condition every 6-12 months
- Timber furniture: Oil or polish every 3-6 months, depending on the climate
- Fabric upholstery: Professional cleaning every 12-18 months
- Outdoor furniture: Clean and cover during off-seasons
Creating Your Furniture Selection Strategy
Now that you understand room-by-room requirements, designer principles, and common mistakes to avoid, here’s how to create a comprehensive furniture selection strategy.
Your furniture buying action plan:
- Create a priority list based on immediate needs and budget
- Set a realistic budget with 10-15% contingency for unexpected costs
- Measure everything at least twice before shopping
- Research Australian retailers comparing quality, pricing, and customer service
- Test furniture in person whenever possible
- Request samples to view in your home’s lighting
- Read reviews from verified Australian customers
- Verify delivery logistics and assembly requirements
- Understand return policies before making final purchases
- Purchase gradually to ensure each piece works in your space
Essential pieces to prioritise first:
- Beds and mattresses (quality sleep is non-negotiable)
- Sofa (the centrepiece of your living room)
- Dining table and chairs (if you eat meals together)
- Basic storage (wardrobes, dressers, shelving)
Once these foundations are in place, add complementary and accent pieces that enhance functionality and style.
The Value of Professional Help
While this guide provides comprehensive information for selecting furniture independently, professional interior designers offer valuable expertise, particularly for challenging spaces or significant investments.
When to consider hiring a designer:
- You’re furnishing an entire home and feel overwhelmed
- You have a challenging space (awkward layout, difficult dimensions)
- You’re making a significant investment (over $20,000)
- You want access to trade-only suppliers and discounts
- You lack confidence in your design decisions
Budget-friendly designer options:
- Hourly consultations for specific rooms or challenges ($150-300/hour)
- Online design services (starting from $500 per room)
- Shop-with-me services where designers accompany you to stores
- Many retailers offer free design consultations with purchases
Australian interior designers understand local climate conditions, access trade-only suppliers, and can create cohesive designs that maximise your budget. A small investment in professional advice often saves more than it costs by preventing purchasing errors.
Final Thoughts: Creating Your Perfect Australian Home
Furnishing your home is a journey, not a destination. The most beautiful, functional homes evolve as your needs, tastes, and circumstances change.
Remember these key principles:
- Measure carefully and plan thoroughly before purchasing
- Prioritise quality over trends for major investments
- Choose furniture suited to your lifestyle and Australia’s climate
- Test for comfort, not just aesthetics
- Plan adequate storage for organised living
- Take your time and enjoy the process
The perfect furniture isn’t necessarily the most expensive or most trendy; it’s the pieces that fit your space, suit your lifestyle, and bring you comfort and joy every day.
Whether you’re furnishing a compact Melbourne apartment, a spacious Brisbane family home, or a coastal retreat in Western Australia, these principles will guide you toward furniture choices you’ll love for years to come. Take your time, do your research, ask questions, and trust your instincts. Your home is your most significant investment, and the furniture you choose plays a crucial role in making it a place you’re proud to call home.
