Let's Go Shopping

The time has come to start shopping for your clients! You're going to want to have a list of shops in your local town that you plan to frequent. On days that you have free time, we highly encourage you to go out and visit as many local furniture and decor shops and showrooms as you can. Becoming familiar with what is offered in your town, and the pricing each one has, will help you be able to come up with quotes for your clients much easier. You want to get an idea of who offers different types of styles and different types of pricing models for a variety of client budgets. You don't want to just know the name brand stores, you want to know all of the little thrift shops that have good vintage pieces, and any small local shops that have unique and creative pieces that most chain furniture stores won't. Keep in mind, if you aren't familiar with the furniture buying process, just because they have it on their floor does not necessarily mean you'll be able to get it right away. Know which stores offer products that are grab-and-go and which stores you have to place orders through to wait for the products. Some can take days, where as others can take weeks, if not months.

We encourage you to visit your local stores to get a better understanding of products and pricing, but to leave the "generic" pieces to online shopping. When you're paid to stage & design a client's home, your time is included in that price. If you have specific things in mind, it's easier to shop for what you need online. We encourage you to make the most of your time in local stores when you are looking for really unique and creative, even vintage, items. If you need a basic grey couch, your time could be better served finding it online and making your purchase quickly, instead of running around all over town trying to find it. Below you'll find a list of our favorite furniture stores to shop at. Use these when you can for your basics. This way, what you’ve been paid doesn’t get eaten up by time spent running around town. Online shopping is a life support line if you don't live in a heavily populated town with a large selection of furniture stores. These online stores vary from affordable to high end. 

ONLINE STORES YOU NEED IN YOUR BACK POCKET

REVIEWS:

Keep in mind that most online stores carry a variety of products from a variety of brands. So although the company may have phenomenal reviews doesn't guarantee that all of their products will be of great quality. Be sure to check what other customers says about the quality of each piece, prior to purchasing. You don't want to order a product that looks good on a photo, but in person feels/looks terrible. Some online stores will sell sample products, or send fabrics, for free or for a small fee to see the quality of it up front. You also want to see what the terms and conditions are for companies with their return policies. You want someone that has a fairly open return policy in place, just in case you or your client hate what ends up being delivered. 

PRICING:

When you find a product, don't purchase it from the first site you see. Use the name to see if you can find it for sale on another site. You want to make sure it's the same exact product, and not a cheap mock-up, but some sites will have the same exact product for cheaper. For example, Wayfair and Joss & Main are one and the same, yet their pricing on products on both of their websites vary significantly. Do your due diligence and you may save yourself hundreds of dollars, if not thousands. Those savings can go back into your pocket or be passed onto your clients.

SIZING:

Be sure to review the sizing dimensions of each product and ensure it fits into the space you will be using it for prior to purchasing it. Double checking the dimensions online can save you the headache of having to return the wrong sized product in exchange for another.