Top 5 Don'ts of buying furniture

DON'T Leave home without a tape measure! This sounds like a basic thing to bring with you, but how many times have you been to IKEA and had to use a tape measure? More often than not the dimensions will be there for you, but its Murphy's Law that the desk you want won't have its measurements and all the staff are on lunch the second you walk in the store, this point leads to the next point

DON'T Start shopping until you have a good idea what you want! Prepare yourself by taking measurements, browsing catalogues and looking online before you hit the stores regardless if it's bedroom or living room furniture. You need to know what space you have available before you can look for what you need.

DON'T Impulse Buy - You have to live with it for a long time, and you could be looking at spending a lot of money. Ask to take a photo on your mobile or digital camera, a sample of the fabric, and the measurements and go home and see if it'll work in the room and you really want it.

DON'T Take an Entourage - the more opinions you get will lead to more confusion! Go with the other person you live with or a friend for a second opinion on if that table is big enough for the dining room, or if that workstation is good for the home office.

DON'T Ignore the salespersons help - yes, they do want you to buy something, but remember, they also know a lot from what the product is made of to what the difference is between products and can decipher the codes and warranties. Plus companies want your repeat business so the more help you receive the more likely you are to return due to positive experiences