What is the first thing you look for, when choosing furniture?
Everyone has their own answer.
Some people are drawn to natural materials like hardwood, others fall in love with beautiful colors, while many are attracted to clever layouts like hidden drawers, mirrors, or unique shapes. But beyond personal taste, there are a few crucial factors you should always consider before choosing any furniture, whether you’re shopping online or visiting a physical showroom.
With the rise of technology and changing lifestyles, most people today are shifting their focus from traditional furniture to modern designs.
Clean lines, smart features, and luxury finishes are now at the heart of what many buyers look for. In this post, we’ll focus on modern furniture and the luxury feel it brings to your space. If you love sleek styles, hidden compartments, and pieces that blend beauty with function, stay tuned. This is for you.
Factors to consider when choosing furniture
Here are the most 6 important factors to consider when choosing furniture, arranged according to their classified numbers in order
6. ⚙️ Functionality
When you want to buy any furniture piece, you need to understand its intended functionality.
I have seen people storing clothes in a shoe and handbag rack. They might fit, but that’s not what the piece is designed for. As furniture manufacturers, we build each item with a specific purpose in mind. Placing clothes in a wardrobe will always be safer, more organized, and visually appealing compared to a cupboard meant for utensils.
Function matters.
Using furniture according to its design not only protects your items but also extends the shelf life of the furniture itself. It helps maintain your space’s beauty, flow, and cleanliness. So before you buy, ask yourself: Is this piece truly made for what I need?
If your answer is yes, then you’re on the right track in choosing furniture for your home, office, or any other space. Now, let’s explore the next important factor to consider…
5. 📍 Location and Space Availability
Let’s say you plan to buy a piece of furniture for your bedroom maybe a Dressing table or a bed then before Making order or purchase, you should know where you are going to place it, this include size of the area, location from the window, how compact the room is and this not only for a room but for any location you plan to use a furniture should be located first before choosing furniture.
This will help determine what kind of furniture you’re going to buy and it goes together with your functionality, let’s see what happens to Amina, a 23-year-old girl living in a single rented room, Mbagala Kingugi kwa Dumba
“My space was too small to fit a full kitchen cabinet for my gas stove, and I also needed storage for rice, flour, spices, and a cupboard for utensils. I decided to speak with a furniture manufacturer, and I was advised to buy a kitchen cabinet with a one-door cupboard. It felt like a miracle. It fit perfectly in the space I had intended”
Now you understand! why you need to know your space before making an order, if you are not good on measuring tape, then use rope instead, then go with that rope to a furniture professional to get what fits for you. Don’t rush to order something if you’re not even sure it fits your space.
4. 🧵 Material and Durability
Materials carry the true nature of furniture.
Let’s say you want to buy furniture for your kitchen, you already know where to place it and what you’ll use it for. But in daily use, kitchen always have oil spills, Water and high temperatures. That’s why you need to focus on materials that offer, water and heat resistance. Material used determines how well the furniture will perform and how long it will last.
Always ask the manufacturer or read the product description to understand what materials were used to craft the furniture. I’m not saying you must buy only hardwood furniture or Marine board furniture, materials should be chosen based on how the furniture will be used and how long you expect it to last. Don’t be fooled with Smoothness only
3. 🎨 Style and Layout
I won’t say much about this part, because most people focus on style and layout as their only priority. But let me reopen your perception. Furniture needs to be stylish in a way that matches your personal taste, and well-structured to suit your usage like drawers, mirrors, or sliding doors. There’s no limit when it comes to choosing style or layout. What matters most is selecting a layout that won’t harm you physically or psychologically. Choose what’s truly good for you.
I’ve seen customers change their minds just because someone else said so. But in reality, what’s good for you isn’t necessarily good for someone else.
2. 🧍♂️ Ergonomic Support
This is something many people tend to forget.
May be due to human nature on forgetting what is important and focus on extra things, let me make it clear why is it the second one, you can buy anything in this life, luxury car, houses, mansions and much more but health is a thing you can’t buy with money (old saying) nowadays we say Health is much expensive than anything in this universe. Assume how much it will cost to cure spinal code which have been affected by your own money.Think positive, the first thing to consider should be your health and your lovely one.
Ergonomic support is where furniture meets your health needs.
Poor ergonomic design can harm your body and your loved ones’ bodies too. So before buying any furniture, make sure to check for ergonomic support. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about long-term wellness.
👉 For more details on ergonomic furniture, read this post. “Your 5-Minute Ergonomic Self-Assessment Checklist“
1. 💰 Budget
Smart furniture shopping isn’t about choosing the cheapest option or the most expensive one to show prestige; it’s about focusing on your budget.
Before buying any piece of furniture, you need to know what you plan to spend. This will guide all your decisions. That’s why, when you find a piece you like, the first thing to check is the price. Then, look at the ergonomic support and go through all the other factors one by one.
Do you agree with this approach, or do you see it differently?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. I welcome constructive feedback and would be glad to be corrected if needed.
About Author
Rajabu Chilumba
Nutritionist and Founder, Utaipenda Furniture.
Tanzanian
