Buying furniture for your home is not an easy task.  Selecting pieces that will bring you years of enjoyable use requires some thought and planning.  Here are a few tips to help you make the decision easier:

• Purpose
  Before heading to the store, decide how the item will be used.  For example, if you’re in the market for a china cabinet, does it need to be extra large to hold the numerous pieces, or smaller to fit into a tight corner in your dining room?  Should it be open with lots of glass to display your treasured items, or closed to hide boxes and other knick-knacks? 
• The Right Size
  Also decide what an ideal size would be given your current home and requirements?  Is that TV entertainment center deep enough to hold a standard television, or the antique linen closet wide enough to hold all your clothes?  Be aware of American and European differences in bed and mattress sizes, as well as table and chair heights.
• Measure Before You Go
  Be sure to measure your wall and floor space, doors, stairs and ceiling heights to be sure that the piece you purchase will fit both into your house and in the desired location.  Also, will there be ample room for movement around the piece once it is in place.
• Showroom vs. Home
  Understand that the way a piece of furniture looks in the showroom may not be the same as it does in your home.  Try to imagine the item in your home, given your current location and furnishings.
• Multipurpose and Modular
  Given that most of us move a number of times throughout our lives, it is helpful if the piece(s) can have multiple purposes.  Perhaps a TV entertainment center could also work as a computer cabinet or as a linen closet in a different time and location.  Knock-downs and modular items can be helpful when moving into a new home with different floor plans.

• Antique, Reproduction or New Construction?
  Given the above information, think about whether or not the piece should or could be an antique, a reproduction, or new construction.  Each has benefits and disadvantages to consider, including cost, style, look, sturdiness, etc.
• Type of Wood, Color and Style
  Since there are multiple woods, colors and furniture styles available, having some idea of what will fit with your needs and current furnishings may help you narrow your search.  Hard woods (such as oak, teak, or ash) are sturdier and stand up to repeated moves better than softer woods like pine, although pine antiques are readily available throughout Europe at an affordable price.
• Adding on to Your Collection
  Be sure to ask the sales associates if the furniture line you are interested in will be available in the future.  If not, it may be difficult to purchase additional items at a later date.
• Finding Your Furniture while Junking, at Flea Markets or in a Store
  Don’t forget that while junking can be fun and flea markets good for finding some real bargains, pieces from either source may have woodworm or other infestations, wood rot, and/or be in need of major repairs.  Additionally, transportation can be tricky.
• Decorating
  While in a furniture shop observe how they have decorated the room and how they have placed the various accessories. This could give you ideas on how to arrange your new furniture and decorate your house.