Smart shopping: How to make the most of the interior and furniture sales

Research and planning are essential to nab true sales bargains

The Cloud Granite modular sofa seats four in a corner design, from EZ Living Interiors.

Here's a good question to ask yourself when chasing bargains: Would you buy it if it wasn’t on sale?

If you’re not prepared to buy at full price, is it worth spending even half of that? But if you coveted a sofa, a chair to have all to yourself, a table on which to unleash your tablescaping notions but hesitated at the price, it’s a thrill to find it marked down.

“If it’s something you’ve been on the lookout for already, finding something you love and need at a reduced price is a true bargain to us,” says Phoebe Holland, owner of Rugs.ie, who encourages planning before hitting the shops but pinpoints one particular mistake bargain-hunters make.

“It’s waiting for further reductions on something they have their eye on,” she says. “As we sell a lot of unique pieces, our customers move fast on our one-of-a-kind rugs at sale time.”

Paula Condon, interior designer at award-winning retailer EZ Living Interiors, defines a bargain as not being solely based on the price but also on the overall value to the customer.

“It’s about making a smart investment in a product that enhances your home,” she says. “Quality and style last beyond the initial appeal of a discount, ensuring that you are happy with your purchase in the long run. To spot a genuine bargain, we encourage our customers to look further than the price tag.”

Rugs finish a room and can bring colour and texture to the home. Picture: Rugs.ie

For many of us, sales bring out the child-in-a-sweetshop mentality, coveting so much that we lose our powers of discernment. Paula offers practical advice for avoiding this and having a successful shopping trip.

“Firstly, it’s essential to do your research before heading into a sale,” she says. “Understand the products, their features and what styles you gravitate towards. Look out for fabrics and finishes as indicators of good value for money.

“Oftentimes, shoppers are enticed by discounted prices and can make quick purchases without fully considering if the item is suitable for their home. Quality is sometimes overlooked in the search for a bargain, with customers forgetting to consider important aspects such as measurements, material, quality, and colour. 

"For customers looking to experiment with trends in their home, it can be tempting to dive in and purchase a vibrant new sofa without considering how it will fit within your existing scheme.”

The sales ought to begin at home, she maintains, where her tips for a focused shopping experience involve assessing and identifying specific areas requiring an update.

“Consider your personal style, whether it’s contemporary, classic, or eclectic,” she says. “Look to narrow down your choices to complement your existing décor. Consider your lifestyle, prioritising durability and easy maintenance, especially in busy households with children or pets. Opt for items that you genuinely love in terms of both look and feel to make a long-term, cost-effective investment.

Tradition meets contemporary in the Camden Rustic oak table to seat six to eight diners, from EZ Living Interiors.

“Familiarise yourself with available products before your visit to save time and avoid distractions, allowing you to focus on items meeting your specific requirements. Consider why you are looking for a new piece of furniture: Is your sofa long-loved and you’re now looking for something fresh? Take into account what has and hasn’t worked for you as a guide.”

Kim Fitzgerald, co-founder of home organising company A Sorted Affair, also suggests an assessment of your home with a decluttering session to see what you need.

“It’s a chance to make space for the new items entering our home whether by gifting or purchasing. Homes are put under pressure coming up to Christmas, so January is the perfect time to donate what you no longer need. 

Before bringing more purchases into the home, have a declutter first and assess your needs. Picture: A Sorted Affair

"We have had many clients thinking they need a bigger kitchen, but by clearing and removing items they revealed an uncluttered functional space and there was no need for expensive additions.”

But she cautions against refilling the space with mindless purchases, especially from discount websites offering lower quality at knockdown prices.

“People are not considering where this ends up after the ‘few wears’. There is so much mindless, panic buying at this time of year. We all love a bargain, but we need to think about the source of these items, the longevity and, more importantly, where they end up when they quickly become broken or dysfunctional. In the long-term, that bargain will cost you and the planet.”

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• Instagram.com/rugs.ie
• Instagram.com/ezlivinginteriors