10 Things to Avoid When Buying Furniture in Mexico
Shopping for furniture in Mexico offers a fun, unique opportunity to explore a wealth of craftsmanship and design. However, to make the most of this experience and avoid disappointment, there are important things to consider, look out for, and avoid. Here's a simplified guide to help you make furniture and decor choices that are both beautiful and practical for your Mexican home.
Forgetting to Measure your Space (Properly)
It's easy to fall in love with a piece of furniture without considering if it truly fits your space—both in size and style. Before making a purchase, measure your available space and consider the existing decor. Think about the vertical space as well. A piece that is too large or too tall can overwhelm a room. A piece that may be great alone but goes against your current design or color scheme can end up looking awkward and out of place. Don't know how? Here's an easy guide!
Overlooking Quality
Mexican furniture is known for its quality, but not all items are the same. Take your time to check the quality of the materials and construction, and ask questions before you buy. When buying an upholstered sofa or chair, ask what the fabric is made of, if it will breathe in our humid climate, fade in the sun, resist stains? Look for solid wood construction of wood, quality seamless joinery, and durable finishes. If shopping or ordering online, ask for detailed photos and descriptions.
Not Budgeting Enough
A lot of clients think furniture in Mexico will cost less than in Canada or the USA, but the prices are about the same, especially if you're buying your furniture at quality furniture stores. Finding good deals takes time, research, and patience. It's important to plan how much you're going to spend carefully. If you're not sure what things cost, ask someone who knows. For example, to furnish a two-bedroom condo, including the dining room, living room, and patio, you might spend $15,000 to $20,000 USD. You could spend less, but you might have to choose cheaper quality for some things.
Choosing Style Over Comfort and Functionality
While the visual appeal of a piece may be what first draws you in, comfort and functionality are just as important. Avoid choosing style over substance. Consider your lifestyle.. Ask yourself how often it will be used. Furniture should not only beautify your space but also enhance your experience of living in it.
Rushing the Process
Believing you can furnish your house in a week is unrealistic. Even if you buy every floor model you find at a big box store, organizing delivery will take time. If you're ordering furniture or getting custom pieces made, it will most likely take 4-8 weeks, sometimes longer if it's high season. Give yourself a realistic timeline, then add a week or two. It will reduce the stress when things are (inevitably) ready and delivered a bite late.
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Forgetting About Future Maintenance
The piece looks great now, but how is it going to hold up? This is especially important to think about when purchasing furniture in Mexico due to the heat and humidity. Some materials may require regular treatments or specific cleaning/sealing methods. Try to opt for performance fabrics, real leather, solid wood construction, high-resiliency foam, and powder-coated or galvanized metal alloys.
Buying All at Once
Buying all your furniture at once might seem like a quick way to get it done, but it won’t do anything for the design of your home (unless you have a design plan). One of the secrets of making a space look unique and personalized is buying the things you love over time. Buy the most important pieces first, or a piece you just can't live without, and add to your collection when something special catches your eye. This can also be important if you’re on a budget.
Buying Matching Sets
This is another good reason to stagger the process of buying furniture and decor. A cookie-cutter bedroom or living room set with the same color and the same look, can make your house look staged, sterile and boring. There are better, more interesting ways to make your room look cohesive. Try mixing similar wood tones, patterns, textures and color palettes to bring the room together in style.
Overlooking Transport and Delivery
Consider how you’ll get your new furniture home, especially if you’re shopping in furniture hubs like GDL or Mexico City. Overlooking transport and delivery logistics can lead to unexpected costs and damage to your furniture. Always get the details about your delivery; what’s included (unpacking, installation, etc.), where they will drop it off (is it curb-side, first floor, or to your door?) and a final cost. Always plan ahead and choose reputable delivery services that specialize in furniture handling.
Impulse Buying and Buying into Trends
With so many beautiful and unique options, it’s easy to make impulsive decisions. This also goes hand in hand with buying what’s trendy. We all love a good trend, and it can be implemented in small ways that can be replaces easily when the time comes. Trends move on quickly, especially in today’s fast-paced, fast-produced world. Taking the time to reflect on how a piece fits with your needs and existing decor can save you from buyer’s remorse, and create a space that feels personalized and timeless.
Failing to Check for Warranty or Return Policies
Understanding the warranty or return policies is crucial, especially when investing in high-value pieces. Avoid the mistake of not asking about these policies. Knowing you have protection in case of defects or issues can provide peace of mind with your purchase.
There are a lot of things to consider when buying furniture in Mexico. And while we don’t always know what we want, we know what we don’t want to happen! Hopefully you feel a little more prepared to venture into the wonderful world of Mexican furniture and decor.
If you want help, let Sadie May Designs create a vision for you with designs, layouts, furniture boards and ordering/delivery options! Contact us today.
