Buying a new item of furniture can prove to be a very important decision, which if rushed, can spoil the whole excitement. Not only is it likely to cost you a substantial amount of money, it will also lead to a couple of choices: do you go through the hassle of trying to return it, or negotiating an exchange? Or do you just try to live with it, even thought it looks out of place, and the style doesn't suit the room? The bottom line is, when selecting and buying furniture, impulse buys regularly end in disappointment.

Before you take the plunge, ask yourself the following questions:

How much space do I have available?

This will determine the size, or the number of pieces to buy. If you are working with a small space, consider something with a dual purpose. A larger space would allow a more extravagant piece. The point to remember is to scale accordingly.

What is the space used for?

If an item is being purchased for a room where people come to relax and unwind, select living room furniture which is comfortable, and allows you to relax. The furniture should enhance and complement your lifestyle.

Who uses the space?

Dependent on the room where the furniture will be placed, it should be considered who may be sharing it. For example, selecting a piece of furniture for your personal home office would be an individual choice. However, should others will be sharing it, for example, in a family kitchen, materials or colour schemes should be given more thought and consideration.

Are there other pieces of furniture in the room presently?

Any piece of furniture, or artwork that you already have in the room will provide a great foundation to build upon, as they will help to add a consistent theme or feeling in the room. It is important to consider the existing pieces of furniture in the room when looking for a new acquisition, otherwise the room could look unbalanced. If you've got mostly traditional furniture, then it's probably best to continue with that theme. Careful consideration should be paid as to whether or not your new piece is going to be used as the 'main attraction' in the room, or play a more secondary role and act as more of a background piece.

What if I've got new space to work with?

Before you head off to buy a whole new set of furniture, it is a good idea to look through magazines, catalogues, and websites, to collate images and ideas of the products and styles that you like. This exercise will help you to develop your own personal style, and even give you other ideas of how make additions to other rooms.

How much use do you intend to get from it?

Identifying how long you plan to make use of it will determine how much you should really spend on it. If you aren't sure that you will use it much, or you like to change your surroundings or home decor frequently, then it's probably not a wise idea to buy expensive furniture.

What kind of budget is available?

If you have a limited budget, you can cancel out some possibilities straight away. Whatever your budget, there is a massive variety of furniture available to fit any taste or budget.