Interior designers are responsible for making homes and business spaces look modern, trendy, and inviting while increasing the usability of the areas available. One of the ways that interior designers are changing the modern landscape is by purchasing their decor and furnishings from reputable interior stores. From offering high-end luxury brands to fantastic off-brand lookalikes, interior stores have a wealth of products that can help enhance the existing potential and aesthetics of a given space.
What Makes An Interior Store High Quality?
In a world that’s riddled with fast fashion finds and products that aren’t built to stand the test of time, it’s often hard to discern between a store offering quality wares or those that are simply passable. This is especially a problem when ordering products online as the stock photos are rarely an accurate representation of the exact nature of the product in question. So, what is it that makes an interior store obviously high quality?
*A Solid Return Policy
Many companies are vague or nonchalant about their return policies— if they even have one! Some may even make the claim that all sales are final, which is definitely not a good sign. When gauging the quality of an interior design store, it’s important to consider if the products are allowed to be returned. If so, are there any fees associated or shipping costs that are yours to pay for as a consumer? There are a lot of ways that companies can streamline their returns processes, but not all of them do so.
*Good Reviews
Having a record of solid reviews is another good sign of a trustworthy and reliable interior store. Not having any officially filed complaints or unhappy consumers is always a good sign because it points to the company taking their consumers seriously. It’s also advisable to take into consideration that many stores also offer a myriad of brand name products that aren’t their own. This means that quality can widely vary from product-to-product, therefore, one bad review isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker.
*Fair Shipping And Delivery
Whether shopping for interior products online or offline, it’s important to consider if the company provides fair shipping and delivery options. Some larger pieces may become cost prohibitive to ship and a good deal becomes a bad one when the shipping costs come into play.
*Free Help Or Design Services
This isn’t necessarily an established fact, but many interior stores also have designers on their staff that can help consumers make informed decisions about decorating their spaces. From offering advice about colour to discussing the latest trends, having a professional’s input can make the purchase process more seamless. Having said that, not all stores will offer this service, or they may charge a nominal fee for it. In any case, this is an added benefit if this option is made available to you.
What Types Of Products Are Sold By Interior Stores?
Interior stores have the ability to stock a wide array of products to handle all design needs. These products may all come from different brands or manufacturers, but may also be the flagship brand of the company selling the products in certain instances.
Common categories provided by interior stores include:
- Furniture for all manner of spaces
- Lighting options from ceiling to table
- Wallpapers from various designers
- Paints in trendy modern colours
- Rugs and doormats for outdoors and indoors
- Textiles to customise a living space
- Accent pieces and accessories to personalise any room
- Tableware to complement kitchen areas
In some rare instances, an interior store may also offer seasonal products to help a home become more festive for the holidays. This is, once again, dependent upon the company and the products they offer and isn’t set in stone.
Trendy Vs. Timeless: Which Is Better?
Interior design is completely personal, and what may seem trendy to one person may seem dated or unfashionable to another. Interior stores often fall into two categories: timeless or trendy. Many will offer products that feature the most up-to-date modern trends while they may also have a smaller section dedicated to timeless classics. Stores that often have a rich history of being in business for decades will usually have many classic pieces that interior designers can mix and match for the feeling of old meets new.
Selecting a home interior store that also specialises in a certain type of style can also become beneficial. For example, if someone enjoys a mid-century modern aesthetic, opting for a store that specialises in just that category can help yield better products. Stores that stock a wide variety of wares are much better for designers looking to expand their personal styles and evolve with modern changing trends.
From quality furnishings and accents to a solid return policy, home interior stores should always focus on customer satisfaction. Investing in solid designs and made-to-last products is a good way to effortlessly cut costs in the long haul.
