A Guide to the Top 3 Important Home Purchases

When you’re kitting out a new home, you’ll want to make sure you get a good price for the most important furnishings, without compromising on quality. Read our guide to buying a sofa, a cooker and a toilet to get the most for your money.

I’m Buying… a Sofa

When purchasing a new settee, it’s wise to do lots of research, which can mean spending several hours online finding products you like and also visiting showrooms to get a closer look at models that have caught your eye.

Make sure you’ve measured your sitting room and know what will and won’t fit, and give some thought to whether the sofa you like might dwarf other furnishings in the space. You’ll be able to decide between leather and fabric, and it’s worth requesting fabric swatches if you want to see and feel what the sofa will be like once it’s made if you can’t view it beforehand.

To test the quality of the sofa’s build, lift one of the front corners to about 6 in, by which point the other leg should also have lifted off the ground. If it doesn’t, this is a sign the frame is weak.

Sofas can be expensive purchases, so take a look at what’s available during seasonal sales for the best chance to grab a bargain. It doesn’t hurt to ask if the showroom will do you a deal, or at least provide a little something extra, like a free stain repellent treatment, to sweeten the deal.

I’m Buying… a Lavatory

Buying a toilet for your home is an important choice and again, will require a fair amount of research on your part. Give some thought to whether you want a lavatory with a traditional flush, or something more modern that requires just the push of a button to flush. Many toilets now have water-saving features so, if you’re eco-conscious, this might be something that interests you.

The style of the toilet will also be important, and you might want to think about browsing entire bathroom suites to ensure you achieve a consistent look throughout the space. Most toilets are ceramic but the seats and lids can be made of a range of materials, including wood and plastic.

Many modern lavatories are wall-mounted, helping to achieve a contemporary look in the bathroom, while there are also ‘comfort height’ toilets to choose from, which are higher than their traditional counterparts to make them easier to use.

I’m Buying… a Cooker

A cooker is a major investment that should last for years, so you won’t want to risk getting your purchase wrong. Firstly, think about what type of cooker you need – electric or gas? A specialist cast-iron Aga or a modern Beko fan oven?

Take a look at the features available to figure out what you’ll need, whether it’s a single oven and a four-ring cooker, an oven with a separate grill and a hob, or some other combination. After all, you don’t want to be paying extra for features you won’t use.

Once you’ve worked out what your needs are, you can start comparing models, at which point it’s wise to look at reviews given by other consumers. This should have narrowed down your list somewhat; next, check the cooker you like has a guarantee and how long it lasts for. Price is also an important consideration, but the cheapest model isn’t always the best – take advantage of special offers so you can get the best model for your requirements, as well as your budget.