Visiting a Furniture Store: What to Bring and What to Ask
By Mark and Denise, owners of Oak Unlimited Furniture, family-run in Bowmanville since 1995 | Last updated September 2026
Quick answer: Bring room measurements, the size of doorways and stairways, photos of the room in daylight, and a sample of anything you are matching, such as a fabric or a flooring offcut. Ask about wood and stain options, custom sizes, lead time, delivery and warranty before you order.
Knowing what to bring to a furniture store turns a visit from browsing into deciding. It also saves you a second trip to check a measurement you did not take.
Here is the checklist we would give a friend before they came in.
What should you bring to a furniture store?
Bring the measurements of the room and the wall where the piece will go, the width of doorways and stair turns along the delivery route, and photos of the room in natural light. If you are matching existing furniture, flooring or fabric, bring a sample or a close-up photo.
Room and wall measurements. Include windows, vents and outlets that affect placement.
Doorways and stairs. Measure the narrowest point along the route into the room.
Photos in daylight. They help you judge stain colours against your floors and walls.
Samples. A fabric swatch, a flooring offcut or a cabinet door photo makes matching much easier.
If you are choosing a finish, read our guide on how to choose a stain colour for solid wood furniture before you come in.
How do you measure a room for new furniture?
Measure the full length and width of the room, then measure the specific wall or area where the piece will go, noting windows, doors, vents and outlets. Next, measure every doorway, hallway and stair turn along the delivery route, because a piece that fits the room still has to get there.
A tape measure and a quick sketch are all you need. Draw the room as a simple rectangle, mark the doors and windows, and write the measurements directly on it. Include the height under windows and between the floor and any wall-mounted TV or artwork.
For dining tables, allow about three feet between the table edge and the nearest wall so chairs can be pulled out. For dressers, leave room in front to open the drawers fully and stand comfortably. Our guide on how to choose a solid wood dresser goes into more detail on sizing.
Finally, use painter's tape to mark the footprint of the piece on your floor at home. Living with the outline for a day tells you more than any number.
What should you look for when you inspect furniture in store?
When you inspect furniture in store, open every drawer, look at the joints, run your hand over the finish, and sit in any chair or sofa for several minutes. Well-built solid wood furniture feels solid, drawers run smoothly and stay level, and the finish looks even in natural light.
Check the back and underside of the piece as well as the front. Quality makers finish surfaces you do not normally see, and the construction there tells you a great deal about the construction everywhere else.
If you are ordering a piece in a different wood or stain from the floor model, ask to see that combination on another piece in the store or on the finish samples.
What questions should you ask before ordering furniture?
Ask which woods, stains, hardware and sizes are available for the piece you like, how long it will take to arrive, how delivery works, what the warranty covers and how to care for the piece. The answers tell you exactly what you are committing to before anything is built.
What can be customized on this piece?
How long is the lead time? At Oak Unlimited, it is typically 6 to 8 weeks, and up to 14 weeks for custom orders.
How does delivery work? Our own team delivers, sets up and removes the packaging.
What does the warranty cover? Our finished furniture carries a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials.
How should I care for it? Ask about cleaning and humidity, since solid wood does best between 40% and 60% relative humidity.
Our FAQ page covers lead times, delivery and warranty in more detail, and our guide on how to care for solid wood furniture covers care.
Why visit in person instead of shopping online?
Visiting in person lets you sit in the chairs, open the drawers and see the wood and stain colours in real light, which photos cannot show accurately. Our website shows only part of what we offer, so a visit is also the best way to see the full range.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment to visit Oak Unlimited?
No appointment is needed during store hours, Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. After-hours appointments are available on request if those times do not work for you.
Should I bring photos of my room?
Yes. Photos of the room in daylight, taken from the doorway and from each corner, help us suggest pieces and finishes that suit your space. Include your flooring, wall colour and any furniture that is staying, because stain colours look very different next to different floors.
What should I do after my visit?
After your visit, confirm your measurements at home, mark the footprint of the piece with painter's tape, and look at any finish options again in your own light. When you are ready, contact us with the piece, wood, stain and size you have chosen, and we will prepare your quote.
What if I cannot find exactly what I want?
Because most of the furniture we sell is built to order, you can often adjust an existing design by changing the wood, stain, hardware or size. Bring a photo of a piece you love, and we will help you find the closest match or a way to customize one.
Can I get a quote without visiting?
Yes. Contact us with the piece you are interested in, your preferred wood and stain, and any size requirements, and we will prepare a quote. Sending a photo of a piece you love is a great starting point.
Plan your visit
Visit Oak Unlimited at 95 King St W in downtown Bowmanville, with parking at the back. Bring your measurements and photos, and we will help you with everything else. To learn about the maker behind many of our collections, read our guide to Handstone furniture.
Sources
Oak Unlimited, Frequently Asked Questions (lead times, delivery, warranty, humidity): https://www.oakunlimitedfurniture.com/faq
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