Too many options and I don't want to waste money! Good & bad opinions/reviews needed

[Kat256M]

Hello! Currently in the process of looking to by furniture for my first house! Exciting(and expensive!) times.

After a lot of years living in crappy flats filled with someone else's junk from 20 years ago, I was excited to choose my own. But they are expensive decisions and I need advice.

Mainly looking for:
-bed with storage
-GOOD mattress
-sofa
-washing machine
-dryer THAT ACTUALLY DOES ITS JOB
-curtains/curtain rods

If you have recommendations for good quality, long lasting and good costumer service let me know below. Or please share places to avoid. Thank you!!!

We’re very happy with our Dreams ottoman bed and DFS sofas. For curtains and rails, Dunelm are brilliant.

We went for a slightly cheaper place got everything from Argos and tbh 3 years on can't complain nothings stopped working electric wise and our beds and sofa are just as comfy still

Dreams bedbase and mattress still fine after 10 years.
I bought a slightly used DFS corner sofa on EBay, less than half new price even paying man with a van delivery and it’s still immaculate and comfortable 5 years on.
AO are good for electricals. Never had a problem with them.

I think I need to go have a look around Dunelm for sure. I am making a list of shops as I don't drive so a bit of a pain.

Thank you all! Anyone else with more suggestions please comment or pm me 🙂

I have an AEG tumble dryer and a Bosch classix washing machine, both brilliant (don't get condenser or heat pump dryer just get ordinary vented if you can).

IKEA sofas are good. If you have the funds, Darlings of Chelsea or Multiyork sofas ££££
Beds and mattresses are a nightmare - no recommendations.

I have an LG dryer which is excellent. Had an LG washing machine before which was excellent too, but my latest one is a samsung because it's got a drawer for adding things to the wash without waiting for the door to unlock, which is really handy when you're as disorganised as we are.

For mattresses, I really like natural latex.

We love our Otty hybrid mattress. Guests have asked which mattress we have (as we also have it on the spare bed) and they've bought the same.

Sofa wise... our DFS one is >8 years old and looks / feels as good as new.

Don’t buy a chesterfield sofa. They’re so uncomfortable!!

Totally opposite to 'crucible'. I totally recommend a heat pump tumble dryer. Mine is a Beko and it's excellent. Takes little if any longer than my previous vented one. No condensation, no need for any external vent and so so much cheaper to run.

Congrats on your first purchase. I bought my first a few years ago and also went through a lot of these decisions. Here is what I can share with you.

Storage bed: the storage beds from https://www.furl.co.uk/ are beautiful and practical. Expensive though! I nearly bought one but ended up declutterring massively so as not to need one!

Sofa: I adore my sofa, which is from www.sofa.com. I have an Otto, which is as comfy as the day I got it several years ago.

Dryer: I actually have a washer dryer because I don't have room for separate machines. Mine is an LG and is very good at both washing and drying, although the spin vibrates loudly. If you are in a house, that's not so much of a problem. I'm in a flat so I use a lower spin so as not to shake the flat below me! I had an AEG washer dryer before that which broke after 2 years, so I'd personally avoid that brand now.

Agree with the other poster who recommended AO for large electrical. They are really good and will solve any issues really quickly.

My own mantra is Bosch white goods, Used John Lewis furniture and accessories from Ebay, crockery etc John Lewis sales and everything else Ikea or Dunelm.

Thank you! A lot of good advice there. Yea I wanted to avoid washer/dryer for the noise and because most people say they are rubbish at drying. I am sick of having to hang the clothes in my hallway with a dehumidifier!

I think beds/sofas are expensive but if you get nice and comfy ones they change you life 😁

Yeah, I think mattresses and sofas are worth spending money on as you can spend many hours on them and the good ones last for many years. Usually there is a 0% interest payment plan option over 6 months or so as well.

FWIW, I have also been researching mattresses as I'd like a new one and think John Ryan by Design looks really good.

Dfs for sofa.
Dishwasher - I spoke to an engineer who said the technology is basically the same (albeit a few extra functions) and he would buy cheap and cheerful.

I have an indescit washing machine that has coped with alot (football kits multiple times a week etc).

The one thing I do have which not everyone thinks is worth it is appliance insurance (through d and g). It has been brilliant. My dryer has been fixed multiple times for free and my dishwasher was replaced for free when it wasnt deemed fixable (it was about 4 years old). It's a gamble as to whether you use it but if finances are tight it's peace of mind you aren't suddenly going to need a few hundred quid to replace/ repair an appliance