What Should You Look for in Your Next Furniture Purchase?

Price may be a factor, but it should not be the main one. For example, a cheap chair that breaks the first time someone leans back in it is a waste of money. What should you look for in your next furniture purchase?

Quality

One of the most important factors to consider when shopping for furniture is quality. You want a sturdy but beautiful table that will last a lifetime. Then it will be something your grandchildren will want to inherit. And you won't have to replace it after a few years of heavy use. High-quality construction means it won't break during rough use and abuse, either. It can take a minor blow or heavy load without getting warped.

Poor quality furniture makers often use tricks to hide their poor workmanship. They may glue things together that should be smoothly joined. Or they put heavy nails in the joints where it isn't visible unless you turn it over. Heavy layers of paint or shellac are a major red flag. Pull drawers out, and verify that they slide smoothly. Pull-on knobs, so that you're sure they are securely connected to the furniture. If anything rubs, creaks, cracks or grinds, don't buy it. If the feet on the table or chair are not even, don't buy anything by that manufacturer. Press on it, and if it wobbles, leave it.

Design

A lot of cheap furniture is cookie-cutter. It is all cut from the same mold if not made in the same factory. They may change the design a little. It could be as simple as swapping cheap cloth seats for faux leather. Or they replace red textiles with pink furry fluff to get a new look. The best furniture has a classic style that won't go out of style in a few years. That's why you want to avoid bean bag chairs and egg seats.

This doesn't mean you have to go with simple, arts and craft style furniture. You can buy bespoke furniture that reflects any aesthetic. It could be Southwestern or Craftsman, Scandinavian to Art Deco. You'll get an individualized design that fits your particular tastes and will blend into your home, no matter what type of decoration you have. Furthermore, they can integrate a variety of features. Do you want extra drawers, hidden drawers or side panels that fold out of the way? Tell the craftsman what you want, and they'll make it.

Durability

It is possible for someone to make furniture by hand but still create something you don't want to buy. They might use wood with knots or use pieces of plywood instead of solid pieces of wood. The end result is wood furniture prone to crack. Thin wood is prone to warp or crack. If they use wood that's too soft, it will deform or break, too.

Sometimes aspects of the design will affect its long-term usability. For example, drawers with interlocking teeth will stay together longer than pieces slid together like Jenga pieces. Look for drawers with dust panels to prevent dust from accumulating in the groves.