Purchasing new or used furniture can be an exciting time but it can also be a very trying one if you are not sure on what to look for. You are not supposed to buy the first piece you see no matter how great it is and you should never buy something based on the looks of the upholstery fabric alone (as fabrics can be changed).
One thing you have to ensure is that the piece is well made, especially the frame. If the furniture is not really used that often, you don’t have to worry as much how well the frame is made. Generally, however, the sturdier the better when it comes to home furnishings.
There are other issues you should take a gander at though and here they are:
- Look at what kind of wood the piece is made with. You want something that is kiln-dried and the best options for those would be maple, birch, gum or birch. These are much more durable than the softer woods like pine, fir or poplar. You can always look at particleboard but it has a habit of chipping or splitting. You can find particleboard in many of the cheaper styles of furniture, but know that you get what you pay for.
- The woods joints have to be dovetail or mortise-and tenon and they both should be secured using glue.
- You never want to buy a piece of furniture that feels light. There are multiple reasons behind this, the main one being that it can flip or just fall apart.
- Your furniture should never sag, especially when buying sofas or love seats. If they do, it’s a sign of poor quality and lack of bracing and support.
- If the furniture has coils, they should act like box springs that are in a bed mattress. This gives the piece stability and firmness.
