Guide to Buying Quality Wood Furniture

Wood furniture never goes out of style. From traditional to modern, wood furniture suits every home aesthetic.

Guide to Buying Quality Wood Furniture

Wood furniture never goes out of style. From traditional to modern, wood furniture suits every home aesthetic. Unfortunately, wood furnishings today are mostly mass-produced and low-quality. If you want to buy quality wood furniture, there is a lot you need to consider. It is also vital to keep in mind that if you are buying solid wood furniture, you need to be willing to stretch your budget a bit because quality comes at a higher price.

 

Composition and construction

 

The construction of wood furniture is the first thing you need to look into. Inspect each joint and pay attention to detail. Watch out for tell-tale signs of glue and whether or not the joints look sturdy. Structurally, wood furniture should be made using solid wood. But if this is too pricey, the next best thing is sturdy plywood. Some furniture designers and collections like Ashley Bolanburg typically describe the type of wood they use to construct their furniture. Wood furniture is usually described as either made using softwood or hardwood, which pertains to the tree species used in construction.

 

Was the furniture made overseas?

 

There is a big difference between where the furniture was constructed and where the materials originated. Both of these factors have a significant impact on the quality of the finished product. Even if the manufacturer claims that the furniture was made in the US or Canada, you still need to ask whether the materials were sourced locally or overseas. The danger here is that some wood species found in Asia, for example, are not suited for the North American climate especially when not treated properly before construction. The better choice would be wood that is native to North America like maple, oak, and pine.

 

Sturdiness of design

 

The jointing method used by the manufacturer also matters when you are buying wood furniture. Does the piece have tongue and groove joints, dovetailed joints, screwed, or glued joints? The least sturdy would be glued joints which is why it is not the ideal choice. You also need to look at the thickness of the wood boards used to construct the piece. Does it feel heavy, or light? Are the compartments and drawers dustproof or not? These are only a few of the additional factors you need to look into.

 

Type of finish

 

The manufacturer may offer customers several finish options. Staining, for example, is a popular finishing technique which gives wood furniture a specific patina which can make it appear more rustic or modern, depending on your preference.

 

Since furniture finish has a significant impact on the appearance of the furniture, check if the manufacturer can customize the finish so that it matches your existing furnishings. You may also want to ask about options for handles, knobs, and hinges.

 

Does the store offer a warranty?

 

A warranty gives you peace of mind in case something goes wrong with your purchase. Since wood furniture can be quite expensive, never purchase if the store does not offer a warranty.

 

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/bedroom-real-estate-interior-design-1940169/

Date Of Update: 12 April 2019, 19:10