When buying furniture there are 3 things that need to be considered: the price, the aesthetics and quality. For the deep pockets, price should not be a big issue as long as they are comfortable with the furniture they are buying. Aesthetics of the furniture depends upon the nature and appreciation of each individual because as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The true judgment for the right furniture is through its quality. It is not so hard to find a sofa or dining set which you think is beautiful and that you can have for a bargain. But without checking first for quality you would not know if the piece could even last for a year or even months. That would be frustrating unless you really do not intend to use it for a long time.
How to Check for Quality
The best quality furniture is made by the individual workmanship of craftsmen although there are also several mainstream companies who manufacture well crafted pieces. Quality furniture does not come cheap and buying furniture that do not cost much most often do not last long. I would rather buy furniture made from Italy or in the USA than take a chance on a piece made in China.
Upholstery
Some people buy furniture for the look of it instead of quality. The color and design pattern on the upholstery may seem attractive, but that should not be the only reason for purchasing the furniture. The buyer must also take into consideration the spring system and cushions. The seat should have a strong spring support and at the same time provide complete comfort. In buying furniture, I consider sinuous springs better than light gauge metal springs because the latter has the tendency to sag and weaken overtime.
An example of sinuous spring support
Several options are available as cushion fillers like layered polyester fillings or high-density foam. But the best for me is the down filling because it makes for a fluffy, loose cushions that packs down easily.
Wood type
Knowing the type of wood material the piece is made of is another important factor in determining a quality furniture. Different wood types are produced in different parts of the world with its own set of characteristics.
Hardwood and softwood are the most commonly used types , but for quality furniture hardwood is more often used. Mahogany, beech, oak and teak are examples of popular hardwood.
At a furniture store it will be difficult to know the wood type of the chair or cabinet unless you scratched the finished surface. You may have to ask the salesperson for some information.
You should also ask the salesperson if the wood furniture is kiln dried. A kiln dried wood has a low moisture content which makes it resistant to warp, crack and weaken due to changes in humidity.
A kiln dried sofa frame
Woodwork
On furniture which has drawers you could distinguish its quality if the joining method used is dovetail. Dovetail joints are stronger, durable and allows for more space inside.
Make sure that the drawers glides smoothly when opening or closing. Those with rollers are indication of poor woodworking.
For ultimate strength the wood frame of any furniture should be interlocking and in that way the legs of a sofa or couch which is built into the frame would be more sturdier than those which are screwed into the frame.
