Unless you're a broke college student or the kind of person that likes to buy assembly-required bookcases, desks, and chairs, you should purchase only quality furniture for your home. After all, well-constructed furniture is an investment that is meant to last for years and years, and perhaps even become a prized family heirloom someday. You certainly can't say that about the selections at the national Swedish superstore!
But before grabbing your debit card and heading to the nearest Broyhill furniture outlet, it would be a good idea to take some time to learn how to distinguish quality pieces from inferior craftsmanship. Here are some key points to remember:
- For greater longevity and durability, stick to harder woods, such as maple, mahogany, cherry, walnut, and oak
- Avoid pieces made from particleboard, thin plywood, fiberboard, veneers, and other engineered materials
- Joints that feature reinforcing corner blocks, dowels, screws, or dovetails are desirable; visible staples, glue, and nails are not
- Inspect upholstery for even stitching and aligned patterns
- Chair and sofa frames should be level with the floor and exhibit no detectable creaks or wobbles
- The best cushions are made of firm foam, wrapped in padding, and have a protective inner liner
- Pull out desk and bureau drawers to confirm that they're mounted on metal glide rails and have dust panels between each unit
- Check springs to ensure that they are not spaced too far apart and that they provide even resistance across the entire piece
One additional recommendation we have is that you purchase products from a well-known manufacturer rather than an unknown entity. Trust us: you won't go wrong choosing Ashley Signature furniture over a less-established brand that you've never heard of before.
Now that you know what to look for in quality furniture, head on over to HomeLivingFurniture.com to browse our affordable collections from Ashley, Broyhill, Thomas Kincaid, and other respected names.
