One of the most challenging aspects of furniture buying is making sure you are getting high-quality furniture for a fair price. The growth of disposable, low-price furniture has saturated the market, making it difficult to know with certainty whether you are getting your money’s worth. But there are many different ways to determine if an individual piece is worth the price. Here is how to identify quality when buying wood furniture.
Types of Wood Furniture
The first thing to determine is the type of wood used to construct the furniture. There are three categories of wood furniture: solid wood, veneers, and composite/particleboard. While solid wood does look better than the other options, it comes with a higher price tag. Veneers are a good option if you want a wood look without the added expense. Composite and particleboard are the least expensive and don’t hold up like the other options.
Material Concerns
When inspecting the furniture, keep an eye out for the materials used when constructing the piece. You generally want to avoid nails and glue whenever possible. You want pieces joined at corners and ends because they are sturdier and hold more weight. These extra touches require the sure hands of a master craftsman who knows their way around the different types of lathes tools.
Color Expectations
Be selective when considering color options for your wood furniture. Some manufacturers will attempt to use paint or fabrics to cover blemishes and imperfections in the materials. While nothing is wrong with painting the wood or making it more comfortable to sit on, don’t skip assessing the furniture if you want to avoid wasting your money.
Check the Features
The final tip for how to identify quality when buying wood furniture is to go over the various features of the piece carefully. Make sure drawers slide in and out entirely and that the cabinet doors are flush when closed. You should also check the handles and knobs to ensure they fit snugly with little to no wiggle.
