Shopping For Quality Wood Furniture
If you are looking to buy wood furniture then you should aim to get the best possible pieces within your budget.
There are a few ways to ascertain whether or not you are looking at quality furniture. For a start, it will be crafted from solid wood rather than being veneered. Solid wood is stronger and more durable - obviously desirable when you are paying out good money for furniture.
The variety of wood it is made from will also have a bearing. Hardwood varieties are often favoured by furniture makers because many of them are strong. Hardwoods include oak, walnut, cherry and birch. The variety of wood will dictate the overall colour if a natural finish is wanted. If not, wood can be stained or painted to change the colour. If the piece is coloured, make sure that the colour is even throughout and that there is no trapped dirt or bubbles. The colour should be rich which means that it has been built up over a few coats. The piece should also be coloured on the back and underside too to help prevent swelling or shrinking.
The only time that it is acceptable for there to be scratches and dents is if you are buying a piece that has been deliberately distressed to give it character and the appearance of age. Even so, the look should be good.
The design of the piece is also very important for the overall aesthetics. A good design should stand out as being beautiful to the eye - whether you like a modern or rustic look.
Looking a bit more closely at the piece - it needs to be put together well. The joinery will reveal how well it is made. Quality joints can be dovetail or mortise and tenon. A good piece of furniture will not have any glue showing and it won’t be stapled. Everything should look professionally done.
Make sure that that all surfaces are smooth - even those that aren’t on show, and check that any moving parts have a smooth action. Look at the piece from different angles - it shouldn’t have scratches or blotches.
If you are getting a chest of drawers, check for a dust panel between the drawers. It will make for a stronger piece and help stop dust.
Obviously the furniture needs to sit flat on the floor and it has to be sturdy - try rocking it slightly to see how it bears up.
For some people, the origins of the piece will be important. Look for locally sourced wood that has also been locally crafted. This is better for the environment because it reduces carbon dioxide emissions from transportation, and better for the local economy.
If money isn’t a major issue for you, you may do well to find a quality designer furniture company that can fully customise your piece for you. This means that everything down to the finish and trim will be exactly as you want. You could look at something like the Quercus Furniture range from Con-Tempo furniture.
