When you go out to buy furniture, whether it’s to spruce your place up and give it a whole new look, or you are hoping to add some new functionality such as more space for guests, how many of your purchasing decisions are based purely on aesthetics? Of course, it’s important that the furniture in your home looks good (or rather, it’s important that you think it looks good), but furniture isn’t just decorative.
Furniture needs to be functional. It needs to be able to stand up to the wear and tear of general use and, perhaps most importantly, it has to be comfortable. When buying furniture, you need to know what to look out for to make the best, most informed purchasing decisions possible. Here is a guide to some of the key things to look for.
Framing and Cushioning
If the frame of the furniture you are looking at is made of hardwood then you should, if at all possible, find out if it has been kiln dried. Kiln drying is a process whereby a significant portion of the moisture contained within the timber is removed by evaporation. Wood that has been kiln dried tends to last longer than untreated wood; it is also more resistant to fungus and mold.
The Tailoring
On sofas that use a material printed with a design, the patterns should match all over. Check the front, the back, and the sides to ensure that the design is consistent and has been applied properly. For more expensive, higher quality pieces, any fabric should wrap neatly around the entirety of the piece, this includes the back of the skirt. Patterns should seamlessly transition from one segment of the furniture to the next.
Quality of the Leather
Leather is an ever-popular material, whether for furniture or for clothes. There are a number of properties of leather that make it desirable in these contexts. It has a distinctive look and feel; it even makes a characteristic creaking noise under the right circumstances.Another reason that many people choose leather is because it is often considered to be a high quality and luxurious material.
The emergence of cheap synthetic leathers and leathers of a generally lower quality has meant that the presence of leather is no longer a guarantee of quality in and of itself. When you are looking at any furniture which is made mostly of leather, you should try and find out all you can about the type of leather used. If the furniture is advertised as using ‘leather-like’ materials, then there is no leather involved.
Warranty
Furniture purchases are often expensive. These are investments and you want to make sure that your investment is protected. Product warranties will give you peace of mind. You can also invest in home warranties, which will cover all your possessions. Check out this list of the best home insurance companies, including total protect home warranty BBB.
Buying furniture isn’t always straightforward, but it is worth it in the end. There are few feelings more satisfying than looking over a home, or even a room, that you have designed the look of yourself.
