A Guide On How To Buy Compact Furniture

1. Familiarize yourself with wood types

There are three types of wood furniture: Veneers, composite wood (particle board), and solid wood. Veneers are made of an inexpensive wood with thin layers of better-quality wood covering it.  Solid wood is mainly natural wood and susceptible to water rings and scratches. Solid wood furniture is the most expensive to buy. Composite or particle board is however made of wood pulp, resin, and plastics. It is basically made of solid wood scraps, hence the least expensive on the list. Although furniture made of particle board has a decent look, it isn’t long lasting.

2. Check the cabinets and drawers

Once confident about the wood type, check the cabinets and drawers. Pull each drawer all the way out to see if latches properly. The drawer should also shut evenly without leaving gaps. On cabinet doors; open them wide enough and let go. The doors should remain open without snapping closed. Next, check the knobs and handles to ensure they don’t jingle and fit perfectly.

3. Watch out for glue and nails

The type of joinery used is critical for every piece of furniture.  Avoid nailed in or glued furniture and go for wood joined at corners and ends. Wood joinery is capable of taking more weight and more durable than nailed in joints.

4. Choose your style

What do you love in furniture?  Go for furniture that best suits your lifestyle and needs.  If there are pets and toddlers around, a white suede couch wouldn’t be ideal, would it? Stain resistant and dark colored furniture is most recommended for homes with pets and little ones all over. Check the fabric accompanying the furniture as well. Tweed and linen are considerably tougher and stain-resistant as compared to most materials. Looking at these allows you to ensure you have purchased solid wood furniture for the home.

5. Choose realistic colors

Always go for realistic (neutral) colors when shopping for furniture.  While you may be in love with an orange, or even white furniture now, this could change once you get older.  Neutral colors are more adaptable and can match almost everything in the house. Colored furniture only makes sense in décor pieces such as lampstands and candle holders.

6. Scrutinize the legs

Furniture (chair, sofa, wall unit) legs should be jointed to the frame, wooden, and heavy. Rubber, plastic, and metal legs don’t last long in furniture and do damage the floor and carpets as well. Nailed legs, on the other hand, don’t hold up well, and often fall off unannounced. Look for furniture with a fifth middle leg for extra support. This is essential especially for furniture worth over $1000. Cheaper sofas may or may not have a fifth leg.

7. Inspect the springs

Take some time to check springs used on the sofa as well. Zigzag coils are meant for a softer feel while traditional coiled springs are designed for firmer sofas.  Press down the base of the couch (without the cushions) to see if the springs work as they should. The coils should spring back once pressure is released.