Creating A More Comfortable Home

Furnishing a home is expensive. Most people want at least their main pieces to be quality furniture so they don't have to replace the items any time soon. A high price tag doesn't necessarily denote high quality, though. Shoppers need to do their due diligence to ensure the furniture they're buying is actually of a high quality. Below are some secrets to spotting high-quality furniture.

1. Pay Attention to Functionality

When you buy an item of furniture with drawers, such as a desk or dresser, you should test the drawers for functionality. The wood should glide smoothly on metal rails. The action should also feature a stop so the drawer doesn't come out.

For furniture with doors, visible hinges should be attractive and complementary to the whole style. All hinges should open and close smoothly.

2. Learn About Joinery

You don't need to become a master woodworker to understand what a high level of the craft looks like. 

When you look at where two pieces of wood are joined, you want to see that they're done so through woodworking, not nails and glue. In other words, the two pieces need to fit together through protrusions at the end. For seating, you want to see the furniture item further reinforced with corner blocks.

3. Feel for Proper Springs

Speaking of seating, quality furniture should be comfortable and long lasting. Those qualities largely come in the foundation of the piece. The frame is important, and it should be sturdy. However, you want to pay attention to the springs.

First off, comfort seating should feature springs under the cushions. If you find just webbing, the piece won't last. When you do find coiled springs, they should be close together and firm. Such construction will keep the seat from sagging.

4. Eyeball Sewing Quality

Sometimes you have to look at the details to spot quality furniture. If you look at upholstered furniture, you want to see good sewing quality. For instance, skirts should be lined and feature regular pleats.

Look also at the seams. The stitching should be unbroken. The seams themselves should also be regular. Eyeball the patterning. It should line up at the seams and along the piece as a whole.

5. Test a Wood's Density

The best furniture comes from kiln-dried hardwood. Plywood is acceptable as long as it features several layers. You want to stay away from particleboard.

You can test the density of the wood at the store. Run your fingernail along an inconspicuous surface. If your fingernail leaves a dent, the wood isn't dense enough to stand up to rigorous use.

Use the above secrets when you're shopping for your next item of furniture. Contact a company that sells high-end furniture to learn more.