Buying Quality Discount Furniture

By Author: Ahmed Muhsin
Total Articles: 4762
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Shopping for quality furniture that is reasonably priced isn't hard to do as long as you know what to look for and where to find it. A mistake many shoppers make is not learning the difference between quality and cheaply made furniture. You will find hundreds of discount stores that claim to sell quality furniture, but in many cases these claims are merely hype. If you are not cautious, you risk purchasing poorly crafted pieces made from cheap materials. Before you shop, become an informed consumer. Learn the difference between quality and cheap furniture to save time, money and a lot of aggravation.

Solid wood is always attractive and can make a home look and feel comfortable. The type of wood used for a particular piece will determine how long that piece will last. Most quality hardwood furniture is made with woods from deciduous trees such as oak, maple, walnut, mahogany or teak. Hardwoods tend to be sturdier and longer lasting than furniture made from soft woods. You can find quality pieces made from softwoods like pine, fir, redwood or cedar, but these pieces are more likely to show scratches and dents after a period ...
... of time. No matter the wood, find furniture that is also constructed with plywood, which adds strength and prevents splitting and warping.

Construction is very important to a piece's longevity, beauty and functionality. Shoddily constructed pieces not only break faster, but the lack of craftsmanship is more obvious to the eye. Ill-fitting joints and lack of symmetry are just a couple of things to look out for. Mortise and tenon as well as dovetails provide the best looking joints. Beware of joints that are stapled; joints should either have dowels or screws for sturdier construction. Check the interior of corners to see whether there are corner blocks as these also add stability to pieces. Stand up furniture such as chest drawers and bureaus should have back panels that are attached with screws for lateral stability. One good way to test the sturdiness of a piece is to rock it slightly. If it wobbles even a little, this is a clear indication that it is poorly made and that you should not buy it.

Other aspects to consider: drawers should have glides that allow for smooth opening and closing motions. Finishing should be rich, smooth and free of blemishes such as scratches and bubbles. It should also be evenly distributed to prevent blotches; quality pieces will have finishing on the back and undersides to reduce the chance of shrinking or swelling.

If you opt for less expensive furniture that is serviceable and really don't care about sustainability, you can purchase laminated woods as a substitute. However, as with quality woods, you want to check the veneer for flaws and furniture edges for shoddy construction.

Sofas are also important purchases that need much consideration. Frames should provide comfortable and sturdy seating support. Frames made from kiln-dried hardwood removes all moisture which allows the frame to retain its shape and stability for a long time. Sofas with particle boards or plywoods that are stapled will eventually give way. Check for back support as well. Particular seating supports to ask about: sinuous springs that are "S" shaped and evenly distributed from front to rear for strong support; 8-way hand tied springs that are tied and reinforced with twine; and web suspension with webs made of fibers that cross the seat and back and are reinforced with tensioners that securely fastens the webbing to the frame.

Sofa filling determines whether a sofa will sag or not. Sagging lends no support and looks unattractive. Quality sofas at minimum should have high density polyurethane foam. Higher end pieces usually have cushions made with down or down used in combination with other materials. Because these are high maintenance, they usually cost more.

Beds should be tested for frames and mattresses. Frames should have steel reinforced box springs for longevity. Most purchases included newer frames; however, if you are using an old box spring, it will cut the life of your mattress by a third. Mattresses used with newer box springs should last at least 10 years. A mattress's support depends on the number of metal coils it contains; the more coils, the better. For example, a mattress with only 300 coils will give you less support than one with 700 coils and will become lumpier quicker. Also important are the gauge of the coils and the connection between the coils. Heavier gauge coils give more support than lighter ones. Too few interconnecting coils also lead to quicker sagging.

Cheap fabrics should be avoided. They tend to look unattractive and wear out quicker. Look for blended fabrics with interesting textures and colors and that can withstand everyday wear and tear. Most upholstery today is made with synthetic fibers like acetate and acrylic, which offer a variety of colors and patterns and are resistant to fading, shrinkage and mildew. The maintenance is also less intensive as well.

Before shopping remember that consignment or discount shops may offer less expensive furniture, but know what you're getting for your money. Some shops offer serviceable furnishings that are not long lasting; these are all right for a small period of time and should be considered quick fixes. However, if you want something longer lasting, there are shops that do sell high quality furnishings for a fraction of the money you would pay at a full retail shop. They may cost a little more than cheaper options, but the investment will be worth it in terms of attractiveness, longevity and functionality. Some shops even offer "green" furniture made of eco-friendly woods. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the options available. Buying quality may cost you a little more upfront but in the end will give you savings that will last for much longer.
About Author:
San Francisco Furniture.com is run by the Urban Loft Company, the #1 discount furniture store in the Bay Area. Choose from an exciting selection of living room, dining room, bedroom and leather furniture plus entertainment centers, barstools, coffee tables and more all at discount prices. Visit today for modern furniture San Francisco online.