TOP TEN TIPS WHEN BUYING FURNITURE

by | Jul 7, 2021

It is not easy to tell the difference between good quality and poorly
made furniture. Most folks buy furniture
based on what it looks like and how much it costs. Unless you have studied furniture
manufacturing processes and materials, it is far too easy to end up spending
your hard-earned money on items that may not last. Furniture is not cheap, so you want to make
sure it will stay looking good and comfortable for as long as possible.

I am not suggesting that every piece you purchase should be heirloom
quality with a high price tag—quite the opposite. I believe in helping people know the pros and
cons of their purchases regardless the price tag.

Here are some tips on how to tell if a sofa, table, or bedroom set is
well-made and worth the price.

  • 1.Look for wood furniture constructed
    using either solid hardwood that is adequately kiln-dried or plywood that is at
    least eight layers.
  • 2. If you buy pine furniture, buy from a
    manufacturer who selects the wood, properly dried, without knots. Knots are more prone to cracking. Also, proper manufacturers use varnish, not
    used car oil. If it smells like car oil, avoid it!
  • 3.Stay away from press board
    (IKEA/Walmart/Grocery Store) furniture if you want it to last. It will not stand up in the humidity and is
    prone to termites.
  • 4.On any wood furniture, check the
    joints. Choose ones that are screwed or
    dowelled. Even better are joints that
    are dovetailed or mortise and tenon.
    Check underneath and look for re-enforcing blocks that are attached to
    corners for additional support. If you
    see joints that are nailed or stapled or exposed glue, it is a sign that the
    furniture will not last as long.
  • 5.Veneers are a great solution to get a
    beautiful piece of furniture at a reasonable price. Make sure the veneer is either solid wood or
    good plywood.
  • 6.If you purchase a piece of wood
    furniture such as a desk, dresser or nightstand, better quality items often
    have dust panels between drawers. These
    thin sheets of wood make the structure stronger.
  • 7.Always open and close all doors and
    drawers to make sure they do not stick.
    Look for drawers that have metal gliders with stops. The higher quality items will have grooves
    underneath the drawers so that with the change in humidity, they can expand and
    contract without issue. If there are no
    metal gliders, it is generally a sign of lower quality workmanship.
  • 8.Since most upholstered furniture is
    covered by fabric, it is usually impossible to check out the frame. This is where it is critical to get the
    information from a salesperson. Do not
    be afraid to ask about the materials used to make the frame. If the salesperson cannot tell you immediately,
    this is a sign they are interested in your money, not your satisfaction.
  • 9.Ask about the foam. Seat cushions should be made with high
    resiliency foam (HR), not high density (HD), if you want it to be comfortable
    for years.
  • 10.Be cautious buying any leather-like
    product. There are many cheap bonded
    leather pieces of furniture in big box stores and many Mexican furniture
    stores. This “tacto piel”
    cracks and peels within the year.
    Unscrupulous retailers may try to convince you it is leather. The best way to know it is genuine leather is
    if you know and trust the brand.

If you are looking for a new piece of furniture, email or Whatsapp
me. I am happy to help you buy right the
first time, regardless of your budget.

Visit
our Puerto
Vallarta store: 363A Constitucion just off
of Basilio Badillo (Open Mon through Fri 10 to 2). If you are not currently in Mexico, email us
at furniture@solutionsmexico.com or
Whatsapp us at +3221365156.

Join our
Facebook Group: Mexico Furniture and Décor for
ideas and inspiration.

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