Tips for Choosing Long-Lasting Furniture

A good way to find furniture that will last is to look for high-quality material and construction. Among solid hardwoods, oak, maple and walnut are commonly recognised for their strength and beauty. The same is true for metal, with stainless steel and wrought iron providing a long-lasting option for furniture when they are well manufactured and maintained. With upholstered furniture, you should choose natural woven fibres such as cotton and linen or consider durable, low-maintenance performance fabric blends.

To make sure that furniture will not break down due to sagging, fading and structural weakness, read the material specifications carefully. Find the right sofa for your space at Poly & Bark, because if you choose furniture made from high-quality, sustainably sourced woods and metal that provide reliable service, it will be easier for you to avoid needing to repair or replace your purchase too often.

Assess Construction and Joinery

The construction quality becomes an important factor regarding the future of your home’s furnishings. The joinery determines how well each of these different components of furniture will work together and generally offers some of the strongest indicators for how long the item will serve your needs. It would benefit you to purchase quality pieces made by those who use the old-world craftsmanship methods, i.e., the dovetail and mortise-and-tenon joint, since they have endured for centuries and will continue to be as durable today as they were back then. Conversely, if a piece of furniture consists mainly of glue, nails, or staples as the primary means of keeping it intact, there’s a strong chance that it will lose its durability sooner than a similarly constructed piece utilizing an old-world technique. Be sure to check the corners where the furniture meets together (the seams) and at the top and bottom of your cabinets since most producers will reinforce them for added protection. Therefore, by purchasing high-quality items, you can feel secure in knowing they will serve you for a long period of time, even before you use them.

Evaluate Frame and Support Systems

The fabric of an upholstered chair and/or sofa will last only as long as its frame and the manner in which it is supported. A well-built sofa or chair will be made with a hardwood frame that has been dried in a kiln, effectively decreasing the chances of the frame becoming bent or cracked with age. Never choose furniture that uses either particle board or softwoods for the main frame because they cannot withstand either weight or moisture.

The manner in which support systems are utilized is of equal importance to the frame’s longevity; the highest quality sofas will have been constructed using an eight-way hand-tied spring system, which is a very complicated procedure that provides many years of comfort and support. This support system will ensure that the sofa will retain its shape and support for many years of use, in contrast to traditional webbing, or a less expensive spring system.

Test for Stability and Comfort

When selecting new furniture, unless you actually see and feel what the product looks like in-person, you should never assume that it will suit your personal taste. Prior to making a final choice about what type of chair, sofa or bed to purchase, take a few minutes to sit down in each piece of furniture to see how well it fits your body. Pay close attention as you are lying down or sitting on a new piece of furniture to how the support system feels against your body; whether or not there are any creaking, wobbling, or other indicators that point toward an unstable piece of furniture; whether or not the furniture has a strong, balanced frame; and that there aren’t any visible markings or flaws in the support of the furniture.

A well-built piece of comfortable furniture will improve your ability to relax each day and it also reduces the overall risks associated with using the product for long periods of time.

Consider Timeless Design

As an adult, you want your furniture to serve you well throughout your life and to continue to meet your needs as you grow and evolve. A good starting point when selecting furniture is to select styles that are timeless—those with a simple design in neutral colours, like classic forms and shapes. Consider selecting furniture pieces that are adaptable (for example, a neutral colour sofa, a solid timber dining table, or a multitasking side table). Being able to adapt to changes in your personal style and home décor will ensure that the resale value of your furniture remains high, regardless of where you live or what your style may be in the future.

Research Brand Reputation

Prior to making a purchase, it is essential to research the manufacturer’s reputation. A quality durable item will likely be produced by a reputable manufacturer that has a long history of experience and craftsmanship coupled with a strong customer service record. Transparent warranties, clear specification sheets (detail-oriented specifications), and favorable product reviews/feedback are great indicators that you are making a smart investment in a long-lasting product. Research product longevity through forums, blogs, and social media for customer reviews. By reading what other customers have said about their experiences with the products, you will gain valuable insight into how well the product has stood the test of time.

Look for Certifications

Certification indicates both a product’s sustainability and the company’s dedication to sustainability through eco-friendly manufacturing practice. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies that the wood in your product is derived from forests that are sustainably managed, which demonstrates commitment to environmental stewardship and quality of the material. To give you an idea about how and where your furniture was manufactured and the sustainability of the company, look for clear labels and brand certifications. In addition to providing peace of mind for eco-responsible consumers, certified goods offer the ability to reduce environmental impact and indoor air pollution.

Maintain Proper Care

Regardless of the way in which your furniture was made, all furniture requires periodic care/maintenance to sustain its optimum service life. All furniture manufacturers have specific guidelines for taking care of furniture; you should adhere to the guidelines provided by your manufacturer. The guidelines will typically include:

• the right cleaning solution for the type of fabric used on your furniture;
• the right method to protect/clean your furniture.

In addition to the above, routine dusting of your furniture; promptly cleaning up any spills that occur; keeping your furniture away from direct sunlight will all prolong the life of your furniture and minimize the risk of the finish being damaged, keeping it looking like new.

Regularly checking and tightening any loose hardware, rotating cushions when applicable and using the cleaning products recommended by your manufacturer will safeguard your furniture from unintentional harm and allow your furniture to remain aesthetically pleasing and in good working order for many years.

Final Thoughts

There are many aspects to consider when buying quality furniture other than the appearance of a piece in your home. When looking for furniture items, you should look for pieces that are built with comfort, strength, and durability in mind. The longer your investment of money into a piece of furniture can keep you, the better. Consider purchasing products made of strong materials and built with traditional craftsmanship. Take notice of how detailed the joinery system is or construction frames used for support, etc., when making your selections.

Researching established brands and reputable brands when purchasing furniture is also a good way to find furniture that you will want to continue using for many years. Once you find a brand you like and trust, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to care for your new furniture, and it will continue to help you over time by providing reassurance to you that your living space is comfortably supportive to your continued growth.