The truth is solid wood customized hand made furniture is not inexpensive. The use of quality hardwoods and individual craftsmen adds a cost to each piece not seen in mass produced cardboard framed, pressed board framed and particle board framed bargain furniture. The price difference makes the temptation to buy “bargain” furniture, especially when finances are tight, seem like a reasonable one to give in to. After all, aren’t you saving money on items that you need a lot of? Isn’t being a savvy shopper who is saving money a good thing? When it comes to buying furniture – items that we use and abuse every day – the purchasing of bargain furniture now may not be such a bargain later.

For example take the kitchen table and chairs, items that are heavily used. Unless you have invested in a durable, high quality design then the table and especially the chairs will warp, break and be unusable after only a few years, sometimes less. This not only detracts from the aesthetical quality of your living space but requires replacement over and over again, usually at a higher cost as inflation increases. This is a wasteful practice when considering you could have purchased it one time and it would have lasted both you and several generations.

If you know what to look for in furniture, regardless of your budget, it will help you get the most for your money. Thanks to books and online blogs and websites furniture makers and furniture retailers are willingly sharing their expertise. While it is certainly important to buy furniture that is comfortable, functional, and fits your lifestyle and budget, it is also important to buy quality, well-built designs. By buying even one piece of investment furniture at a time you are saving thousands over a lifetime and insuring estate heirlooms for future generations.

Be a smart and savvy shopper. Educate yourself on the products you are putting your money into. By learning a few tips your next furniture venture will not just be a purchase but a valid investment:

How is it made and where did it come from?
The quality of furniture depends on what it is constructed from and how well it is assembled. Knowing who made it and what their philosophy on furniture construction is can ensure a long term relationship with your investment. 

Also important in this transaction is your retailer. Are they easily reached by phone and email to help with your decisions, orders, delivery and any future repairs? By having a retailer who cares you are adding extra insurance to your investment.  

Furniture Components - What is it constructed from?

Hardwoods – North American hardwoods like maple, oak, hickory and cherry are renewable and natural materials. This is the only building material used in high end Amish furniture.

Particleboard - Wood shavings are held together with a formaldehyde-based resin that emits fumes called outgas. The wood shavings are throughout the board and are visible on both the flat side and the cut side. There is a strong odor, especially when new. Particleboard contributes to indoor air pollution for at least a decade and should be used with caution around young children. This is never used in Amish furniture manufacturing.

Pressboard – Made from smaller wood fibers these boards are held together by a process using pressure and steam. This is a thin, brown board, with one smooth side and one textured side. Common “peg board” is made from pressboard. Pressboard is completely odor-free but low in quality. This is never used in Amish furniture manufacturing.

Furniture Coverings – Is there a wide range of high quality choices?
While texture and color affect the mood and attitude of the room, lifestyle directly affects the choice of fabrics and coverings for furniture. Be sure to select robust coverings like leather or durable fabrics.Take into account who lives in and visits your home before settling on a fabric. Cheaper, low quality fabrics are thin and wear easily and are not stain resistant.

Tags: Amish, bargain furniture, Buying Furniture, Furniture, furniture components, furniture construction, hand made furniture, hardwood, high quality design, Kitchen Table, Particleboard, Pressboard, quality hardwoods, saving money, savvy shopper

This entry was posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 2:47 pm and is filed under Cherry Furniture, Furniture Tips, Hickory Furniture, Maple Furniture, Oak Furniture, Understanding Hardwood and Furniture Construction, Upholstered Furniture. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.