IKEA is great, but no one would mistake IKEA furniture for the kind of high quality and longevity you would get from spending a little more money on solid wood or a well-crafted piece. The trick, however, is how to know you’re looking at quality wooden furniture when it’s staring you in the face. Thankfully, the folks at Get Rich Slowly have a great guide so you’ll know a good piece from a bad one, regardless of the price tag.
Image: Allan Siew.
Karawynn Long, who contributed the piece, points out that you have to look for two big things in your wooden furniture: composition and construction. For example, look for joint construction, and if there’s glue involved, you shouldn’t see it in the construction. Structurally, look for solid wood or sturdy plywood, as opposed to pressboard. Don’t be fooled by terms like “hardwood” and “softwood”, which have more to do with the type of tree the wood comes from than the type of construction.
The post goes on to describe what to look for in specific pieces like drawers and chairs, and then what to look for in upholstered furniture like couches or easy chairs. It’s a good read, and Get Rich Slowly even put together a furniture shopping checklist (PDF) that you can print and check off when you go shopping. Hit the link below for all of the details. What do you look for when you’re shopping for furniture you hope will last longer than you do? Share your shopping tips in the comments below.
How to Buy Quality Furniture [Get Rich Slowly]
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