Furniture Buying Checklist
What You Should Look for In Wood
Purchase: Solid Wood, 9+ Layer Plywood, and Quality Wood Veneer
Softwood Examples: Cedar, Fir, Pine, and Redwood
Hardwood Examples: Ash, Birch, Cherry, Mango, Mahogany, Maple, Oak, Poplar, Teak, and Walnut
Avoid: Thinly constructed plywood, Particleboard, Pressboard, Fiberboard, Cheap Wood Veneer
* Things to know - knots, cracks, softwood that easily scratches and even some MDF or manufactured wood is not necessarily bad. For example, you may be looking for furniture with character that knots and cracks in wood can offer. Also, if you are looking for less expensive furniture then MDF and wood veneer furniture can be a great purchase depending on your budget. As a matter of fact, wood veneer is used in many high-priced furniture items.
What You Should Look for In Construction
Best: (Joints) Dovetail, Mortise & Tenon
Very Good: Dowels and Screws
Avoid: Staples, Nails, and Visible Glue
* Things to know – Well-made furniture should not twist, creak or wobble. Your budget will greatly determine the quality of furniture you buy and some glue used on furniture can be ok. In particularly if that glued is used as superficially and not for the main construction of the piece.
I hope this quick list helps in your furniture buying. A couple of things to remember is that your budget is the greatest determining factor in the quality of furniture you buy buy only if you educate yourself. Spending more on furniture up front by purchasing quality wood and well-constructed pieces can help ensure a piece last for 10-20 years or longer.
However, purchasing less expensive furniture if it serves your purpose is OK too! Just make sure you have taken into consideration your expectations for the furniture before you buy. If you want something that only needs to last for 3-5 then less expensive may be the way to go.
The Rustic Furniture offers a wide variety of styles and qualities for our customers to fit their needs. If you have questions about a piece of furniture always feel free to send us an email and we will do our best to answer your questions.