The furniture industry has evolved significantly to align with modern consumer expectations. Many consumers now anticipate that furniture will last only a few years, leading some companies to cut corners on materials and craftsmanship to boost profits. Although these industry trends are widely acknowledged, identifying subpar furniture can still be challenging. A deeper understanding of furniture design and craftsmanship can make it easier to spot inferior qualities.
It might be tempting to purchase a $100 imitation of a coffee table sold elsewhere for over $500. However, deals that appear too good to be true often are. The trend of “fast furniture” is increasing, and it’s something to consider when shopping for home goods from incredibly low-priced retailers like Temu.
To ensure you’re investing in durable furniture, be aware of certain red flags during your shopping experience. While some indicators of poor quality are obvious, others are subtle and harder to detect. Often, evaluating furniture quality requires seeing it in person and reviewing a detailed product manual. Learn to identify these common red flags and discover how to choose better-quality furniture.
Furniture with flawed joinings is a sign of imprecise workmanship
Furniture is typically assembled from multiple wood pieces joined at corners and other critical points. These joints are often the most vulnerable parts, as a failure here can compromise the entire piece’s integrity. Carefully inspect these joints to determine how well they are connected. Are they held together with excessive glue, or are there thin screws securing them? Another giveaway of poor construction is seams that don’t fit snugly, leaving gaps between pieces.
For high-quality furniture, look for solidly constructed corners, which are more reliable in the long run. Interior Designer Tyka Pryde Edwards advises seeking sturdy joinery techniques, such as dovetails or mortise-and-tenon joints, commonly found in top-tier furniture. Dovetail joints involve interlocking wood pieces in a battlement shape, secured with adhesive glue. Mortise-and-tenon joints involve inserting one wood piece into another, securing them tightly. Furniture with these joinery techniques should not creak or bend when you move, sit, or apply pressure.
Poorly fitting drawers, doors, and other hardware indicate sloppy manufacturing
Subpar manufacturing not only looks unappealing but also affects functionality. Crooked doors and drawers, gaps, or rattling when moved are signs of poor craftsmanship. You shouldn’t need to struggle to open or close them or have to realign them manually. These problems often stem from misaligned rollers, slides, and hinges. Additionally, drawers may have misshapen or bent slides, especially if made from less durable materials.
While fixing broken cabinet hinges and replacing drawer sliders is feasible, cheap hardware means you may face these repairs sooner than expected. Avoid plastic drawer slides, as they share similar issues with other plastic hardware, such as quick wear and stuck rollers. Always test drawers and doors before purchasing to ensure they open and close smoothly without sticking or scratching surfaces.
Wobbly or uneven chair or table legs show a lack of quality control
Before purchasing, it’s wise to test chairs or tables. If the legs wobble during normal use, it could indicate multiple issues. Loose fasteners or stripped wood may suggest the piece is made from weak materials like medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or particleboard, which are easily damaged by metal hardware.
High-quality chairs should not noticeably wobble, creak, or shift under your weight. They should remain steady, with legs flush to the ground when sitting down or standing up. Tables should meet the same standards. Even minimalist hairpin legs can be sturdy when made from solid metal, connected to quality materials, and properly angled and spaced. Test the legs as you would any furniture piece by pressing on the top to ensure it doesn’t creak or shift.
Bubbling is a sign of a low-quality finish
Bubbles and streaks in a wood finish suggest poor bonding, careless installation, and an improper final seal. Several factors can contribute to a poor top coat finish. Air bubbles may form if layers are applied too quickly without adequate drying time. Other small bubbles may trap dirt, sealing in debris and dust. Poor brushing technique and excessive varnish also contribute to these issues, signaling inferior craftsmanship.
Use sight and touch to detect poor finishes. Examine furniture from different angles for unintentional bubbling and streaking. Run your hand across surfaces to feel for uneven patches. If you find a great deal on a piece with a bubbling topcoat, refurbishing it is possible using home improvement supplies. Both solid wood and MDF can be sanded and refinished, improving the piece’s aesthetics and surface durability. However, this won’t enhance poor hardware or strengthen the overall structure.
Wood furniture with a repeating grain pattern likely isn’t the real deal
Exercise caution when searching for solid wood furniture. Many wood-like products are MDF, a commonly used particleboard. While MDF resists temperature-induced shrinking and expanding, its structural integrity is weaker, prone to splintering at screw joints.
Distinguish between faux and authentic wood by examining physical traits. Faux wood often features synthetic grain patterns, lacking the random knots and scars of real lumber. Veneer may stop at the furniture’s back, transitioning to another material. Solid wood furniture displays variations and inconsistent patterns, extending over edges and continuing on the back and underside, possibly unfinished compared to the rest.
Uncomfortable seating often has low-quality suspension
Luxurious upholstery on sectionals, sofas, and chairs can be misleading. Without quality suspension, the furniture won’t distribute weight well. Inspect the suspension type by checking under the cushions. Webbing systems (criss-crossing straps) are inexpensive and unsuitable for large sofas or sectionals. Webbing is only acceptable for smaller seating like armchairs and dining chairs.
Opt for robust suspension options made from heavy-gauge metal. According to interior designer Melissa Welsh, “The gold standard for high-quality sofas is eight-way, hand-tied springs, offering the most durable and comfortable suspension system.” Sinuous springs are another popular choice in mid-range price points, featuring snake-shaped metal pieces arranged in even rows to support cushions. For sofas with this budget-friendly feature, seek thicker springs with tighter curves for more support.
A lack of imperfections and a funky smell are signs of faux leather
Price disparity is a primary indicator of faux versus genuine leather. Real animal hide costs $20 to $50 more per yard than imitations. Even without a price tag, you can guess by examining physical traits. Faux and bonded leather are thinner, with smooth or repetitive embossed designs lacking imperfections. These synthetic materials may emit a chemical or fishy odor, and bonded leather often has clean-cut edges revealing its synthetic nature. Beware of products labeled “leather,” which might mislead consumers into assuming higher quality when it’s actually leatherette or pleather.
Faux leather can still be a viable option. If manufacturers are transparent about the material being vinyl, PVC, PU, or bonded leather, it might be worth the lower price, especially if other components are of good quality. For genuine leather, use your sense of smell to verify authenticity. It should emit a strong leather scent and exhibit visible pores and imperfections, wrinkling when pressed. The upholstery should feel thick yet pliable, as it’s real hide, not machine-made. Product descriptions should indicate authenticity with terms like “100% genuine leather,” “full-grain leather,” or “top-grain leather.”
Loosely woven rugs aren’t built to last
When investing in Persian, Oriental, or hand-knotted wool rugs, ensure you’re getting the best quality within your budget. Knots per square inch (KPSI) are crucial indicators of quality, as higher KPSI denotes denser, more detailed, and durable rugs. Typically, KPSI over 120 signifies good quality, though not always listed in specifications. You may need to assess rug density through observation.
If light peeks through when weaving fingers through fibers, it indicates insufficient knots, leading to bald spots and gaps. For expensive rugs or high-end comparisons, determine KPSI yourself. Bring a ruler to measure a square inch on the rug’s back, use a magnifying glass to count knots along each direction, then multiply to find KPSI.
Thin and lightweight mirrors may have warped reflections
For large mirrors, avoid the cheapest options, as many full-size mirrors under $20 lack quality. Thin glass may peel, and the silver layer may chip, leaving marks. Low-quality mirrors often show warping in reflections. Test by holding a ruler against the glass; warped rulers and uneven measurements indicate a non-flat mirror. Gio Jimenez, a custom mirror company owner, advises avoiding acrylic and Plexiglass mirrors due to distortion.
Assess mirrors using similar methods. Perform the ruler test and observe reflections for distortion. Thicker glass (at least a quarter-inch deep) is less likely to warp. Even thick glass can curve over time, especially if propped on the floor or shelf. Seek mirrors with solid backing, like wood or metal, for added support to maintain straightness.
An inflexible warranty or return policy implies that a company doesn’t have faith in its products
A manufacturer’s warranty reflects a company’s commitment to refund, repair, or replace defective products, offering customer assurance and brand accountability. While many companies offer warranties and return policies, scrutinize terms and conditions, as “lifetime” or “limited” plans may not be as comprehensive as they seem.
“Lifetime warranty” implies longevity, but read the fine print. “Lifetime” may refer to the product’s expected lifespan, as determined by the manufacturer, or its market availability or ownership by the original purchaser. “Limited” warranties require more scrutiny, often covering specific parts and excluding defects or labor costs for repairs.
Before buying furniture, thoroughly review warranty information. Seek terms like “full lifetime warranty,” ensuring customers don’t worry if purchases fall short. Consider other factors indicating fair return policies, such as customer testimonials, dispute resolutions, and reviews on sites like Better Business Bureau and Trust Pilot. Opt for third-party retailers with reliable return policies, like Costco, offering many dependable furniture brands.
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