A couple looks at furniture swatches together When you’re shopping for furniture, looks aren’t everything. While choosing something to match your décor is certainly important, comfort and quality reign supreme. As you furniture shop, use this quality checklist to ensure you’re getting only the best furniture for your home.

Inspect the Joints

There are numerous types of joints craftsmen use to build furniture, and not all are built equal. If you notice the joints are nailed, stapled, or glued, you’re looking at a piece of furniture that won’t last as long. Good craftsmen use techniques like dowel or dovetail joints to add strength and stability. Dowel joints use wooden pegs and holes to join two pieces together. A dovetail joint uses interlocking “teeth” to connect pieces. Another sign of high-quality craftsmanship is the mortise-and-tenon joint, which places the narrowed end of one piece into a hole on the other piece. Handmade or antique pieces are expected to contain imperfections, so keep this in mind when shopping around.

Check the Seams

If you’re purchasing upholstered furniture, such as a sofa, check the seams before you buy. Do the seams appear strong? If not, your furniture may wear out sooner than intended as the seams begin to come apart. Are the seams sewed unevenly? If so, it’s a sign of poor craftsmanship, and that piece of furniture is best avoided.

Research the Fabric Type

Before you settle on a piece of furniture you like, take a look at the type of fabric it’s made with. With upholstered furniture, the fabric type should be one of your major deciding factors. Research the fabric to ensure you understand its durability and its pros and cons. Some fabrics, for example, are more resistant to stains, some are better for pets, and some must be cared for more carefully. Some common fabrics you’ll run across include:
  • Cotton: Cotton is a natural plant-based fiber. It’s strong, but it stains easily and is prone to wrinkling and stretching. There are various grades of cotton fabric, with some being more luxurious than others.
  • Linen: Linen is similar to cotton, as it is also a plant-based fiber. Some of the finer grades almost resemble silk. This type of fabric is insect-resistant and doesn’t fade in the sun, but it wrinkles easily and doesn’t do well in high humidity.
  • Silk: Silk is a high-quality, animal-based fabric that’s mildew-resistant and easy to wash. However, it doesn’t do well in sunlight.
  • Wool: Another animal-based fiber, wool comes in many forms, from hard and smooth to soft and fuzzy. It’s wrinkle- and soil-resistant, durable, and resists mildew and fading from sunlight. However, this fabric doesn’t handle insects well, so avoid it for outdoor furniture.
  • Leather: A popular animal-based fabric for furniture is leather. Leather is durable and resistant to stains. It’s easy to clean, as it can simply be wiped down. It also doesn’t absorb smells well, which is great news for pet owners and smokers. It’s a little pricier than other fabrics, however. Be aware that there are many faux leather fabrics available, though these options typically don’t last as long as genuine leather.
  • Nylon: Nylon is a man-made fabric often used in knits, velvets, and weaves. It resists mildew and wrinkles, but it’s not very durable, especially in sunlight.
  • Polyester: Another man-made fabric, polyester, is often combined with other fibers like cotton. It is fairly stain-resistant and durable.

See if it’s Creaky

Creaky furniture, especially pieces that twist or wobble, is not a good sign. It means something is wrong with the manufacturing of the piece, and there’s a good chance it won’t last long. If shopping for chairs or beds, take a seat to see if the frame squeaks. For other furniture like dressers, press gently on either side to see if it wobbles or creaks. A good piece of furniture should be level with the floor and make no noise when pressure is applied.

Examine the Drawers

If the piece you’re looking at comes with drawers, open them to check their quality. Wood-on-wood slides are a bad sign. Positive signs include:
  • Rails that glide easily
  • Stops that prevent the drawer from falling out
  • Drawers that lay flush with the front of the piece
  • Dust panel or thin sheets of wood between drawers
  • Floating bottoms
Finding a quality piece of furniture shouldn’t be too difficult if you know what you’re looking for. Start with this checklist to make your next furniture shopping trip a breeze. The Back Store is a provider of premium furniture that we select for comfort and quality. We’re picky about what we select, and you should be, too. From office chairs to comfy sofas, The Back Store is the perfect furniture destination.