For many, arranging a living space is a pleasant process, full of worries and choices. People are happy to choose furniture, imagining how it will organically fit into the interior and provide comfort for many years. All these factors are really important: interior items should be aesthetically attractive, but quality comes first. Even the most elegant furniture will not be able to please its owner for a long time if it starts to creak or fall apart in the first months of use. The ability to correctly assess the quality of products is a key component of a successful purchase.
What to consider first when buying furniture
When choosing furniture, regardless of its purpose, style or material, the most important factor is the presence of a safety certificate. All furniture manufacturers provide relevant documents, and they are worth studying before making a purchase. There are several key criteria that you need to pay attention to when assessing the quality of furniture.
In addition, there are additional aspects that will help determine whether the purchased furniture will last longer than the established warranty period. Most people prefer to choose wardrobes, beds and sofas for more than one year, so quality products should have a long service life, often reaching decades.
Key criteria for choosing furniture
When buying furniture, the first thing many buyers pay attention to is the design and color. This is an important stage, since the furniture must harmoniously fit into the overall style of the interior and perform its functions. However, after the aesthetic parameters are determined, attention should be paid to the quality, on which comfort and durability depend.
Here are the main criteria to pay attention to when evaluating furniture before purchasing:
- Smell
All materials have their own smell, but it should not be too sharp or intrusive. If you smell a strong aroma of fabric, wood or varnish when passing by furniture, this may indicate low quality. Good furniture should not emit strong smells.
- Processing of parts
Rate the appearance furniture, looking inside. An attractive facade can be deceptive. If the internal parts have sloppy cuts or unfinished edges, this indicates that the manufacturer is cutting corners. Such products cannot be considered high-quality.
- Accessories
Ask the seller to demonstrate the product's functions. The mechanisms should work smoothly and without extraneous sounds. Also pay attention to the visual condition of the fittings - high-quality elements do not have roughness, obvious welding or paint smudges.
When choosing furniture, it is also worth paying attention to the additional services offered. The possibility of delivery, assembly and warranty indicates that the seller is confident in the quality of his products.
How to choose furniture made of natural wood
Solid wood furniture is one of the most expensive materials, so special requirements are imposed on such products. Tables, chairs, beds, cabinets and upholstered furniture elements are made of natural wood. Before buying, it is important to make sure of the quality of the selected product.
Key parameters for choosing wooden furniture:
- Wood class
Pay attention to the presence of knots. If there are many, this may indicate low quality of the material.
- Surfaces and their coatings
Even budget models should not have dents, scratches or roughness. The surface should be smooth and the coating even, without smudges and color spots.
- Method of fastening
Furniture elements must be connected with special grooves. Additional metal fasteners are allowed, but the presence of characteristic cuts on the parts indicates the quality and durability of the product.
- Internal parts
Quality furniture should have protection not only on the outside. Varnish or other coating of all surfaces prevents deformation from moisture and the appearance of mold.
The only exception may be products with an aging effect, whose surface is specially treated to achieve a certain appearance.
How to choose furniture from MDF and chipboard
MDF and chipboard are among the most common materials for creating interior items. Modern furniture made from these materials has high resistance to moisture, strength and durability.
When assessing the quality of furniture made of MDF and chipboard, it is important to ask the seller for a safety certificate. These materials are produced by gluing wood chips and pressing, and the health of your family depends on the safety of the compounds used.
Criteria for assessing the quality of furniture made of MDF and chipboard:
- Surface
It should be smooth and even. No bulges, roughness or drips - their presence indicates low quality. Run your hand over the surface: if you have the slightest doubt, it is better to refuse the purchase.
- Ends: No defects allowed
They are processed with a special tape. Visible discrepancies in the dimensions of the parts, glue drips or unevenness should raise suspicions about the quality of the product.
- Joints
All elements must be connected without gaps. If there are gaps or excess glue is visible, this indicates poor quality.
- Accessories
It should be smooth and solid. Roughness or nicks on the surface indicate poor quality of the metal, which will lead to the need to replace it soon.
It is difficult to visually check the quality of fittings, so it is worth contacting a trusted seller who is ready to provide all the necessary certificates.
Before buying, do not hesitate to open drawers and doors, look inside and inspect the back wall. In quality furniture, everything should be up to standard, not just the facades. Such a careful approach to selection will help you avoid unnecessary expenses on repairs and new interior items.
In addition, do not save on furniture assembly - it is better to entrust it to professionals. Our craftsmen will be able to correctly install complex structures and adjust the operation of fittings. Self-assembly may lead to loss of warranty in case of hidden defects during operation.
How to choose upholstered furniture and beds
When choosing upholstered furniture and beds, the main focus should be on comfort and tactile sensations, which depend on the type of upholstery and interior filling. Do not be afraid to try out a sofa or bed, because the quality of your rest will depend on your impressions.
The appearance of the furniture is also important; it should be in harmony with the style of the room and the color scheme. However, in addition to these basic criteria, experts recommend paying attention to the design elements.
Criteria for assessing the quality of upholstered furniture and beds:
- Frame material
This can be MDF, chipboard, metal or wood. If the strength of the structure is not in doubt, pay attention to the condition of the surface of the elements. Welded seams on metal parts should be smooth, MDF or chipboard joints should be neat, without glue drips, and wood should be treated with protective compounds.
- Internal filling
Assess the elasticity and comfort. The springs should not make sounds, and the other materials should restore their shape within a few seconds. If you feel a "failure" when sitting down, such furniture will not provide a comfortable rest.
- Upholstery material
Pay attention to durability. Quality products usually have double stitching. If the seams have stretched threads or unevenness, this can lead to fabric divergence at the joints. The quality of material processing directly affects the appearance of furniture during use.
- Smell
If you feel a sharp and suffocating aroma, it is better to postpone such a choice. Since we spend a lot of time on beds and sofas, the environment of synthetic smells can negatively affect health. Quality furniture should not have a strong smell.
The right choice of furniture is based on many factors: price, convenience and appearance. However, the main criterion remains quality, since it determines the safety of using the product and its durability. This affects how the furniture will look after the warranty period and when you will have to think about buying new interior items.
