The Ultimate Guide for Buying High-End Wooden Furniture

The Ultimate Guide for Buying High-End Wooden Furniture

You may have often wondered whether there are certain things you need to know when considering buying luxury items since they are quite a big investment. But if you are tired of cheap furniture and their lack of durability, then it is time you invest in high-end solid wood furniture. However, if you do not know much about these unique items, then you will find the selection process to be very complex. Sure, you can detect a few scratches, stain spots or choose some colour, but it takes a different skill set to determine a product’s longevity just by looking at it.

What is ‘High-End’ Furniture?

The term “high-end” denotes quality rather than price, though often both of them are high for these products. High-end furniture has the potential to be a statement piece in your interior décor, so do not take it lightly when choosing them.  Before you decide what to buy, consider the construction, composition, and design of the furniture piece to understand if it will last for decades.

A Checklist for High-end Furniture Buyers

Here is a checklist of all the information to help you buy high-end wooden furniture confidently.

1. Wood Types

Being knowledgeable about the different wood types is crucial when you are purchasing high-end wooden furnishing. In general, there are 3 types of wood categories in furniture:

• Solid Wood
  This is comparatively the more expensive of the 3 types and the best looking too, but it has one major vulnerability to scratches and water rings.
• Veneers
  The inexpensive wood base is layered with better-quality wood in this case. Due to the cheaper core, the cost of this product is not as high as the solid wood items.
• Composite Wood or Particle Board
  These are the cheapest options on this list. Great in appearance but not in durability, these products are manufactured combining scraps, such as wood pulp, plastics and resin.

2. Composition

When it comes to buying quality wooden furniture, there are certain common myths. For example, it is a common notion that hardwoods are hard and softwoods are soft, which is not true. Here are some pointers to keep in mind:

• In reality, hardwood is just wood collected from deciduous trees, while softwood is derived from coniferous trees.
• When purchasing high-end quality furniture for a durable luxurious furnishing, look for a product which has scratch-resistant wood on its exposed surface. You can easily test it by drawing a thin line across it with your fingernail. If you notice any visible mark, then the product might not be a sustainable option.
• If you are concerned about the structure, then solid wood or sturdy plywood should be your choice, however, for plywood, at least pick one that at least has nine layers.
• Pay attention to the knots in the wood even in the unexposed areas, as they are vulnerable to cracks. Some wood has more knots than the other species, and you need to avoid them.
• If having a valuable luxury item is your goal, then steer clear of composite wood. As mentioned earlier, veneer can be a good alternative to solid wood, but you can refinish them for only a limited number of times.

3. Construction

Joints

If you are going for wooden furniture, the determining factor is the joint construction. Avoid anything that is joined together using staples, nails, or glue.
The alternative is furniture where the wood is joined at the corners. Also known as wood joinery, these have a much sturdier construction for bearing more weight.

Wood joinery is the factor that makes or breaks a product- the more difficult the joint, the stronger the furniture.
Some of the most popular joints in the manufacturing world are:

• Dowel Joint
  Short wooden bolts or pegs are attached to opposite, but aligned holes, that are drilled in each piece of wood.
• Mortise-and-Tenon Joint
  A traditional joint where the narrow end of one piece goes through a hole in another piece.
• Through-Dovetail Joint
  Perhaps the best looking of the lot, these interlocking square joints take a lot of patience and precision to be cut accurately. These are the strongest joints because of the interlocking aspect.
• Butt Joint
  The simplest of joints, with two wood pieces connected either at the corners or edge to edge, and strengthened using glue blocks or screws.
• Dado Joint
  More prominent on bookcase shelves, one end of a piece is connected with a dado cut of the other.
• Lap Joint
  A variant of the butt joint, which is strengthened using glue and a rabbet.
• Miter Joint
  A very accurately cut corner joint.
• Tongue-and-Groove Joint
  Two similar pieces are joined together, that permits wood shrinkage.

Among these options, dovetail and mortise-and-tenon joints are the best ones, while dowels are good too. Just make sure, that there is a reinforcing block attached to the corners at an angle.

Cabinets and Drawers

• The next thing you need to check is how the drawers and cabinets open. Pull them out to the maximum extent and ensure the fastening is proper.
• There should be stops for preventing any accidental pulling out.
• Pay attention to the fitting of the knobs and handles.
• See if you can find thin wooden sheets between a chest of drawers or desk. These are called dust panels, and though not absolutely necessary, they do contribute to the overall structural strength of the product.
• Lift the piece from one corner to see if it twists or squeaks.
• Make sure that all the legs of the furniture are touching the floor evenly and the piece does not wobble.

Due to the variety of products, you also get more options to find high-end furniture that is suitable for you. With this checklist, you can now confidently look for quality furniture for your home. Just make sure that you check the seating options for comfort, and you will never go wrong with a timeless and high-quality wood product.