Structure of Furniture

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Furniture is a major investment and, like any investment, you will want to make sure you get the most for your money. If you have been shopping recently you have probably discovered that there are many things to consider when it comes time to purchase new furniture. Fabric, color, style, size and shape are all things that readily come to mind. But it is what's behind the scene (or under the upholstery) that is often the most important factor.

Take, for example, a dining room table. There are several shapes from which to choose including round, oval, square or rectangular, and the choice of finishes ranges from glass to metal to stone to finished wood. But the actual structure of the furniture is very important. Ask yourself these questions; is it possible to expand the size of the table with pull out leaves? Do these pull out leaves alter the shape of the table i.e. a round table becomes an oval, a square table becomes a rectangle? And will that new shape still fit into your dining room? How easy is it to pull the leaves out and replace them? Remember to always measure the height of a table to insure that your chairs will fit comfortably underneath. A dining table is most often about 30" from the ground, allowing a seat height of up to 18" to easily fit. These are questions you will want answered before you make your decision as to which table to purchase.

If you are buying a dresser, buffet, nightstand or any furniture piece that has drawers similar structural questions apply. While the style and finish are important there are other things to consider. Do the drawers have a slide locking system that prevents them from opening all the way and falling out? This is especially important if you have young children or elderly parents living in the home. Can the dresser be mounted to the wall for safety purposes? Does the dresser have easy glide drawers that open and close smoothly? Antique or hand-me-down items will not always conform to safety standards so beware of placing used furniture in a child's area.

Upholstered furniture pieces such as a sofa, loveseat or club chair also have structural elements to consider. Certainly the comfort factor is important. That comfort factor can be determined by simply sitting on the item to see how it feels. Find out if the cushions have been filled with down, foam or a combination of both. Take a cue from Goldilocks and ask yourself if the stuffing is too soft, too hard or just right. Are the cushions deep enough to accommodate you comfortably or do they need to be smaller or larger? Has the frame been properly glued and nailed together and is there a spring system that will insure comfort and longevity?

When it comes time to purchase wooden chairs for a desk, dining table or occasional seating you will, once again, want to take a look at the structure of the chair. Has it been constructed so that it is sturdy and does not wobble? Can it handle the weight of an average person? Does the seat of the chair offer a scooped out shape that is comfortable to sit in? You should also measure the depth, width and seat height to make sure it allows plenty of room to fit under your table or desk.

If purchasing "green" furniture is important to you there are questions you can ask to determine just how environmentally friendly your furniture piece is. For example, find out if any of the wood used in the construction of your furniture piece was responsibly harvested. It is also important to know if glues and finishes that may contain toxins were used. Many furniture manufacturers use nails in place of glue to reduce the toxins and finishes are often low VOC stains. Foam stuffing can also emit toxins into the air. Therefore, some furniture manufacturers are offering upholstered products that have been stuffed with natural material such as buckwheat or recycled foam. Keep in mind that imported products do not always meet the same green standards we have come to expect in the U.S.

It would be a good idea to print these recommendations out and take them with you next time you go shopping for new furniture. Regardless of the size of your budget, in today's tough economic times, arming yourself with just a little bit of knowledge will help you get the best value for your dollar.