When going on a furniture shopping spree, the first thing that you need to keep in mind is the materials you are going to choose. Negotiate with your salesman to find furniture that is built with good-quality wood, metal, or plastic. If you are buying a wooden item like a chest, dining table, or desk, make sure it's built with maple, mahogany, cherry, or similar wood. If you are purchasing a metal furniture item like a floor lamp, nightstand, or corner rack, choose firm and dense options steel, aluminum, or iron.
When shopping for furniture items like a sofa, chair, or mattress, it’s important to consider the inner frame as well. The durability of your furniture item depends directly on its foundation and joinery. You might have liked the upholstery of that couch but what about its interior materials? When buying a sofa or a chair choose frames that are built with hardwood preferably oak, teak, or rosewood. Or if you are purchasing something like a pocket spring mattress make sure it's made with good-quality metal.
When shopping for upholstery furniture like a sofa or mattress, things like padding and fillings play a vital role in durability. A poorly padded sofa seat or a cheaply built mattress can easily become compressed over time. Whereas, good padding and innerspring structure is made to last 7 - 10 years without any replacements or repadding. Choosing padding and filling that are made of high-density foam or a combination of foam and feathers. Also, don't forget to test the sofa seat by sitting or pressing firmly and see how quickly or how slowly it re-molds into its original shape.
When purchasing an upholstered furniture piece, you need to make sure that it has durable fabric. Fabric durability is highly important as it affects the wear and tear of the item. For long-lasting upholstered furniture, choose synthetic fibers as they are generally stronger than natural materials. Options like microfiber, polyesters, and nylon are excellent choices for items like sofas, chairs, or ottomans. However, there is an exception to this case. Leather is a natural fabric but it can last up to decades if maintained properly.
Besides choosing durable fabrics, you also want furniture that is easy to clean and manage. Generally, furniture items like a sofa seat or upholstered ottoman can easily show signs of wear and tear if not maintained properly. A newly bought couch can end up looking old and rusty if it has fabric that is hard to clean. Opt for upholstery fabrics that have stain-resistant qualities such as microfiber, polyester, nylon, or acrylic. Leather is another great stain-resistant option for that spotless and clean couch look.
The hardware of your furniture items should be equally durable and substantial if you want to invest in high-quality pieces. When purchasing items like drawers, cabinets, or chests, check the joinery and materials of the hardware. See if it's attached firmly and made with sturdy materials. Moreover, don't forget to take a close look inside the drawers and cabinets to check the lamination quality and adhesiveness. Choose laminates that have durable finishes like PVC and Acrylic to increase the longevity of your purchased products.
When choosing furniture items, especially for outdoors, a key factor to keep in mind is weather resistance. If you live in a place that has both summer period and winter, consider buying pieces that are adaptable to all seasons. Choose materials that are resilient to every weather condition. If you want wooden furniture, options like Cedar, Ipe, and Cypress are the best for both hot and cold seasons. If you are sticking with metal items, which are known for their outdoor durability, ensure that it’s stain-proof and rust-proof as well.