How to Buy Quality, Affordable Furniture
From settling down in a more permanent spot, to joining forces with some type of life partner, to simply aging out of Ikea, there are a multitude of reasons we all eventually transition to that “seeking higher quality furniture” stage of life. But what do you do when your furniture budget hasn’t quite yet transitioned along with you?
If dropping a few thousand dollars on a new sofa still seems like a hard pill to swallow, we’ve got some tips and tricks you can use to invest in quality furniture pieces that won’t break the bank, or just... break (looking at you, MALM bed from college).
Know What You’re Buying
Before you begin hunting for whatever piece you need, take a little time to learn about the different materials and construction methods used in furniture so you’re not shopping blind. Wood pieces typically fall into one of three categories: solid wood, wood veneer, and particle board or wood composite.
Solid wood is the highest quality of the three, and therefore typically the most expensive. It can stand up for several decades but is more susceptible to scratches and stains. Solid wood furniture is a great candidate for refinishing, so if you happen to find a well-made piece at a flea market or estate sale but it has a few dings, or you’re not in love with the finish, imagine what some new stain or a few coats of paint might do to give it a new life!
While wood veneer furniture is still constructed from solid wood, it usually involves a lesser quality wood being used as the main core of the piece, and then a very thin layer of better-quality wood being applied on top of that to accept any stain or finish. It has the look of solid wood furniture, but can often be purchased at a lower cost. It is fairly sturdy in construction, but these veneers cannot be easily repaired from surface scratches and stains. Older pieces are more prone to show wear and tear.
The most affordable, and lowest quality type of wood furniture is made from particleboard or composites of wood, plastic, resins, etc. formed together and laminated into solid sheets. These pieces are lighter in weight, extremely susceptible to chips, stains, and moisture, and are not intended to last for more than a few years. Wood composite pieces are the furniture industry’s equivalent of “fast fashion” (though perhaps even worse for the environment) and are built to be swapped out every few seasons to achieve a more trendy look.
Photos courtesy of Styled by Austin + Megmade.
Pay Attention to Construction
In addition to understanding the type of wood or material, it’s important to take notice of how a piece of furniture is built. Whether new or used, the construction type can play a part in how durable a piece is, what it can be used for, and how long you might expect it to last. Ideally, you’ll want to look for pieces that are made using the different methods of traditional wood joinery versus relying solely on glue, staples, and nails.
Also inspect any moving parts and pieces, or areas that are prone to damage such as:
Drawers and sliding mechanisms
Doors
Hinges
Latches
Cabinet hardware (handles, knobs, and pulls)
Any glass components
Legs, feet, and arms
Look at how each of these components are constructed, and how they’re attached to each other, as well as the main body of the piece. For example, a table leg that is simply nailed and/or glued to the table top will be much more prone to coming loose over time versus one that is made using a mortise and tenon joint, or even a surface plate and hanger bolts.
For upholstered pieces, ask questions about the filling and test out the springs. A traditional coil spring should sit a bit firmer, while a zig-zag spring will be softer. Remove the cushion and press down on the seat base to make sure the piece springs back easily.
Choose the Right Pieces for Your Lifestyle
Speaking of upholstered pieces, try to be realistic with yourself and make choices based on what you know about your lifestyle and your plans for using the piece. If your family includes kids and pets, or even if you’re accident-prone and a fan of red wine, stick to fabric colors and performance types that can stand up to how you live.
A sofa with cushions that are on the firmer end will tend to last a bit longer. Also, if the same upholstery fabric is on both sides of the cushion (versus being backed with something else underneath) you may be able to extend the lifespan even further by flipping and rotating the cushions from time to time. Bonus if the covers are also removable and washable!
By thinking about your furniture purchases in this way, you can also prioritize your spending to make your dollars stretch further. For example, you might invest a bit more in a new bed frame and mattress for your primary bedroom, but opt to spend a little less on a seldom-used guest bedroom.
Have a Strategy for When (and Where) You Buy
If you’re not in an emergency situation, pay attention to the sale cycles for new furniture. There is always a sale going on in the furniture industry, so if you've got your eye on something full-priced today, chances are it will be on sale in a few months (or you’ll be emailed a discount code soon enough). There is also somewhat of a formula on the right time to buy, depending on what you’re looking for. Indoor furniture pieces are typically priced to sell during any holidays aligned with the changing seasons, like President’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. February and August are particularly great times to buy furniture as retailers prepare for new spring and fall pieces. Outdoor furniture is typically on sale at its lowest prices starting end of August through October in brick-and-mortar stores. Further into winter is also a great time to buy outdoor furniture online, as warehouses are needing to make room for spring inventory.
While shopping online can be super convenient, there are a few perks for paying a visit to your local furniture store. First, you’ll have the opportunity to “kick the tires” and try a piece out to see how it looks, and if it’s actually comfortable, or really fits your body. Second, you may have the ability to take advantage of special in-store discounts and promotions, or at the very least online price matching. While haggling may be uncomfortable or seem tacky to you, in-store sales associates tend to be more likely to negotiate the price of a piece if you ask versus making an online purchase — especially if they’re commission-based. And if they truly can’t budge on the price, they might be willing to throw in some freebies like delivery, or pillows. You can also take advantage of steep discounts on floor models or store samples at times!
Keep in mind that this type of strategizing only really applies to in-stock furniture pieces. Since custom pieces are made on-demand, retailers, unfortunately, don’t have a need to offer any type of discount there (like, ever).
The Hidden Cost of Cheap Furniture
While scooping up a bargain can be hard to resist, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. To start, there is no denying the long-term costs of replacing bargain furniture time and time again. In addition to its poor quality, cheap furniture often comes with many hidden costs such as delivery and setup fees, or poor customer service which can create real issues down the road if something arrives incorrect or damaged.
While there are some deals to be found as mentioned above, and many different things to consider when looking for your next piece, be realistic and keep in mind that you will almost always certainly get what you pay for.
Are you just starting out in a new space and looking for more budget-friendly design advice?
Custom Interior Design packages from Studio 1049 are perfect for the savvy DIY-er who’s interested in exploring new paint schemes, room configurations, or updating their furnishings and décor!