This cut little side chair is bound to stir a lot of interest. The colors and fabric pattern are cute, but buyer beware. The description of the chair is purposely evasive such as "made of wood" and "hand upholstered construction." ($259.99)

Tips for Avoiding Cheap Furniture

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Materials 

Casegoods - The end tables I saw had chipped legs from just being taken on and off the shelf.  The description says they are made of “solid wood.”  If they are not telling you what type of wood, you can be sure it’s not a quality hardwood. 

Upholstery - The most important parts are hidden from view.  When it comes to upholstery, you can get some information on the cushion tag.  When it comes to the frame, you need to ask questions.  Don’t buy a sofa without speaking to a salesperson and getting the details.  The best sofas are made from kiln-dried hardwoods such as oak, maple and poplar.  Soft woods such as pine will warp and break down.

Finish

The table says is had a chocolate finish.  It does not say stained, which is not surprising because to apply a stain finish you need to start with a decent quality wood.  So these items are painted to look like they are stained. 

Painting = Chipping.  That is a tough repair.

This floor lamp has a nice silhouette but it might not look like this when you receive it. I noticed that some lampshades shipped in the same box with the base. The fabric shades are collapsed in the box, leaving you with wrinkles that may never go away. ($69.99).

Claims 

Especially in upholstery, if they claim a “no-sag” cushion, take a pass.  A good quality sofa is made with a hardwood frame and 8-way hand tied coil springs.  Cheaper lines use zig-zag springs in the seat, which should only be used in back cushions.  Find out what the warranty is and get it in writing.

Cost 

There is nothing more expensive then a cheap piece of furniture.  I know the upfront costs may be a little more than you wanted to spend but when you divide it over the life of a piece, it is well worth it.  If you buy a cheap sofa for $600 and it only lasts one year, that is much more expensive than a $1,200 sofa that lasts 6 years.  ($600/year vs. $200/year)

The Darby table is by designer Victoria Hagan, whose designs I adore. But the chips and dents I saw don't speak well for the materials. Remember that they pay big bucks to license a well-known designer's name and you are paying for that. ($69.99)

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I am just using Target as an example but there are many stores like this that are a  Jack of All Trades, Master of None.  They use big designer names to suck you in but you must remember that your expectations for a t-shirt are very different than those you have for a piece of furniture.   So be thoughtful on where you purchase furniture and get the facts before jumping in.  Big sales can be tempting but I want you to find the best quality furniture that you can afford.

~Lorrie

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Tags: decorating tips, furniture

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