Walk into any furniture store, open up any sales paper, or just go to any online furniture site and you’re sure to find a bedroom furniture sale going on in your neck of the woods. At first glance, it may look like they’re offering a really good deal but as the saying goes, “let the buyer beware”. You want to make sure that you’re really getting a good deal and you’re buying quality furniture. Price should never be the sole determining factor when it comes to buying new bedroom furniture or used bedroom furniture but if tempered with a superior product, it can make it worth your time to investigate.
When Buying Wood Furniture:
One thing to check for when buying wood furniture on sale is the composition. With modern technology, it is possible to make even the shoddiest of materials look like fine wood furniture. Quality wood furniture will have a coating that is virtually scratch resistant. To test for this, simply drag your fingernail across the wood. If you can see a dent afterwards you can be pretty sure that it won’t stand up to much real wear and tear once you get it home.
You also want to make sure to test the structure of the wood. Make sure that it is sturdy and solid. Even plywood can make for some good furniture if you have enough layers of it to keep it strong. Ideally, you want to see at least nine layers of wood for plywood and less for the stronger types of wood. Look for knots in the wood as these are areas of vulnerability and potential cracking later on. The more knots you see in the wood, the less durable it will be. And avoid the cheaper construction materials like particleboard, pressed wood or fiberboard.
Construction:
At a bedroom furniture sale don’t forget to check the construction of the furniture. Take a close look at the materials used to assemble the piece. Stay away from anything held together by staples or glue. Instead, you want to find dowels, screws or the dovetail interlocking teeth. These will withstand much more pressure and will last you for many years. With regards to the drawers, look for the floating bottoms that run smoothly on glides with stops in place to prevent them from being pulled too far out.
Upholstery:
If the bedroom set is upholstered look for furnishings with removable cushions. Don’t be afraid to open them up and look inside. A good set will have a sturdy piece of foam wrapped with Dacron, cotton, or down. When it is only foam you’ll find the cushions will quickly break down and become lumpy and uncomfortable.
While we are all in search of a great deal on our household furniture whenever you find a bedroom furniture sale never forget to check for quality first. No deal is a good deal if it will need to be replaced too soon. By taking the additional step to make sure that you’re getting the best quality for your dollar, you’ll find that the sale will be well worth the investment you make with it.
