Like most shopping experiences, bargain shopping for furniture requires research, planning and a little patience. Because it’s one of the biggest purchases you’ll make, it’s important to take the time to learn about furniture design, construction, manufacturing and marketing. Here are some basic tips to get you started.

Price is not a good indication of quality.
Neither are famous manufacturer names. They often use nice veneers on top of junky wood. Retail mark up can be as high as 300%-500% or as low as 25% depending upon where you buy it. MSRP or List is often a marketing tool to help the retailer who often sells the items for less 20%-40% less creating the look of a deal, but who actually is selling a market value.

Look for locally manufactured designer furniture. It is often as good as or better than the big famous manufacturers. They usually employee craftsmen and have a lower overhead with less markup to cover costs like importing, advertising and marketing, shipping, insurance and labor.

Use is first consideration.
When you’re in the market to buy, the first consideration is how the piece will be used. Knowing how you want to use a piece will help you decide the quality level you need. After you have determined how much use a piece will get, then you can determine the quality level and what you can afford.

For example: Buying for a dorm room or temporary housing is a vastly different concept than buying for a family home. A kitchen table should have a tougher finish on it than a formal dining table. Outdoor pieces should be able to stand up to some of the elements without fading or breaking down. Think of how the furniture will be used and for how long you want it to last.

Don’t trust the salesman. Their first job is to sell.
Just because a salesman says it is "solid wood" doesn't mean it is good. Particle board and MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) are still "wood". They are very hard to repair and much heavier than "real" wood. These pieces don’t last under heavy use and scratches, dents and dings are near impossible to repair or hide. Always ask, "What kind of solid wood?" Make sure you sit on, examine and try out the furniture you want to buy.

Don’t forget, furniture stores are in business to make money. If a store runs a ton of radio, print and TV ads, ask how can they afford to sell quality furniture for less… unless it is actually cheaper quality goods.

Construction is the key.
Lift cushions and look at the underneath fabric. Springs should not be obvious, easily felt or unprotected. Cushions should be covered completely with the same fabric. Different fabrics or attached cushions are a shortcut to decrease costs. Piping should be straight, fabric shouldn’t be over tight. Cushion content should have a higher density of foam or natural fill. The under area of an upholstered piece will clue you into the quality of construction that went into the piece.

Neat, tidy corners, securely attached details, unobtrusive seams show the quality in construction. Look for uniform piping, use of fabric design, finished seams, metal zippers and consistency in shaping and design. The shape should be plump and well-formed, never squashed or flat. A down filled cushion should never leak feathers. Cushions should fit snugly, evenly together and flush with the support base.

Look at the back of hard case good… Armoires, hutches, dressers etc. Open the drawers, cabinets of hard case goods. Look underneath tables and chairs to see how the piece is made. Look for dove tail and dowel joints. Drawers should slide smoothly and close, evenly and flush with the frame.

Hard case goods should be made of solid woods, not press board, particle board or fiberboard. Top veneers are often used on top of lower quality pressboard, particle or fiber board. A lesser quality piece of wood is commonly used in back of drawers, underneath tables and so on. Avoid pressboard, plastic and metal whenever possible.

There are two types of upholstered furniture frames, the cheap plywood frame and better hardwood frames. Avoid plywood frames at all costs. Hardwood frames should come from hard wood… not pine and be kiln dried with dowel joints.

Styling
Styling is important. Consider where the piece will be situated in your home. How versatile is it? Will it compliment existing furniture pieces? Is it to scale with your home? Is it a style that will last for years or is it so trendy it will look dated quickly?

Fabric
Cottons, sadly don't last near as long as the synthetics. Micro fiber fabrics last a long time and are easy to care for. Chenille, cotton poly blends, tapestries also wear better. Look for consistency in color, fibers and pattern.

Always buy the highest quality furniture you can afford.
By buying the best you can afford, you’re lessening the need to make the purchase again for a long time (time =money). Good quality furniture holds on to its’ value for a longer period of time, so you can resell it later if you don’t want to keep it.

Lastly, and most important, do your research before you shop.
Learn the market rates for the item you’re looking for. The internet has websites for the better manufacturers. Do not rely solely on the reputation of the manufacturer to pick your piece. With the changing market place, it’s the consumer’s job to know quality when they see it. If you have never bought a higher end piece, find the most upscale, established furniture store you can and go visit.

Ask lots of questions on everything… fabric content, how they’re made, where the product is made and so on. Touch is one of the best overall ways to establish quality. Touch everything… but be sure your hands are clean before touching.”

Suzanne O'Connor