Home Furnishings

Do You Like Shopping for Home Furnishings? Some people could spend all day shopping. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them, so I have a few guidelines I follow when shopping for home furnishings.

• Sit in the chair or sofa you think you might purchase. Better quality furniture is usually more amply sized; seating space is roomier and the arms and legs are more substantial. Quality furniture contains more raw materials (such as springs, frame and cushion) and will be heavier than a lower quality piece of the same material.
   
• Examine the finish. An even, rich and deep paint or stain finish should not be used to camouflage flaws. If the finish is translucent, it should be even and the grain should show through. If it is an opaque finish, the consistency should be even - not bubbled or showing brush strokes. Winker and rattan pieces should be smooth without splinters - and not clogged with paint.
   
• Check the Cushions. Neat, well-defined corners or curves, securely attached details and buttons and inconspicuous seams are the signs of a quality cushion. The contour should be plump and well shaped; a squashed appearance usually indicates insufficient stuffing.
    
• Look beneath the surface. Lift the cushions or turn the furniture over to see how it's constructed. Look for loose screws, padding that's not sewn correctly, insufficient support and springs that are obvious or unprotected.
    
• Examine the details. Fine quality furniture has less apparent welding, better sanding and finishing and mechanisms to conceal hardware. Nuts, screws and bolts should be colored to match the piece and should be protected from rust. Welting should be stitched straight and the joinings should not be prominent. 
   
• Study the styling. Excellent design shows. Copies of successful designs re everywhere; however, check them carefully to make sure that the manufacturer hasn't cut corners. 
   
• Consider the Conditions. Choose the furniture based on where it will be placed and how it will be used. If you want a sofa to sit in front of a picture window, think how the fabric will fade and choose one with fewer patterns and less color. If the kitchen table is where your kids do their homework, select one with a strong finish. As a rule of thumb, always keep placement, style and use in mind when you are shopping for home furnishings.