Most furniture you buy today won’t last more than a few years. In fact, it’s designed that way!
Mass-produced furniture is intended to break down so you’ll continue to need more, and it’s become standard for chain and big box stores to make furniture that won’t stand up to the wear and tear of real life.
If you are looking for furniture that’s built to last, this can be super frustrating! Here at The Amish Craftsman, we find it frustrating too.
We’re being conditioned to think that home furnishings are like trends in fashion. That’s wrong.
In this age of fads, we are expected to replace our furniture every two or three years as trends come and go. It’s built cheaply because it’s designed to be thrown away in a few years.
Sometimes it’s tempting to buy the cheap stuff because it seems cute, affordable, and fun. But remember, it’s not as inexpensive as it seems. Bad furniture falls apart quickly, forcing you to buy new again—which really doesn’t save you any money at all. You’ll end up paying more for cheap furniture in the long run than if you invest in a high-quality piece of handmade furniture.
It’s better to go for a quality piece. You’ll save money in the long run AND you’ll get something you love.
But how can you tell the difference between a quality piece and something that’s cheaply made?
There are a couple of easy ways to spot poorly built furniture right out of the gate and avoid wasting money and having the furniture fall apart on you in a few years.
Joints are the easiest way to spot bad furniture
Furniture should be like your twenties—good joints. If things are aching and creaking like your furniture is coming down with arthritis, you want to find something better.
Here’s what to watch out for:
Bad: Staples, Nails, & Glue
This is how most big chain stores make their furniture. If you can see staples, nails, or wood glue, that’s a big sign your furniture is not going to last. Putting weight on the furniture applies stress to the vulnerable joints. If the joints aren’t strong, after a while, a break is inevitable.
Good: Reinforced Corner Blocks, Dowels, & Screws
If you see reinforced corner blocks, dowels, and screws, you’re headed in the right direction. This is a sign that someone gave some thought to quality. Dowels and screws are great reinforcers and provide solid joints.
Great: Dovetail, Mortise & Tenon
Dovetail joints and mortise & tenon joints are high-quality joints that fit one part of the furniture into another part, for a tight and strong fit. You can only really get this from real craftsmen who spend the time to handmake each piece to perfection. These types of joints aren’t just the hallmark of a sturdy piece, they’re also aesthetically beautiful and instantly recognizable.
Pay attention to the joints next time you buy furniture. Quality joint construction keeps you from ending up with those wobbly kitchen chairs that make you afraid you are going to end up on the floor and other furniture disasters!
Looking for more furniture-buying tips? Read our blog post on 13 Tips & Tricks To Help You Pick High-Quality Furniture.
Our Craftsmen Build to Perfection
See the difference that hand-built furniture makes in your life—no more creaks, breaks, or veneer peeling back. Instead, you’ll just have furniture you love, built to become a reliable piece of your family’s history.
At The Amish Craftsman, we make high-quality solid-wood furniture with real dovetail joints and mortise & tenon joints. We offer furniture for your entire home, including:
Stop the cycle of cheap furniture, and get something you’ll love to live with for the rest of your life. Talk to one of our design consultants today to get started!
