Watch out for furniture that is poorly made. To ensure that you are purchasing a sofa that will withstand the punishment your family can do to your sofa turn the sofa upside down and look at the structure of the sofa. Poorly made furniture will be made using 1×1’s instead of 2×2.
If you are purchasing a recliner, give it a test run at the store. Often times people don’t do this and are disappointed to find the furniture doesn’t work. Sometimes, once you purchase an item and have it delivered, it can be very difficult to get it replaced.
Learn more about a sofa’s springs. If the sales associate assisting you isn’t able to tell you more about the system, ask to talk with another employee. Check to see if the sofa springs are arranged front-to-back by pressing on the sofa seat.
When purchasing a leather sofa, check its base very carefully to see if the leather is dyed evenly everywhere. If you notice some white gauze under the sofa, it is made out of vinyl. A genuine leather sofa should be evenly dyed, even under the sofa and between the cushions.
A great tip for selecting furniture is to avoid purchasing things in pre-packaged sets. While you may think you are getting a great deal when buying a matching sofa, loveseat and chair, the overall effect in your final room will look rather bland and boring. Instead, try to buy individual pieces that look good when combined with your other items so as to create a unique decor that nobody else can replicate.
When shopping at a thrift store, look at the bare bones of the furniture, not the upholstery. You may be able to find a beautiful sofa for pennies on the dollar if you are willing to reupholster the piece or have it professionally reupholstered. The money saved on the piece will generally cover any upholstery job.
Check the cushions when you are buying a sofa. Good cushions are very important. Firm cushions will last longer. Try to look for fully covered cushions with covers that you can wash. You can flip these over every few months so that they wear out evenly and stay comfortable for longer.
