Posted on: Tuesday, December 14, 2004
What to look for when purchasing furniture
Arizona Republic
The following is a list of individual pieces of furniture and what to look for when considering a purchase.
Dressers and chests
- Operate all of the doors and drawers on storage pieces, such as dressers and chests. Do they open and close easily?
- Look at the drawer fronts. The wood joints of high-quality pieces are dovetailed — one side interlocking with another side.
- Check to see if hardware is attached securely and is aligned properly on drawers.
- Make sure drawer interiors are smooth and don't splinter.
- Support blocks on drawer bottoms and dust panels between drawers are further evidence of good quality.
- Make certain that pieces don't wobble or creak.
Armoires and entertainment centers
- Before investing in an armoire or other oversize piece of furniture, measure doorways to double-check that such pieces can fit. Write down the measurements and take them with you when you shop.
- If you plan on buying a television, use its measurements when shopping for an entertainment center.
Tables and chairs
- Turn chairs upside down and examine the joints. Are they snug and free of excess glue?
- When evaluating tables, see whether corners are reinforced and legs are attached securely; get on your hands and knees if you have to.
- If you are considering a table with leaves, operate the opening and closing mechanisms to make sure they work properly.
Home office furniture
- Measure all of the components of your desktop system before you start shopping.
- Measure the length of the walls or available space where you plan to position home office furniture. Take the measurements with you while you shop.
Note: Some desks are proportioned for flat screens or laptops; others accommodate deep monitors.
Source: American Furniture Manufacturers Association
