Keeping the toys under control

A home isn't complete without a good amount of furnishing and Australians spend billions of dollars each year trying to fulfil this sentiment. However, it can be tricky knowing which pieces of furniture are suitable for your home and at what price and in what colour. Before you go out and start perusing the many home furniture shops you should be aware of how to spot furniture that is suitable for long-term use and what furniture might not have the legs to last more than a year or two. While getting cheap furniture is not a bad thing, you should still be informed about what is inside it so you can make an educated choice.

Wooden Frames

Wood is perhaps the most popular building material when it comes to furniture and it can be broken down into several distinct groups. The best-quality wooden furniture will be labelled "solid wood" or something similar, which simply means that everything inside (and perhaps outside if it is designed that way) is high-quality wood. "Veneer" and "Particle Board" are both terms used for furniture that does not have uniformly good wood in their designs, although veneer designs have a better chance of a stronger core.

Upholstery and Cushions 

The next most important building material is, of course, the fabric and cushions that adorn the wooden frame. Think about where this couch will be and who will use it. If it is meant for special occasions then a more opulent material like velvet or rayon could be appropriate. For rooms with less stringent dress codes, cheaper polymers and mixed fabrics are fine. Check the fabric and how well it is sewn into the design and be wary of lots of loose threads and broken stitches. For cushions, there is no easy way to test them other than to simply sit in them for as long as you can in the floor room of your chosen furniture store. 

Springs and Joining

After our two most important building materials comes the more hidden aspects of furniture, or, the ones that people think about the least. The springs in your furniture are very important to the longevity of the piece and they are a foundational building material. Zigzag coils are known to provide a more comfortable and smoother feel but, for traditionalists, you simply cannot go past coiled springs that give a firmer base. Test out how much response you get from your coils by pressing down on the couch with cushions on and with them taken off. The last part of your furniture inspection belongs to the joining of the piece and how it is all put together. Check the corners and feet to see how well put together everything is, look for signs of glue and badly hidden nails. You want a piece with the minimum amount of nails and glue. Instead, look for pieces that favour the natural joining of the wood into a strong frame to indicate high-quality building materials.