How to Identify High-Quality Furniture That’s Worth the Investment

How to Identify High-Quality Furniture That’s Worth the Investment

Have you ever made a purchase and later realized that the quality wasn’t what you expected? The quest for furniture that lasts isn’t always as simple as it seems – and it only takes one uncomfortable experience with budget furniture to realize investing in high-quality pieces is worth it.

Today, I want to share our client Joseph’s story, including search for lasting, quality furniture. Through Joseph’s story, we’ll cover:

  • The real risk of buying budget furniture
  • The 4 features of high-quality furniture to look for
  • How we select the best furniture for your lifestyle

Come take a look…

Why Budget Furniture Isn’t as Good as it Seems

Joseph bustled into the Shoppe on Friday. He was visibly excited to find me and joked that he had been looking for me for a long time. He had seen my Facebook post about furniture we source directly from manufacturers, and he immediately jumped into his car to see the Shoppe for himself.

Eager to assist, I asked him why he felt he needed to find new furniture so urgently. He then shared a woeful story of some recent purchases that didn’t meet his expectations.

Joseph had bought a couch at Ashley Furniture. Although he purchased it only within the last year, it was already so worn out that it sagged almost to the floor when he sat down. And that’s not all. He had also bought a chair from another local “discount” furniture store that was so uncomfortable that it caused an instant backache.

Joseph’s problem was simple… His old furniture was not constructed to last.

Fortunately, he had come to the right place — our Shoppe contains only the highest quality pieces built to withstand the test of time. Joseph appreciated being able to touch, feel, and experience the quality of our products. After our conversation, he was a convert to high-quality furniture!

Here’s why budget furniture isn’t a smart long-term investment

  • Budget furniture isn’t designed for comfort.
  • It wears out fast, so you’ll be replacing your pieces more often.
  • The quality (or lack thereof) is visible…and cheap furniture looks cheap.

If getting the best value for your investment is a top priority, it’s time to consider investing in quality furnishings for your home. Let’s take a look at a few of the features that earn the name “high-quality.”

Features of High-Quality Sofas & Chairs

The lifetime and longevity of a sofa or chair directly correlate with its construction. The most important attributes are:

The Frame: The best option available for a quality, long-lasting frame for your sofa is kiln-dried solid wood with proper joinery that is glued, dowelled, and screwed. We never recommend furniture constructed with plywood or with a stapled frame. Believe it or not, it’s very simple to tell if a piece is well built — if you lift the arm of the sofa up, it should be heavy.

The Suspension: Joseph’s sofa and chair sagged because they lacked a strong suspension. Within the frame is the suspension, which determines the sofa’s comfort level. Like the frame, you can’t see it but it’s extremely important. We recommend an eight-way hand-tied suspension with coiled springs, sinuous springs, or webbing. Or a combination.

The Cushions: Joseph’s back hurt after sitting in his chair because the cushions weren’t firm enough to give him the proper support. The highest quality cushions will have three layers: steel coils, foam, and a dacron cover. For comfort and longevity, high-quality cushions are a must.

The Fabric: I only recommend high-performance fabric to my clients, and it’s the only material for upholstered furniture that we offer in the Shoppe. You may be familiar with this type of fabric, as it’s known for being kid- and pet-friendly, but let’s be honest — we adults can be just as messy. High-performance fabrics are specially treated and woven to be naturally stain-resistant, making them a breeze to clean.

Personalization: Furnishings don’t have to be customized to be high quality, but it certainly doesn’t hurt — the more you love it, the longer it’s likely to stick around your home! Are you tall? Let’s look for a deeper seat. Do you prefer to sink into your sofa? It’s best to go with a down or trillium layer within your cushion.

Keep reading to see how we integrate all of the above into finding and personalizing the best furniture for you and your home.

Our Process for Selecting the Best Furniture for You

Believe it or not, personalizing furniture isn’t impossible or cost-prohibitive. That’s right! With our meticulous process for creating the perfect pieces for our clients and extensive options in our Designer Collections, we can help you avoid frustration and costly mistakes while providing exactly what you need.

Step 1: Determine Your Style
We want your new pieces to fit cohesively into your overall design, so we determine which style of furniture will go with your aesthetic, whether that means a sofa with a traditional rolled arm or a contemporary tack arm.

Step 2: Take Measurements

You wouldn’t believe the number of calls we receive that begin with “I just got a new sofa, and it doesn’t fit.” Shoppers will typically see a sofa in enormous, spacious showrooms, and naturally, it looks small. However, when that sofa comes home, it takes up the entire room. We make sure to take measurements and select the right size.

Step 3: Personalize Cushions

Once the piece’s size is determined, we can then decide on the cushion configuration, whether there will be one, two, or three seats, and the level of firmness for the cushions. I look for clues when my clients describe their ideal sofa. Do they need more or less space? How many people live in the home? Do they entertain often? Etc.

Step 4: Final Details & Installation

In this step, we’ll decide on all the minute details, including welting, skirt, feet style, color, and any additional elements like tacks or nailheads. This way, your furniture will have a secure place in the overall design of your home. Then, we’re ready to place the order for you, oversee delivery, and install it in your home!

Now, it’s your turn…

With our help, Joseph got exactly what he hoped for and more: comfortable and well-constructed furniture that he absolutely loved. His only regret? Not finding us sooner. 😉

Are you ready for a beautifully curated space with quality furniture personalized just for you? Reach out to us here to discuss your goals or visit us in the Shoppe.

Until next time,

Comments (4)
  • Mankirat singh
    | 23 June 2023

    “Furniture investment allows you to combine functional aesthetics with the potential for long-term value appreciation. Whether you’re passionate about mid-century modern pieces, antique furniture, or contemporary designs, investing in quality furniture can be a rewarding endeavor. Before making a purchase, it’s essential to conduct thorough research, considering factors such as craftsmanship, materials, and the reputation of the designer or brand. Additionally, keeping an eye on current interior design trends and understanding the market demand for certain styles can inform your investment decisions. Remember, furniture investment not only enhances your living spaces but also offers the opportunity to create a legacy of timeless beauty and potential financial returns. So, carefully curate your collection, mix classic and contemporary pieces, and let your furniture investments become statements of style and value.”

    • Kathleen Jennison
      | 10 August 2023

      Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about furniture investment, Mankirat! We have a great appreciation for your wisdom and insight.

      At KTJ Design Co, we understand how investing in quality furniture can enhance living spaces and provide long-term value appreciation. Your point about carefully curating a collection of classic and contemporary pieces is one that has been key to our success – we strive for timeless beauty in our pieces while paying close attention to current style trends. We always encourage our customers to conduct thorough research before making a purchase so they know exactly what they are investing in.

      Thanks again for the kind words and valuable advice, Mankirat!

  • Astyork
    | 28 December 2023

    A big thank you to ktjdesignco for the invaluable tips on identifying high-quality furniture worth the investment! Your blog is a guiding light for those navigating the world of furniture choices, making the journey towards quality and durability a breeze. Truly appreciate the expert insights! 🌟🛋️

    • Kathleen Jennison
      | 23 January 2024

      Thank you so much for your kind words, Astyork! We are thrilled to hear that our blog has been helpful in your furniture buying journey. Our aim is to provide useful and knowledgeable insights for our readers and we are happy to know that it has made a difference for you. Thank you for choosing ktjdesignco and we hope to continue helping you with all your furniture needs. Thanks again for the feedback, we truly appreciate it!

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