Furniture is a major investment and, like any investment, you will want to make sure you get the most for your money. If you have been shopping recently you have probably discovered that there are many things to consider when it comes time to purchase new furniture. Fabric, color, style, size and shape are all things that readily come to mind. But it is what's behind the scene (or under the upholstery) that is often the most important factor.

Take, for example, a dining room table. There are several shapes from which to choose including round, oval, square or rectangular, and the choice of finishes ranges from glass to metal to stone to finished wood. But the actual structure of the furniture is very important. Ask yourself these questions; is it possible to expand the size of the table with pull out leaves? Do these pull out leaves alter the shape of the table i.e. a round table becomes an oval, a square table becomes a rectangle? And will that new shape still fit into your dining room? How easy is it to pull the leaves out and replace them? Remember to always measure the height of a table to insure that your chairs will fit comfortably underneath. A dining table is most often about 30" from the ground, allowing a seat height of up to 18" to easily fit. These are questions you will want answered before you make your decision as to which table to purchase.

If you are buying a dresser, buffet, nightstand or any furniture piece that has drawers similar structural questions apply. While the style and finish are important there are other things to consider. Do the drawers have a slide locking system that prevents them from opening all the way and falling out? This is especially important if you have young children or elderly parents living in the home. Can the dresser be mounted to the wall for safety purposes? Does the dresser have easy glide drawers that open and close smoothly? Antique or hand-me-down items will not always conform to safety standards so beware of placing used furniture in a child's area. Read more...