A Quick Guide to Buying High-End Furniture

by Kevin Smith Author

It's no secret that high-end furniture in San Francisco, CA, is both beautiful and desirable. While showrooms can sometimes be a little bit intimidating, it's relatively easy to find great options if you know the questions to ask.

Customization

Can the piece be customized? One of the telltale characteristics of high-end furniture is that it can often be customized. This means the furniture as you see it isn't the only configuration. There may be a multitude of different ways it can customized or only one or two choices to be made. Don't let this overwhelm you. The seller may have a variety for you to look at, so you can get a better idea as to how the furniture really looks and functions.

Wood

It should go without saying that all woods aren't the same. One of the most common mistakes that people make is assuming hardwoods are always hard and softwoods are always soft. Hardwoods simply come from deciduous trees, whereas softwoods come from coniferous trees. Some hardwoods are actually softer and less durable than certain softwoods. A "fingernail test" is the easiest way to eyeball whether or not the wood will hold up over time. Run your fingernail along the wood. If it leaves an indention, the wood is a bit soft, and it won't be durable.

Veneers

A veneer is simply a piece of high-quality wood covering a piece of lower-quality wood. This obviously cuts down on construction costs, which is why manufacturers love veneers. Veneers are used in both cheap and high-quality furniture. The most important thing to consider is whether or not the underlying wood is solid. As long as it is, the main drawback of a veneer is that it limits how many times you can have the furniture refinished.

Construction

Look for dowels and screws. Nails, staples, and glue are all signs of poorly-constructed furniture. Ideally, the joints should be either mortise-and-tenon or dovetail. Every corner needs to have a reinforcing block attached at an angle. Handmade pieces are ideal if you want something that'll be an heirloom piece. High-quality handmade furniture can endure and remain beautiful for generations. If you want furniture that will be passed on to your grandchildren, you should probably go with handmade pieces.

On the other hand, mass-produced furniture can still produce high-end pieces that are of incredible quality. Mass-produced doesn't always mean cheap or poorly constructed. You may also want to consider whether the materials are sustainable or reclaimed if you're wanting eco-friendly furniture. Nontoxic and healthy materials are also worth noting if you're concerned about the ecological impact.

As you can see, there are a lot of variables to consider when it comes to high-end furniture in San Francisco, CA.