What to Look for in Buying Upholstered Furniture
With upholstered furniture it can be hard to see what is underneath the fabric. And that is too bad because the hidden items make your upholstered furniture comfortable. It takes many steps and a lot of time to make a quality piece of upholstered furniture.
About fabrics. Fabrics add the pizzazz. They look great and feel wonderful, and truly make upholstered pieces come alive. Take your time with fabric selection and enjoy that process.
Basically, there are two types of fabrics, naturals and synthetics. Nature's own are cotton, linen, silk and wool. Among synthetics are acetate, acrylic, nylon, rayon and polypropylene. Often fabrics are a blend of natural and synthetics fibers combined to provide the best qualities of each, unmatched beauty and lasting durability.
Generally, fabrics with tighter weaves and durable fibers such as polypropylene or nylon stand up better to the hard use of an active household. More glamorous fabrics such as satins, damasks and brocades are dramatic and exciting but should be reserved for seating where serviceability isn't a primary concern.
Nature has given us leather, one of today's most popular upholstery materials. It now comes in a rainbow of colors and a range of styles from timeless traditional to avant garde contemporary. New methods of tanning and manufacturing also have brought leather into an affordable range for many
Here is a checklist of quality features to look for in upholstered furniture:
- Hot glue is good. Avoid couches with exposed staples and legs that are screwed on. Screwed-on legs become weaker over time and are more likely to break. Pull out cushions to examine the craftsmanship of a piece. Fabric and wood legs should be secured with hot glue.
- Never buy a couch without sitting on it and bouncing. When you stand up, the sofa should rise with you and not stay depressed. Test the seat for comfort, then bounce around a bit to listen for telltale squeaks or the sound of springs rubbing against the frame.
- Look over the piece carefully and check to see if backs are free of bumps and hard spots, seams and welts should be straight, patterns and stripes should match at seams, patterns should be centered, cushions should fit snugly and buttons should be sewn on securely.
- Do mechanisms on recliners and sleep sofas work smoothly? Do all moving parts clear fabric to prevent tearing? Are metal parts smooth with no sharp edges? Is dual purpose seating well balanced in each position?
- Pick up one end of the piece and shake it. Good upholstered furniture is solid and heavy.
- If you're looking for a top-quality chair or sofa that will last, ask the salesperson if the frame is made from kiln-dried hardwood such as oak, alder, birch or maple. The frame should be kiln-dried wood which gives the sofa strength, durability and allows for some "give”. Look for solid lumber stock. "All-wood" is not the same thing; particle board is "all-wood," too.
- Make sure the frame follows the contours of the piece; curves should not just be filled out with padding.
- The best furniture has legs that are a continuation of the frame, not a screw-on addition. However, the latter may be handy if you're trying to get the piece through narrow doors or elevators.
- If the seat cushion is removable, pick it up and check the weight. Most cushions today have a polyurethane foam core; the denser the foam, the heavier it is and the longer it will last.
Once you have made a choice you should ask the retailer for a written warranty, not just one from the manufacturer. Much of the furniture sold in the U.S. today is from Asia, so it is often difficult to go after the manufacturer if something happens to your piece. Expert furniture buyers also recommend asking if the couch will still be available in six months or if it is discontinued. Surprisingly, most of the furniture on the showroom floor has already been discontinued, making it difficult to get replacement parts should the piece break.