Affordable Furniture
As the economy ebbs and flows and the face of retail continues to change, consumers are on a mission to find the best quality and the best prices for their dollar.
My goal has always been to provide my clients with the best quality and durability to withstand the mountain lifestyle.
With the development of the offshore industries over the past 15 years, the entire economic climate has changed. The United States furniture industry has moved from the east coast, namely North Carolina and it is now primarily located in Asia.
Like so many of our national industries, there is no longer a market for goods made in the USA, as the bottom line, world economics and other issues have changed the face of this industry. So, its a Brave New World with the furniture industry and competing with the online resources
for independent retailers is another challenge.
We never really worried too much before about quality with the furniture that we were purchasing within the USA. Of course with the dryness of the area in the Eastern Sierra, there is always an opportunity cracking and splitting of wood products, as well as compromising the integrity of framework of certain upholstered furniture.
The main thing to look for when purchasing furniture to use in this area is that the wood is dried before manufacturing, kiln dried preferably and/or that you know where the origin is, so that you can be educated as to the possible complications that can occur with products from overseas. Even with reputable vendors that we are accustomed to buying from, its always best to check the way a piece of furniture is made to know what the longevity will be.
For long term use or heavy use from rentals properties, its best to know the tips that will save aggravation and disappointment from a poor quality piece of furniture that is purchased online or at a “bargain priced” store.
Always look for “dovetail joints” on “case-goods” dressers, night stands or anything with drawers. The glides are important too, as to how the drawer will move and hold up with weight and use.
There are wooden, metal and extension glides. Depending on the price and the use, you will want to check on the sides of the drawers to see the application and how they are attached.
The way table legs are braced is another key factor to look at when purchasing a new dining table or end tables. Bolts, blocks and glue are all part of the corner construction of the underside of a table and need to be inspected to know the durability of the piece.
When looking for upholstery, the frame is very important to understand as well as the fabric and the fill. The frame needs to be sturdy, hardwood, glued and doweled for the best quality. Of course as we all know, you get what you pay for, so if price is the bottom line and you just want something for a short period of time (I call it “throw away” furniture), then get something that is low priced and just enjoy the look of it.
The “fill” is very important and a low grade foam will not keep its shape and will crush down in a short time. The best cushion fill would be one that has a foam or a spring core and then wrapped with dacron or a down “pillow”.
There are many new and modern fabrics that have good durability for sofas and or chairs. Look for fabric that is “forgiving” in color and especially in texture. A course texture with a variation in color, like a pattern or a tweed type look with give the most wearability for the longest time. Cleaniblility is also a big factor, so check for how to treat spills or stains of different types as well. Of course the place that you purchase furniture from should be able to describe the construction of a piece of furniture and the attributes of of different ways of manufacturing. If you are purchasing from a catalog, be aware of these details and know that the price DOES reflect the quality and the longevity of the product.
We carry a variety of price points in both of our stores, Sierra Design Studio and Sierra Home, but the main difference in purchasing locally is that you support your community and that we are here for any follow up on service, something that is a little more difficult to get from a catalog or online. Remember that customer service and community support has VALUE! Thanks for 22 years of your support at Sierra Design Studio and 2 years at Sierra Home (The Sierra’s most affordable furniture)!
