In the age of Ikea it’s easy to scrimp on long-term structural integrity when picking wood furniture. That’s because it’s hard to pass up fashionable discount furnishings when they’re hundreds of dollars less than comparable sets seen in the latest catalogs. The exchange is of course price for longevity: if your discount department store wood furniture is used as much as it’s expected to be used by the typical family, then expect to return in less than five years to buy another piece.
If you’ve been through this sort of shuffle with a variety of different pieces over the years, from sofas to cabinets, then maybe you should consider making the investment in quality this time around. The reason is simple: how many times are you going to keep dishing out three-figure sums for pieces that barely make it through half a decade? For a one time four-figure investment you could be buying furniture that your great-grandchildren stand to inherit. The difference between painted particleboard and a work of genuine craftsmanship is not just the look it’s the endurance. So long as a handcrafted piece of wood furniture is maintained properly, it’ll likely last forever. Historically furniture has been an heirloom to be passed down. Why not keep that tradition going?
High quality furniture doesn’t have to be flashy. In fact serious furniture investment should be made only with pieces that demonstrate timelessness in their style. Amish desks, cabinets, tables, and chairs are great examples of proven quality wood furniture that exhibit a modest taste. A little spark never hurt anyone though, so don’t pretend like ornamental carvings and daring colors are off limits, as the both can be aesthetically pleasing in the modern age if the artisan carried with her modern sensibilities. Even the most wild of paints can be stripped off and the wood restored perfectly as long as the original workmanship was choice.
If you’re still not convinced, sit down and make an estimate of all the wood furniture replacements you’ve made over the years. You might be surprised when you find out how much money you’ve spent on cruddy tables and mediocre desks when for just more money at once, you could’ve saved hundreds ultimately with a better quality purchase. Investigate sources that promise quality craftsmanship and see if online reviews support such a guarantee. It might be the first step in a long line of family ownership of a prized piece of furniture.
Ikea and like products are great for younger people but the wasted resources and the wasted money over time makes them an unviable long furniture option. If you prefer modest wooden furnishings then skip the modest prices and put your money towards something that will last more than a lifetime. Quality wood furniture is certainly something you can put your money on.
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