When holiday shopping ends, furniture stores will be offering some nice bargains in January. To find the good deals, however, it takes patience and knowledge.
It's easy to find good inexpensive furniture, but for quality that can last a lifetime, you have to take a closer look. If you want "better" or "best," the big difference is in the construction of the frame and materials used.
There are two basic types of furniture, upholstered and case. Case refers to furniture that has no upholstery, such as tables, chests and cabinets.
When looking at upholstered furniture, ask the salesperson if the piece has eight-way hand tied construction. It's the hallmark of comfort for sofas and big chairs. Hand tied indicates quality construction in the frame, springs and back support.
Ask whether a case piece is made of hard wood or soft. Soft wood is not as strong and tends to dent more easily.
Hardwood is used to describe woods such as mahogany, walnut, maple, oak, cherry, birch, teak and pecan.
Soft wood is used to describe woods such as pine, redwood and cedar. It's less expensive and often used in ready-to-finish furniture.
Check to see if table and chair legs have bolt and screw construction rather than nails.
Some basic steps to take before you hit the stores:
* Decide just what you need and how long you will need it. You may want your bedroom furniture to last a lifetime, but furniture for a teenager's room may only need to last five to 10 years.
* Know how, and how often, a certain piece will be used. If it's a recliner that's used every day, it has to have better construction than a side chair that is seldom used.
* Consider how much space you have. Measure the spot where you will put the sofa, chair or dresser so you don't buy one that is too big or too small.
* Decide how much you will spend. Spend more on a table you will use for many years and less for a baby crib you'll only use for a year or two.
Remember to keep your needs, space and budget in mind in order to save time when you are shopping.
Another consideration: If you decide to sell your home in the future, attractive furniture could make a prospective buyer want to live there.
