Thrifting Furniture Is About Quality Not Just Savings

A young couple comes into the store. It goes something like this, “Honey, did you see that (fill in any furniture piece) over there? It looks just like the one we saw at  (fill in high end furniture retailer).” I love when I overhear these conversations. It means that I converted another person or two. They’ve become someone who is  thrifting for quality, not just savings.

Thrifting Quality

Dovetail drawers. Eight-way hand tying. Dust jackets. These are just a few of the signs of quality in a piece of furniture. And these details are abundant at thrift and consignment shops like Consignments Ltd. People think thrift means saving money, and it does, but thrifting is about quality not just savings.

If you’ve yet to be converted, read on to learn the things to look for when you thrift.

• Good Construction Practices: Look for legs and drawer corners that are attached using quality joinery techniques rather than nailed or glued. This includes mortise and tenon joints. In upholstered furniture it means 8-way, hand-tying, which ensures seats will stay firm – no sagging.
• Use of Quality Hardwoods: Woods like oak, cherry, maple and walnut are hard and therefor stand up to time and use. Even when buying a painted piece, look for signs of good wood underneath. Hard woods help with durability and resistance to wear. It’s what makes furniture last.
• A Good Finish Is A Must: Excellent application of both stains and varnishes helps preserve furniture and protects it from wear and moisture.
• Use of Good Quality Textiles: Look at the the chair seat coverings and upholstery. Are patterns aligned well? Does upholstery sag or show pilling. These all point toward or away from quality materials.
• Are Dust Jackets Present: Dust jackets aren’t just for books. Dust jackets are pieces of wood inside a chest of drawers that separate one drawer from the next. They keep dirt and dust from falling into the drawers from drawers going in and out. When they are present a piece is usually of better quality.

So now you know how to spot quality the next time you thrift. Or maybe you knew already and you’re one of us. Congratulations and welcome to the club.

Still feel like reading more? Check out my previous blogs on the topic like: Moving Your Furniture Around Has Lots of Benefits and Weird Woods in Furniture.

Hope you have a lovely day, my friends. Marianne