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Click on the tips below to find out useful information that will enhance
your buying experience at Simpson Furniture!
Furniture Woods
Construction Techniques
Buying a Mattress
How to Shop for Upholstered Furniture
Questions for the Showroom
Tips on Spot Removal
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HOW TO SHOP FOR UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE
With the right questions – and answers – you can
choose a new sofa or chair with confidence.
What should you look for?
Start by insisting on a kiln-dried, solid hardwood frame. You might never
see the wood frame of your sofa or chair, but you should know what it
is made of. Kiln-dried hardwoods like oak, alder, birch and maple are
preferred because they hold pegs, screws and nails securely in place for
a long time.
Buying good upholstered furniture – and keeping it – helps the
environment too. Landfills are overflowing with inexpensive sofas that
are left on the curb after just a few years of use.
Frame Construction
Does the underside of the sofa appear to be made well? Look for joints
that are reinforced with blocks or dowels (small wooden pegs). The best
furniture has blocks that have been glued or screwed for added strength.
Avoid pieces that have been stapled.
If you're buying an upholstered piece with exposed wood legs or arms,
note your color and species options, as well as the quality of the stain
and finish.
Springs
The number of springs and how they are tied and reinforced determines
cost and quality. In better furniture, many coils are used in close formation.
Furniture manufacturers offer a variety of spring support systems. Many
companies offer either sinuous S-shaped springs or drop-in coil springs
as their standard. Both of these types affix to the frame to support the
seat deck. They make the seat firm because they move in only one direction
– up and down.
Eight-way, hand-tied springs have been considered a mark of top quality
for decades. They are hand-tied front to back, side to side and diagonally
(eight ways) to provide the most comfort and durability. This process
costs the most because it is the most time-consuming.
Cushioning
Cushions are made of cotton, polyester, polyurethane foam or down. Cushioning
should be evenly distributed and should conceal the feel of the springs
and frame.
Fabric
Express your taste in colors, patterns and textures. The choices are unlimited.
Fabrics fall into two general categories: natural and synthetic. Natural
choices include cotton, linen, silk and wool. Synthetics include acetate,
acrylic, rayon, nylon and polypropylene.
Fabrics that blend natural and synthetic fibers often combine beauty and
durability. Fabrics with tight weaves and durable fibers like polypropylene
or nylon typically stand up to the most active use. More formal fabrics
like satins, brocades or damasks are best reserved for seating where practicality
is less of a concern.
Test Drive
To test for strength, try pulling the fabric sample in several directions.
The yarns should not separate. Run a fingernail over the fabric to see
if it pulls or marks easily.
Never buy a sofa without trying it out. Sit on it and bounce lightly.
Does it creak? Loud creaks or thumps may mean the springs are hitting
the frame. Try lifting a sofa or chair, does it feel solid and heavy?
The heaviest pieces usually are made the best. Check out the bottom of
the sofa. The best have legs that are part of the frame, rather than simply
glued on.
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