When you go to buy a piece of furniture, especially a large one, there are many issues to consider. Furniture is usually around for a long time so it is important to make wise choices and not rash ones. There are many aspects to think about when making such a purchase. This article is going to help you think and plan out all the steps in buying a dining table and chairs.
Who is going to use, how many, how often, when and are there any unusual needs such as holidays? This will help determine the style and construction. If you have a large family of small children to teens then your needs will obviously be different from a couple without children. So this step is important to match your family’s needs in order to avoid the mistakes of buying on impulse and ignoring who is really going to use it and for what. Will it really be a family office?
What about placement?
Another big mistake people make is to forget to measure the space and the furniture, as well as the access doors and hallways. Make sure that you can get it in and that it will fit in the space allotted. Also look at the shape of the space, window and door placement, fireplaces, built ins and other furniture pieces in the room. Another aspect to consider when buying furniture is called the scale. If the room is small then you would want to put smaller scaled furniture in there. Conversely, if you have a large open space you will need larger scaled pieces of furniture to fit the space. Otherwise the furniture will not look right in the room.
Are you changing the look of this room or are you keeping the same look, just updating it?
It is important to keep a cohesive look throughout your home in order to create a look of harmony and flow. Sometimes it is fun to mix styles creating a new eclectic look. Keep in mind the colors that are being used and decide if you want your furniture to be the focal point. If so, a bold color or design will help achieve this goal. If you want something to blend in then use a neutral color. Texture will also play an important role in any room design and help add warmth and interest. Often fabrics are used to bring in different textures; such as cushions for the chairs or curtains.
What is your budget?
This should be one of the first things you do, make a budget! In doing this you will eliminate stress and confusion. Setting high and low limits helps you to focus on your real choices. Don’t shop at a store that you know you can’t afford. Be creative in your resources. Try craigslist or local newspapers for used furniture. Often you can find a really nice piece for a great price. It does take time though and sometimes you won’t find what you are looking for. The internet is another resource to consider.
What about the construction?
It is important to know something about how furniture is made in order to know if something is made well. The type 
of wood that is used plays a big part in the quality of the furniture. Bamboo is one of your best choices for a sustainable wood that grows fast and is very durable. Hardwoods, which loose their leaves yearly, take a long time to grow and are expensive for this reason. They consist of Oak, Teak, Cherry, Maple, Birch, Mahogany, Walnut, and Chestnut which make fine choices for furniture since the wood is strong and will endure the test of time. Softwood, which keeps its leaves (needles) grows quiet fast and are usually less expensive. These would include Pine, Fir, Redwood, Cedar to name a few. Since they are soft the wood is prone to damage from use. Be sure to fine out if the wood was kiln dried, that makes the best lumber.
The way that the furniture is put together is another thing to examine. Are the joints glued and screwed, or just stapled? A dovetail joint shows fine joinery work as well as Mortise and tenon joints. These are especially good for a trestle table. Look for corner blocks that add strength and stability.
Terminology
Solid; Hardwood is used only on all exposed parts.
Bonded; Used to join pieces of wood together.
Veneer; Thin layer of fine decorative wood bonded to the outside of the furniture.
Composite Wood; are engineered materials made from two or more constituent materials
Top 10 Buying Mistakes!
1. Forgetting to measure the room and the furniture
2. Ignoring the scale of the room and the furniture
3. Not paying enough attention to Color
4. Buying fad furniture
5. Ignoring who will really use it
6. Buying on impulse
7. Asking too many opinions
8. Not asking for help
9. Paying too much
10. Not doing your homework!
