Buying Furniture that Lasts
by Nikki Willhite - Willhite@aol.com
Description: Tips for buying furniture that lasts.
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When you buy a new sofa or chair, how long do you expect it to
last?
Will you keep it until it is "hopelessly outdated", or will you
have to
replace it before then? (Bearing in mind that "hopelessly
outdated"
may come sometime after your death!)
There are several factors to consider when buying
furniture. In
this article, I am going to talk about the fabrics that cover our
furniture.
One of the classes I was required to take when I was pursuing
my degree
in Interior Design was a class in textiles. We did a lot of
experimentation
with fabrics in that class. We studied the different types
of fibers
that make up fabric, and did chemical tests on them to measure
things like
their durability. We learned that a fabric is only as strong as
the weakest
fiber in it.
When you buy upholstered furniture, take a good look at the
fabric.
The longest lasting fabrics will be one strong fiber, closely
woven.
Also, an additional advantage of a tight weave is that the fiber
will be
more fire resistant.
Many upholstered items come with colorful threads, woven
together often
in plaid or abstract designs. Use your fingernail and pick
around
them and see if some are loosely woven or break easily. If they
do, chances
are that the fabric will be unraveling or torn within a short
amount of
time.
Perhaps you remember going to your grandmother's home, and
sitting on
a sofa that felt like the short side of Velcro. It
wasn't attractive,
but it was impossible to hurt it! It lasted forever.
Fashion and style have prevailed over durability in today's
market.
If you want durability you are going to have to select carefully.
Yesterday's
sofas were made to last a lifetime. Now you are lucky if you can
get 15
years out of them.
Most of us cannot afford expensive sofas. We don't know
a lot
about the "inner works". However, we can take control when it
comes to
the upholstery. You may have to look a little harder, but
it won't
necessarily cost any more money.
Reprinted with permission from:
The Pennypincher
An E-zine for the Frugally Minded
The Conservative Homemaker & Home of The Pennypincher
E-zine
http://www.AllThingsFrugal.com
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