Avoid being part of the throw-away mentality when it comes to home furnishings. Learn how to make good choices based on long term value. Here are some helpful guidelines.
Bed linens and towels
In this category, density matters. When shopping for bed linens, look for the highest thread count you can find. Dense fibers make a world of difference in softness, comfort and durability. Decide whether you like the satin feel or crisp cotton or linen feel. Look for thread counts over 400. You’ll definitely notice the difference.
When selecting towels, feel them for softness not just color saturation. Some good quality towels have a tight, more velvet feel while others are soft due to the high density and quality of the cotton. The department stores have a tremendous range of colors and quality. If you’re thinking of replacing or stocking up due to a recent move, look for a white sale as it will be worth the wait in savings if you go for the good stuff.
The same rule applies to kitchen towels and dining room linens, the better the fabric, the more durable and good looking the item will be. If you use tea towels and dish towels on a regular basis, and you spend a good deal of time cooking, investing in good quality kitchen linens is a nice luxury. When they finally do give out with stains and wear, turn them into the nicest rags you’ve ever had.
Hardwood furniture
When purchasing occasional and cocktail tables and casegood pieces, consider beforehand where in the house these items will be placed. For children’s and teen’s rooms, bookcases, desks and night tables, local retail stores such as Room & Board and Crate & Barrel may be the way to go. For pieces in the main living spaces of the house, look for bookcases with solid wood backs, tables with solid, reinforced joinery and wood veneers and finishes that will hold up to years of use. An investment of this sort will allow a refinishing or two, when necessary, and be with you for years to come.
Upholstery
In this category there are two issues to keep in mind. First, the frame of any furniture piece should be a hardwood frame, kiln-dried, and eight-way hand tied, not just glued and screwed. I have seen first-hand what happens when springs are stapled into the frame without screws. It’s not pretty, but it is fixable.
The second critical element of an upholstery piece is, of course, the fabric. When you order any piece of upholstered furniture, you also select a fabric for it. Making sure that the fabric is all that you want — durable, soft, color-specific, soil-resistant, made from natural fibers — is part of your job. Do not be surprised if good quality fabric is expensive because it is. You can expect to pay $75, on the low end, to $200 per yard for fabric that will wear well for decades. This is not the place to cheap out.
After you’ve selected a fabric that you love, and one that meets your specific requirements, have it treated to protect it from water, oil, sun and soil. One such service is Fabric Life Services, at (800) 266-7023. It’s good insurance to protect your investment.
Outdoor furniture
It certainly is the season to see what’s available in every shape and size and this is where, too, if you’re not careful, you can fall into the throw-away mentality. If you are looking for aluminum frame outdoor furniture, buy the best you can afford. It will last for a very long time. The catalogs that arrive on your doorstep multiple times a week make outdoor furniture look fun, festive and even romantic. Obviously, people can’t buy up every year or two, so choose wisely. Though the furniture may look whimsical, the prices surely are not. Avoid chairs that spin, tip and bounce. Select a simple and straight-forward style; these designs are more likely to hold up over time.
The teak furniture market is different. Designs don’t vary as much, but look closely at how the pieces are constructed. Be aware that teak furniture requires maintenance. Without care in our climate in particular, it will not stay the dark, rich color for long.
Outdoor cushions and pillows with manifold fabric choices are available everywhere after a long time in coming to the retail market. This is a place to change things from time to time. These fabrics are long-wearing, and while not inexpensive, still changing them after a number of years will liven up your outdoor space for a reasonable amount. It is easy to select fabric and recover existing cushions and pillows or donate yours and start over.
Heirloom or other
Not every piece needs to be of heirloom quality. Which will be and which will not, is for you to decide based on your lifestyle and what spaces you enjoy using most in your home. If you enjoy having dinner parties, investing in good quality dining chairs that are comfortable, well-constructed and well-built would make sense. Ask yourself these questions and it’s likely the answers will be a good guide to how and where to put your money.
Beth Wiley Boyd is president of Wiley Designs, LLC in Highland Park. She can be reached at wileydesigns@comcast.net.
