Most of the inexpensive furniture you can buy at the big name stores is made from low-quality material…particle board with cheap laminate covering. It’s not made well. It’s not made to last. It’s made to be cheap.

Sometimes you just need something quick and cheap. If you move around a lot or aren’t really “settled” yet in terms of where you live, don’t own a home, etc., you may just need quick and cheap to get by.

But most of us should spend the money to get quality wood furniture.

This really reflects a larger trend in America. After generations of cheap consumer goods, many are realizing the value of investing in quality…the value of buying quality items that can last a lifetime rather than cheap imported goods. Americans are preferring to buy a few quality items that last, rather than replacing cheaply made items every few years.

Why should you buy quality wood furniture?

It’s usually American made.

It’s not that all imported furniture is cheap junk, but most of the time it’s manufactured overseas in order to keep it cheap. And most mass-produced furniture utilizes the cheapest materials possible.

It’s built to last.

If you buy quality wood furniture, you won’t likely need to replace it in your lifetime. In fact, it’s these quality items that become family heirlooms.

You can customize what you want.

Whether you work with a local woodworker or a local independent store, there is a good chance you’ll be able to order exactly what you want…the style, the wood, the color. If it’s a woodworker, you can even design your own and work with them to make it a reality.

Where should you spend your money?

Dining room tables and chairs.

In terms of visibility in your home and frequent use, dining tables and chairs are a great place to invest in quality. Virtually every guest in your home will see your table and you will use it on a regular basis.

Headboards, beds, and bedroom sets.

Who doesn’t want their master bedroom to be a beautiful retreat? Invest in a quality bed and bedroom set that will last you for years.

Side tables and end tables.

Every living room or family room will need at least one of these. Fortunately, being rather small, buying a quality side or end table won’t cost all that much. And if you are so inclined, these are great items to start with if you want to try to build your own.

Cabinets.

Fortunately, most of the middle and higher end cabinets available even through the big box stores are reasonably high quality. Don’t settle for lower quality. Save up the extra money and buy what you really want.

Where can you find quality wood furniture?

Big box home improvement stores sell very little quality furniture. Cabinets possibly, but not much else. Discount retailers sell mostly cheap junk. I have seen many solid wood items at Marshall’s/Homegoods, and while they aren’t particle board, they are often still made cheaply.

Large furniture stores and chains often carry a mixed bag of quality. In order to reach a broad consumer base, they sell both cheap, low-quality items and nicer, high-quality items. It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference. The price is your best clue as to quality. Whether we like it or not, quality does cost more.

I recommend sticking with one of the following:

Amish furniture shops.

There is a good chance that someone within a reasonable drive from your home sells Amish built furniture. There are also some that sell online. I have yet to see an Amish built product that isn’t quality. In most cases, you can order the style you want in the wood you want with the finish you want if they don’t have it in stock.

Smaller, non-chain furniture stores.

These are usually independent stores that choose which specific brands they will carry. Most of these carry mid and upper price range items since they can’t “out cheap” the discount and chain stores.

Your local woodworker.

Chances are that there is a skilled woodworker in your area, or perhaps even in your circle of friends or family. Ask around. See if anyone knows of one in your area. Talk to them and find out if they can help you out. Just be sure to see some of their work before you commit.

DIY – Do it yourself.

Woodworking brings with it a great sense of accomplishment. It’s wonderful to sit back after a project is finished and think, “I built that!” I often call woodworking my therapy as it allows me to focus my creative energy into something valuable. Watch some videos and invest in some tools. That’s how I got started.