We recently had a CEU at Bunch and Shoemaker with Highland House explaining the differences between their high-end furniture and low-end furniture. Here are the 5 biggest differences between high-end furniture and low-end furniture.
Cushioning.
It’s not what you see on the outside but what is on the inside that makes all the difference. If you take a look at the inside of premium furniture you will see much thicker and higher quality padding using genuine materials that allow it to last longer. Most low-end furniture use pieces of cut foam that will compress and warp over time.
Screws Not Staples
Good quality furniture will have joints that are screwed, or dowelled. Indications of poor quality would be joints that are nailed, stapled, or will have visible glue.
Plywood isn’t always bad.
Even on premium furniture, high-end manufacturers use plywood to get the construction or shape of a particular piece perfect, what makes the difference is the quality of the wood. High-quality plywood has 8 layers to it and is very strong. Lower quality plywood is thin and brittle; if you are not careful this type of plywood can actually be punctured.
Spring Technology
In lower-end furniture pieces, you will usually find basic springs or none at all, instead opting to cheaper elastic bands that are stapled to the frame. Over time this type of construction will not last. In high-end furniture you will find quality spring technology designed to support the cushioning over time making sure the furniture does not lose its shape even after use.
Frame Construction
In high-end pieces frames are meticulously thought out regarding the application of the furniture in advance. Legs are designed to be removed and replaced if damaged and cushions can easily be reupholstered. In lower-end furniture usually, the legs are constructed directly into the frame so if you damage the leg you are out of luck. Lower end furniture often does not have layers in the cushions making it much harder to reupholster.
