Remember the days when furniture was passed down from generation to generation? What was once grandma’s china cabinet is now sitting in your parents’ dining room, accented by a great aunt’s side table and a coffee table from a garage sale. This furniture is sturdy, constructed of fine materials by talented craftsman and makes a true statement in the home — summed up in one word, it’s quality.
My how times have changed.
With Big-box stores taking a stronghold in plenty of areas — furniture included — plus the totally different lifestyles of Americans today, the idea of “quality” furniture may seem long gone. But is it?
In 2019, the easy-to-buy, easy-to-break furniture is mainstream. "Fast-furniture", as it’s called, refers to the cheaply priced, cheaply made, mass-produced stuff. It’s usually constructed of particle board covered in a laminate or veneer and it’s only designed to last a few years, meaning you have no choice but to purchase again sooner rather than later. And even if that sofa or table does last longer than that, it’s probably a good thing you can toss it because although it was trendy then, its day has passed.
Fast-furniture can indeed be enticing — especially to Millennials who are cash-strapped and transient — but the industry as a whole is problematic. It creates a lot of waste when things don’t last, plus it uses lots of chemicals during the production process — both the opposite of eco-friendly. Fast furniture is also killing the art of furniture-making, which is truly a treasure.
But because it takes such skill to construct, quality furniture is not cheap. If you’re accustomed to shopping at big-box stores for furniture, the price tag on well-made upholstery, casegoods, lighting and more can come as a shock. What truly is the difference between this $200 table and that $1,200 one?
Quite a bit, probably.
While price isn’t always indicative of quality, odds are, the more expensive a piece is, the nicer it is. Real wood construction, fine upholstery, master craftsmanship and unique details cost money, but they also ensure that what you purchase will last — through moves, style evolutions, and life in general. So while grabbing up that $200 table now may seem like a great deal, you’ll most likely have to purchase several throughout the years, potentially adding up to the cost of one quality table that will last decades.
Before your next trip to that big-box store, do your due diligence and decide if the piece you’re in the market for is worth the investment. The old adage really is true — you get what you pay for; let Fifth & Modern let you find that perfect piece of quality furniture today.