What you will buy will depend on your budget, but here's what you need to know...
Flat-pack furniture will save you money and you can often take it away from the store the same day in your own car. Once you’ve got it home, the fun starts, as you struggle with the instructions and lose the screws that fit it all together. And if a part is missing you’ll need another trip to the store. That said, giving up an evening to put it together can save a fortune. Ready-assembled feature is hard-wearing, but can be pricey. You’ll have to pay for delivery, and you may not get your furniture for several weeks. If you have a narrow hallway or staircase, it can be difficult to get large items into your home.
There’s something so satisfying about solid wood furniture. Each piece has its own character thanks to variations in colour and grain, knots and burrs. It doesn’t mind a few knocks and scratches and in you can even buy it with a distressed or aged finish. It can warp or twist, though, and the colour can change over the years, so try and buy furniture together or pieces may not match.
Furniture is often made from a combination of materials, such as solid wood and veneers, taking advantage of the properties of each. Although some veneered furniture can be expensive, often materials such as synthetic veneers, MDF and particle board are used to keep costs down.
Wood veneer is made from wafer thin slivers of real wood, bonded onto a board made from MDF, particle board, or a cheaper wood. It uses the minimum amount of expensive wood, so it’s a relatively ecologically-friendly option. Since slices are taken from the same log, you can match the pattern and grain across the furniture.
Veneered furniture is unlikely to warp, but it’s still affected by changes in temperature and humidity. It’s subject to colour change, too (see solid wood above).
Synthetic veneers are made from paper or pvc foils that are printed and often embossed to look and feel like wood. They’re bonded onto chipboard of MDF. The advantage is that they’re cheaper than wood, and they have a uniform appearance without defects or variation in grain or colour. But if you damage the surface, there’s no way back.
MDF, particleboard, chipboard and plywood are often used in construction as they are cheap and won’t warp, though be careful not to allow them to get wet. They’re often finished with a wood or foil veneer, though MDF can also be painted, stained or lacquered.
If you have a busy household, choose a finish that can withstand a few knocks and scratches. A lacquered finish gives long-lasting protection against damage. It’s often used for veneered furniture and is the easy-care option, just needing a light dusting with a soft cloth. However, if damaged, you can’t repair the finish yourself. Wax and oil finishes, although less resistant to marking, have the advantage that you can re-wax them from time to time, filling in minor scratches, plus they allow the tactile effect of the grain of the wood to show through.
Go to our shopping pages for more advice, info and shopping guides
Exclusive competitions and discount offers for 4Homes readers in our Advent Calendar
Your chance to contribute to Kirstie's Homemade Home, by suggesting a craft to appear in the show
All the inspiration you'll need if you love modern, sleek bedroom design
.jpg)
Your Comments
Post your comment
Please note: In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in to Channel 4:
Sign In Here or Register Here
Comments closed
Comments are closed at the present time
Comments
Thank you for your comment!
Your message will be reviewed and the best ones will be published below.
If you intended to make an official comment to Channel 4 please contact us.