Worried about your furniture's eco credentials? What will help it last?
The furniture should sit firmly on its feet or plinth, and not rock or wobble if you apply light pressure. Check that the doors hang evenly, and that the colour matches on the front, sides and drawer fronts. Look inside, or behind to check that the back panels are not made of thin hardboard, which can warp over time. And check the construction, which you can see most easily inside a drawer. A dovetailed joint is the traditional method and very sturdy, and dowelled joints are also used. Cheaper furniture may be screwed together or simply stapled. Press on the drawer base to see how sturdy it is, and pull it open and closed to check that it runs smoothly. Metal or wood drawer runners are longer lasting than plastic ones, which can eventually snap.
Look out for the Forest Stewardship Council’s ‘FSC’ mark on furniture, meaning that the forest the wood came from meets sustainability requirements. The Real Wood Furniture Company sources its ash, oak, cherry and elm, all indigenous to the UK, from sustained and managed sources, while specialist company Lombok uses teak reclaimed from disused Indonesian houses. Or buy second-hand furniture, saving some great retro designs from a sad ending on a skip.
Check whether your furniture will be supplied fully assembled and if so, make sure that it will fit through any narrow corridors or awkward doorways. Ask about guarantees, delivery times and charges. If you intend to buy more pieces as a later date, check whether the range is likely to be discontinued soon.
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