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If you're in the market for great furniture, wood is a good way to go. It can provide a warm feel and high quality that last a lifetime with simple care. That's why so many pieces of wooden furniture are handed down in families and found as antiques.

When you find wooden furniture, you may very well be able to trust your instincts as to its quality. Good wooden furniture often looks different. It feels different. It's solid, well-balanced and it's usually heavier too. But what about what you can't see? Those finer details that you don't know much about? They can make the difference in whether you will spot the highest quality wooden furniture.

HOW IS THE FURNITURE CONSTRUCTED?
Look at the corners and joints of the piece itself. Look at any drawers or doors, too. High quality wooden furniture can be put together in a number of ways, but all are more involved than a simple staple or cheap nail. The result? Joints should look seamless and tight.

This is because they use special woodworking techniques like mortise and tenon, dovetailing, doweling, mitering or tongue and groove. If you see any of these, then you've spotted quality wooden furniture. These joints are especially strong because they are joined, not only by special woodworking, but by glue and sometimes screws as well.

Another unique feature of quality wooden furniture is floating construction. You will usually spot this feature in drawers. To allow for changes in the wood due to humidity, drawer bottoms are inserted but not glued in place. This is just one more reason that good wooden furniture can last a lifetime.

WHAT IS THE FURNITURE MADE OF?
In the best wooden furniture, you'll find frames made of sturdy wood like poplar and doors or exterior surfaces of cherry, oak or maple. High quality wood can be easy to spot because it usually looks nice if well-kept. But don't be necessarily be deterred by less attractive pieces. You may be seeing veneers on some older pieces, not poor quality. Historically, veneer was frequently used as a design element and inlaid over solid wood.

The wood used in high quality wooden furniture should match in grain and color. You should be able to spot this easily. Does the piece look attractive? Is there anything about the wood that looks "off"? The best wood will have a cohesive look. It should show little to no sign of moisture either. This is because of the extensive process used to dry the wood, removing almost all moisture. This will help to extend the life and look of your wooden furniture.

IS THE FURNITURE EQUIPPED FOR LONG-TERM USE?
After you've identified the construction aspects and type of wood used, you should look at how the furniture functions. The drawers should slide smoothly, closing tightly and evenly. Doors should open and close easily as well. They should be flush against the frame when closed.

High quality hardware on doors and drawers are important too. These are easy to spot visually but be sure to try out handles and knobs before you assume anything. Hardware should be well-affixed, not loose or uneven.

One final and key place to examine a piece of furniture is in its unexposed areas. How do the back and inner frame look? If they are sanded smooth with a tight fit, then you've got a winner. You've definitely spotted high quality wooden furniture because only the best craftsmen pay attention to details like that.

SOURCES:
Demesne.info
Wikip edia.org

Learn more about this author, Lorie Grant DeWorken.
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