Furniture Tips

In today’s post our guest expert Amy Chan is going to talk about some good furniture tips.

Most people buy furniture without the least knowledge about what they have just purchased. For your information, home furniture wear and tear as the years go by, and unless you have an idea on basic furniture repair, your investment will only come to nothing. However, once you learn how to repair even the simplest of damage, you’ll be able to extend the life of your furniture.

When buying wooden furniture, be careful of stuff that are made of solid wood. Wooden furniture made from this kind of material is harder to repair. Aside from that, solid wood is also very heavy making it not worth buying at all. Look for ones that are made from oak or cherry wood instead. Oakwood for one is very reliable, possessing a property that helps it resist insect or fungal attack.

Depending on the quality of the furniture you are purchasing I do not agree that you want to stay away from solid wood furniture.  While most furniture that you are buying today is made of a particle board and a veneer over top – it can be rather pricey and can weigh a ton.  The advantage to the particle board is that it allows some give (expanding & contracting of the furniture) with-out too many issues.  Solid wood furniture can loosen at the joints over time with the changes in season (ever notice your dining room or kitchen chairs are a little more creaky getting into the winter?).

When applying any type of finish on your furniture, take the humidity into account. If humidity levels are too high, it will take time for the finish to dry and your furniture will likely have an ugly finish. It is also advisable that you allow the finish to settle and dry completely before using the furniture. 2 to 3 days perhaps would be enough. Avoid placing accessories over your furniture to prevent damages and scratch. As much as possible, protect the surface with a mat before placing the object.

Squeaks you hear from metal or wooden bed frames indicate that the furniture needs some minor fixing. For metal beds, you will need to apply oil to rivets to stop the squeaking sound. Wooden beds that make noises however indicate that some parts have become loose and needs some re-gluing. Meanwhile, wooden drawers need to be lubricated especially when it is starting to get stuck when being opened.

It’s also ideal to use glass tops on wooden table since they actually protect the furniture from scratches. Make sure that you don’t allow moisture to get trapped in between while you place the glass over the wood. To remove moisture, raise the glass a little with the help of rubber bumpers. In addition, remember to oil wooden screws before using them to minimize friction.

Glass tops are a great way to protect the furniture especially if you are going to use the piece alot.  If you are not going to be using the furniture alot – save your money.

Living room furniture is a good investment. A complete set may cost a fortune but it can indeed create a simple yet elegant look for your home. Give your furniture the care they deserve and you’ll surely be able to enjoy them for years.

Amy Chan is an avid eBay user and has been buying and selling professionally on eBay for the last 3 years. She is also a regular author on several online blog sites. You can view her recent articles on drawer pulls and dresser knobs here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_M_Chan

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Until next time – Dan @ Wood Menders