Made Goods
Belle & June – Made Goods
The Made Goods brand is a wholesale supplier of exquisite furniture for every room in the house. Each product they offer originates with the company's innovative design team and built from unique materials using forward-thinking manufacturing methods. These pieces are available through exclusive distribution to high-end retailers and boutiques.
But don't take our word for it, judge for yourself what makes Made Goods one of the most sought after furniture brands in the country. Many consumers aren't aware of the differences between a quality piece of furniture and a cheaper alternative. To the untrained eye, both may seem equal in every way.
What Should I Look for When Buying Furniture?
The next time you are shopping to furnish your home keep the following factors in mind. As long as you are cognizant of these guidelines, you can rest assured the furniture you buy is built to last.
Choice of Wood
When it comes to selecting wood furniture, you have three common types from which to choose: solid wood, particle board, or veneers. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages and your decision should take into account the durability of the wood and the cost.
Solid wood is the most expensive because it lasts longer and offers a higher level of quality. But it's also easier to scratch and dent. Particle board is the cheapest option because it's constructed from a combination of wood pulp and plastic. It looks good enough but don't expect it to last very long. The last choice is veneers which combine a lower-quality wood core with higher quality wood materials along the exterior.
Don't Trust Nails or Glue
Check to see how your piece of furniture has been constructed. If nails or glue are the main components keeping the product together, you should keep searching for the ideal product. A high-quality item is manufactured through wood joinery, a process that joins the wood at the corners of the furniture. This makes the piece stronger and more sturdy, which means you're buying quality.
This is particularly important for the legs of your furniture. Nails or glue can begin to wear out and fail over time, threatening to damage a desk or chair when it breaks and falls over if you place any weight on top of it. Check to make sure the legs are jointed to the frame of your furniture to ensure they remain in place for the life of the piece. All Made Goods furniture is built with the corners and legs of the furniture fully jointed to last longer.
Test the Cabinets and Drawers
Always give the cabinets and drawers a test-run before you buy. You want all of the cabinet doors to open and shut without effort and an open door should never swing shut on its own. Be sure the doors are flush when closed. Drawers should pull out completely and shut without any obstructions. All the handles and knobs must be firmly stuck in place. You don't want any of the hardware to be loose so that it can be turned in your hand.
Fabrics to Fit Your Home
The fabric you choose for your furniture is going to need to withstand the wear and tear of your lifestyle. You want the piece to complement your home design but you also want it to look its best for as long as possible. Bright colors will look dirty quicker and require more maintenance. Whites and pastels may not be very practical in homes with kids and pets. These colors may match your home decoration scheme but you will find yourself working harder to keep them clean. Look for stain-resistant options to help protect your expensive furnishings.
How Can You Tell if Furniture is Good Quality?
It's all about the details. High-end furniture manufacturers take special care to ensure their products are built to last and it's often the little things that make the biggest difference between quality furniture and their low-quality alternatives. So what makes something like a Made Goods nightstand a better option over something you might pick up at a big box store? Look closely at certain specific areas of the piece.
Wood Furniture Designs
You'll find countless designers of wood furniture creating products at price points to fit any budget. But in the end, you do get what you pay for and you want something that's going to be around for years to come. So when you're buying wood furniture, you want to first determine if it's solid wood or one of the other composite options.
Knots
You've seen them, those little circular imperfections that show up along the surface of wood material. Knots aren't especially attractive nor are they a sign of good quality furniture. That's because a knot can crack which will end up affecting the look and condition of the wood. You want a piece that is free of knots.
Joints
As we mentioned before, the joints of your furniture should never be nailed or glued together. The same thing goes for staples or any other component that can be easily worn out over time. These are indications your furniture is poor quality. Look for the joints to be assembled with dowels and/or screws with reinforcing blocks attached for security.
Scratch and Dent Resistance
Don't go banging the exterior with a hammer, instead run a fingernail or sharp object lightly against an inconspicuous area of the furniture to see if it leaves behind a mark. If there are no visible dents or scratches, you have a good quality piece of furniture. But if you do see a mark, you can be sure that furniture won't be able to withstand much wear and tear over time.