How to Tell if Furniture is High Quality

Buying high-quality furniture is an important investment, but how can you be sure the piece you are eyeing is high quality? High-quality furniture is made from solid hardwoods, strong joinery like mortise and tenon or dovetails, durable finishes and well-crafted hardware. It should feel sturdy, look consistent throughout, and come from a transparent manufacturer. 

What type of wood indicates high-quality furniture? 

Look for solid hardwoods like oak, walnut, maple, and cherry to ensure high quality. Real wood will often have a visible grain and feel heavier, compared to a particle board that is light weight and can chip easily.  

We use premium hardwood sourced from FSC-approved Timberlands and used with minimal waste. This ensures Stickley furniture is built to last a lifetime and won’t need to be replaced after a few years.  

What joinery does high-quality furniture have? 

High-quality furniture uses strong joinery instead of staples or glue. 

 Choose pieces with 

Stickley furniture is built using traditional mortise and tenon joinery. This includes pinned, keyed, and through-tenon variations, along with dovetailed drawers and other time-honored woodworking techniques that prioritize strength, durability, and craftsmanship. 

How to tell if furniture hardware is high quality 

High-quality hardware should feel heavy, smooth, and secure on handles, hinges, and slides. Drawers and doors should align evenly and glide smoothly.  

Stickley furniture features thoughtfully selected hardware in solid brass, bronze, nickel, iron, and copper finishes, with many designs drawing inspiration from the hand-forged metalwork of the Arts & Crafts movement., complementing the furniture's handcrafted construction.  

How to tell if a finish is high quality  

The finish of a piece can tell you a lot about its quality. High-quality furniture finishing includes  

It is also important to look beyond what is initially visible. Lower-quality furniture may look good from the front but appear unfinished underneath or in less visible areas.  

Here at Stickley, we hand apply our finishes, and they are used to allow the beauty of the wood grain to shine through. Details like carvings and delicate inlays require the hands-on work of a skilled craftsman and show the true care put into each piece. 

How to detect high-quality upholstery  

High-quality upholstery should have 

• neat stitching
• pattern alignment
• no loose threads
• Tightly woven durable fabric
• Try sitting on a chair or sofa and make sure that it rebounds instead of collapsing.  

Our fine leather furniture and upholstery are meticulously crafted in our North Carolina factory to bring you a gorgeous design, state-of-the-art features, and long-lasting comfort.  

How to Evaluate a Furniture Manufacturer 

A good manufacturer should be transparent about how their furniture is made. Look for furniture companies that clearly share information about the wood type, joinery methods, materials used, and warranty details. 

Manufacturers that openly explain their craftsmanship methods provide more confidence in the quality and durability of their furniture. At Stickley we are transparent about the materials and techniques we use, including premium hardwoods, mortise and tenon joinery, hand applied finishes, and high-quality hardware. Approximately 90% of Stickley furniture is manufactured in Manlius NY, and Archdale, North Carolina, using responsibly sourced wood from FSC-approved timberlands. 

Frequently Asked Questions  

How long should high-quality furniture last?  

High-quality furniture should last for generations. Stickley furniture is designed to last for more than 50 years and remains in excellent condition. 

What makes furniture heirloom quality? 

Heirloom-quality furniture is designed for longevity, durability, and aesthetic timelessness, opposed to fast furniture that prioritizes low cost and trendiness. Heirloom pieces can last for decades while keeping their original structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.  

Does heavier furniture mean better quality? 

Weight is not always an indicator of high-quality furniture. High qualityHigh-quality furniture is often heavier due to solid hardwoods and strong joinery. Older, heavier pieces often outlast modern light weight ones.