Up-cycled or reclaimed wood is unique in both its appearance and texture, making it an ideal choice for the contemporary home as well as the traditional. Defined by its quality and authentic, aged look, it can turn an average makeover into a high-impact drama pretty easily, and because it will work with anything, it’s possibly one of the most versatile design options.

Most people perhaps associate the reclaimed look with a rustic, country-inspired environment, but this could not be further from the truth. If anything, it’s actually a very common addition to a truly contemporary design, which tends to be led by an, ‘anything goes’ approach. You mix old with new for a splash of drama, which is not easy with other kinds of furniture design. Again, giving absolute strength to the idea that a reclaimed approach is a versatile option for you.

For a living room, using a piece of furniture crafted from recycled wood is a great way to contrast the texture of wood with a fabric sofa or curtains for example. Equally, if you’ve gone all out for a very modern look, sometimes the addition of a reclaimed piece is all it takes to bring some character to the occasion. It will also completely soften a harsher, industrial look while never looking out of place too, making it the furniture of choice for many interior designers.

If you’ve got a bedroom that needs some personality, then a full-on recycled timber design can really mix things up, creating a space that is both warm, natural and relaxing, while being totally on-trend!  A wardrobe with a personality is so much more exciting and it feels different. Another aspect of this type of furniture is how it feels.

For a kitchen, there has never been a better place for this type of furniture. From a dresser, through to a sideboard or dining chairs, you can bring that rustic charm in if you want it, or use it to off-set an ultra-modern kitchen for a quirky twist.  

One of the most defining features of reclaimed wooden furniture is, of course, the fact that it has a story. There’s nothing more dramatic than the piece of wood that has unique knots, a unique grain and even the odd hole where nails have been removed for its next use. You just cannot and do not get this with modern construction. And of course, because of this, you can be sure that you will never find two pieces that are the same. That’s virtually a designer look but usually without the price tag.

If you’re looking for a way to furnish your chosen room with style and flexibility, take a look at reclaimed wood. You may just be surprised at how versatile it really is.

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Palliser

In this one-size-fits-all world PALLISER® offers a sensible, user friendly selection of designs – not to overwhelm you, but plenty to guarantee you’ll find yourself.

https://www.palliser.com

Woodworks

Woodworks operates from a fifty thousand square foot manufacturing facility located in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia, Canada. Our plant is renowned in the woodworking industry for its state of the art equipment and layout.

The craftsman at Woodworks are a major part of the Company’s success, many have been with us since the early eighties when the company developed from a one man operation. The entire staff is committed to providing you with a high degree of excellence in Oak and Maple furnishings built to last a lifetime.

https://www.woodworks.ca

Sahara

Located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Sahara Furniture has been in operation since 1996.At Sahara Furniture, we are committed to producing a line of furniture that will stand the test of time.

www.saharafurniture.com

Handstone

Handstone solid wood furniture, custom built in Canada to order in Oak, Maple, Cherry with many stain, hardware and finish options available.

handstone.ca

College Woodwork

At College Woodwork, we take pride in creating solid wood furniture of outstanding beauty, design, and value. College offers an extensive line of superior quality home furnishings. Our furniture line includes a vast selection of bedroom and home office pieces, as well as other accessories tailored to meet the needs of today’s consumer. In creating exceptional furniture, we maintain our commitment to provide our consumers with quality pieces that are not only stylish and timeless but also durable and affordable.

collegewoodwork.org

Stylus

A manufacturer of contemporary and traditional sofas, sectionals, loveseats, chairs, and sofa beds.

Birchwood

Birchwood Furniture is a family owned business located in the Foothills Industrial Park in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In operation since 1978, the business is now managed by the second generation of the family. Our plant location is home to our production facility.

Birchwood is recognized for its distinct styling, comfortable seating, lasting quality and dependable service. These attributes, together with strict quality control and attention to detail, have made Birchwood a supplier to choice furniture retailers across Canada.

http://www.birchwood.com

Buhler

Since 1933, the Bühler Family of companies have been manufacturing in North America. It has been our tradition through three generations to create the highest standard of furnishings that exceed our customer’s expectations.

http://buhlerfurniture.com

Dutalier

Dutailier handcrafts glider chairs and modern furniture that strike the perfect chord between style and quality.

https://www.dutailier.com

Geovin

Founded in Toronto, Canada in 1996, Geovin has grown into a leading manufacturer of stylish home furnishings of impeccable quality for the North American

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Simply Amish

Simply Amish furniture has been handcrafting quality solid wood Amish made furniture since 1979.

www.simplyamish.com

Hand Stone

Handstone solid wood furniture, custom built in Canada to order in Oak, Maple, Cherry with many stain, hardware and finish options available.

handstone.ca

Sahara furniture

Located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Sahara Furniture has been in operation since 1996.At Sahara Furniture, we are committed to producing a line of furniture that will stand the test of time.

www.saharafurniture.com

Fireside Lodge Furniture

Located in the Northern Minnesota Lakes Area, Fireside Lodge Furniture is your premier destination for rustic furniture.

http://firesidelodgefurniture.com

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Why Furniture isn’t Created Equally

Life is all about choices, and furniture is no different. Manufacturers decide on the market for which they want to cater, and then make their products accordingly. This doesn’t mean that a manufacturer who is aiming at budget items consciously decides to turn out bad workmanship. In fact expensive items may be badly made simply because upmarket, classy designs often incorporate more difficult joints and features that take experience and skill to produce. Inexpensive furniture may be well or badly made; it’s up to you to recognize degrees of quality.

In fact it is essential that you check all furniture before you buy it, however cheap or expensive it may be. As they say in the classics, the quality of a Monday item and a Friday item out of the same factory can vary tremendously. For example, you may have two seemingly identical tables to choose from, but one wobbles ever so slightly. Or perhaps you are buying an upholstered couch, and notice that the piping on the one has not been as neatly stitched as the other.

Comparing Different Types of Wooden Furniture

There are many different ways that wooden furniture is designed and made. A simple differentiation is that some items are engineered in a factory while others are carefully crafted by hand. Hand crafted furniture is usually a lot more expensive, simply because of the man-hours that go into making it. But weigh up the pros and cons, because a lot of factory-made quality furniture will look just as good and last just as long, without making the same sized dent in your pocket.

Also consider that there are many different ways that pieces of wood can be joined together. Some cheaper tables and chairs, for example, may be screwed together, while traditional designs will incorporate carefully cut, traditional joints. When you compare different items (irrespective of price differences), examine the joints. Even two simple kists – which are really just oversized, attractive storage boxes – may be assembled in totally different ways. For instance, one might simply be glued and pinned or screwed together; while the other is made with traditional, wedge-shaped dovetail joints that interlock and form a solid bond without the need for wood glue and metal fasteners.

When it comes to wooden items of furniture, it isn’t just the design that differentiates one type of item from the other. It is also the variety of wood that is used to make each item.

The two basic types of wood found in nature are softwood that comes from cone-bearing coniferous trees with prickly needles, like firs and pine trees; and hardwood, the type that is cut from a wide variety of deciduous trees. This can be confusing, since not all hardwoods are particularly hard, and some softwoods are in fact relatively hard, even harder than some hardwoods. For instance while ordinary pine is commonly used for mass produced furniture (including tables, chairs and beds), Oregon pine is a lot stronger and is often used to make better quality items. Douglas fir, which is another variety of softwood, tends to be hard, about the same consistency as European walnut, cherry wood and American elm.

Generally furniture made from hardwood is more expensive, possibly since it is more commonly used to make period-style traditional items, which of course require a lot more work. They are also not commonly mass produced (which generally brings down the price per unit).

Another factor is that not all wooden furniture is made from solid wood; many manufacturers specialize in making cabinets, tables and so on from manmade board, and many use veneers to finish items. This gives the impression of a solid wood surface, when it is in fact just a thin layer of wood that covers a much cheaper material.

A particularly popular man-made board is medium density fiberboard (MDF) which is beautifully smooth and easy to carve. Well made furniture from this material, if creatively designed and given a top quality finish, can compete with some of the most beautiful items made from solid wood – although it is true that many people want their wooden furniture to be made of solid wood and not from some sort of manmade fiber.

Finish is another factor to consider when buying wooden or solid board furniture. There are loads of options, the most important factor probably being the ability of the finish to withstand wear and tear, and staining. But having said that, surfaces that have been French polished have to be carefully maintained, because this is one surface that won’t withstand spills and scratches, yet furniture that has been finished this way is usually very pricey. So it’s not that easy to set hard and fast rules.

Comparing Beds and Mattresses

One item of furniture we all need is some sort of bed, with a good quality mattress that allows us to get a good night’s sleep. Some beds are available without mattresses, although most incorporate a base that is designed to be used to support the mattress and elevate you off the ground at the same time.

Beds with bases are commonly made of wood or metal, and include some gorgeous four poster and brass bedstead designs. Leather beds are also becoming a popular choice. In these instances, the bed itself is a feature, adding to the design and style of the room. Sleep sets, on the other hand, are generally more practical and comfort-orientated, but generally plain. However while many comprise simply the base and mattress, others do have bed heads, or can be installed with custom-made bed heads. So in this case you will be considering not only price and quality, but also what the bed will look like in your bedroom – which should be your personal haven.

Then there’s the choice of mattress. Of all the items of furniture in any home, mattresses are not the same, even if they look identical once the bedding is in place! They range from cheap foam, to new-age “memory foam”, and from regular sprung to specially-manufactured orthopaedic mattresses.

Alternatively you might prefer to opt for a cotton-stuffed futon that may be used on just about any type or style of base.

At the end of the day, whatever furniture you are going to buy should be of the best quality you can afford. As long as you are aware that not all furniture is created equally, you should be in a position to evaluate quality as well as value for money.

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Size — while modern dining room tables may differ in size depending on the shape and size of your dining space, most dining room chairs have some things in common. A standard dining room table is about 30 inches high. Therefore, a standard dining room chair is about 16-18 inches from the floor to the chair seat. This allows roughly 12 inches from the seat cushion to the top of the table allowing for plenty of leg room. The seat is usually 15-18 inches deep which will accommodate most any size person comfortably. The height of the back of the chair is a personal choice. However, you will want to take into consideration the height of the ceiling in your room. A chair with a very high back in a room with a very low ceiling may look out of proportion. Conversely, placing a low back chair in a room with 12 foot ceilings will make the chairs look miniature in size. Be sure to consider the appearance and scale of your table and chairs. It is not a good idea to place frail bentwood chairs next to a solid, mission style table. By the same token, surrounding a glass table with heavy, Spanish colonial chairs is probably not the right choice.

Material — do you want solid wood chairs, fully upholstered chairs, metal chairs etc.? There is no right or wrong answer to this question. If you have chosen a matching table and chairs then the decision has been made for you. However, many people elect to find a table first and look for chairs later. This makes for a much more interesting set of furniture. But our dining room chairs take much more of a beating than the table. People will be sitting on these chairs, dropping food on these chairs, and placing hands and maybe even feet on these chairs. Before considering what type of covering you will want it is important to choose the “frame” of the chair. Hardwoods such as maple, oak and ash are the best choices as they can withstand the weight of people’s bodies and will resist splintering. Depending on how often you will use your dining room chairs will determine what type of material you would like them covered in. If your chairs are used only during holidays and on special occasions you have more freedom in material choice. You can choose a beautifully upholstered chair that can be spot cleaned if necessary. But if your chairs are to be used on a daily basis you will want to consider a material that is more user-friendly. An all wood chair with fabric cushions might be a better choice. The cushions can easily be replaced if they become heavily soiled or you just grow tired of the fabric. Keep in mind that any fabric used should be stain resistant making it easy to clean when necessary.

Style — there is no right or wrong when it comes to style. If you like it then it works. But there are some guidelines that might make selecting dining room chairs a little easier. Your dining room table may already dictate a style of chair. If it is a sleek and modern glass table it is unlikely you will want to place a heavy wooden chair next to it. However, a set of fully upholstered armchairs in a bright and contemporary print may be just the ticket. Upholstering the same chairs in an ultrasuede will make a statement in your dining room. If Arts and Crafts or Mission is your style then you will want to choose a heavy oak chair. For more comfort and color you can always add a seat cushion. An eclectic dining room will allow you to mix and match your chair styles to your table. A painted wooden table surrounded by wooden chairs of different styles can be a charming look. Tying on cushions in coordinating prints will add to the country feel.

It is up to you to decide whether you would like armchairs, chairs with no arms or a combination of the two. Many people choose to place two armchairs at the ends of the table as host and hostess chairs while the guest chairs have no arms. Not only does this distinguish the host and hostess, it also makes it easier for guests to be seated without stumbling over the arms of the other chairs.

Whether your dining room is dedicated to dining only or it serves as homework central, a bill paying station or a craft table for the kids, selecting dining room chairs is an important job. The goal is to find chairs that reflect your taste, meet the demands of your lifestyle and get the most for our money.

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Whether it is formal drawing room or reception area, a casual lounge, or a sitting room that will be used by the whole family, a living room will usually become a hive of activity. This means that you need to choose the right type of furniture for the room, including chairs and sofas, bookshelves, TV cabinets and tables of various types – depending of course on your personal needs.

It doesn’t matter whether you are buying a lounge suite or selecting end tables for your living room, the first step is to make sure you identify what your needs are. This doesn’t mean the fact that you simply want end tables or a couch, but rather what you need them for. After all you can use pretty well anything to stand and display things on. And you can sit on any type of seat. The question is what exactly will the tables be used for and what sort of seating is needed.

Identify your living room needs

Living rooms take so many different forms it really is essential to know what you want. If you have the luxury of more than one “living” room, you will be able to choose what happens where. For instance you may be able to accommodate a formal room where you entertain guests as well as a family room where you keep a music centre, television and possibly also a mini-library.

When used by the whole family, a living room will generally become a multifunctional room. It will usually be where everyone sits and relaxes. It will often be where the television set is located, and so will become a family entertainment area of sorts. It might even double as a dining room, where the family eats.  Sometimes children will use it to do homework, and the mother of the house might also use it as a sewing room.

Once you know how you will use your living room or rooms, you can decide how to lay it out and how to furnish it. The main priorities will be seating, surfaces and storage. In this article we focus on tables, specifically end tables.

Suitable tables for a living room

The most usual table chosen for a living room is a coffee table. This is usually placed in front of a couch or sofa, and its official function is a surface for a tea tray or coffee mugs. More usually, a coffee table becomes a place for books (specifically good looking ‘coffee table’ books) – or when the neighbors aren’t looking, a rest for tired feet.

Larger, higher tables are also included in many living rooms, and are often used to display decorative items. When it is a real family room, a larger table will often become a venue for homework within the living room.

Generally pedestal tables are round and a feature in themselves. Similarly, half round tables are intended for use against a wall, and these are normally used for display purposes.

Sideboard-style tables, which are usually rectangular in shape, are also popular in living rooms. These are generally narrow and quite high – normally about the height of a regular mantelpiece that would be constructed above a fireplace. Mostly they are used to display items, including flowers and ornaments.

End tables are small tables that are placed on either side of sofas and couches, or beside chairs. These are usually the height of the arm of the chair, making them a practical addition to the room. They are used in much the same way as bedside tables are (in the bedroom), for anything from cups and glasses to books and whatever else you want next to you while you are in the room. Often they are used for lamps.

Funnily enough, the term “end table” dates to the mid 19th century. Nowadays we tend to use the term side table, probably because these are tables that are positioned at the side of whatever items of furniture we use for seating.

Suitable end table styles

If you page through magazines and books, or browse the Internet – or visit friends – you will notice that end tables come in a variety of types and styles. So when it comes to selecting end tables for your living room, you need to know exactly what you are looking for. This relates not only to cost, but more specifically to style and function.

Generally speaking we can divide end tables into casual and formal styles that may be traditional or contemporary. But the choice within these broad categories is huge. For instance casual designs may be rectangular, oval, square or round. Some have wooden tops, while others have glass tops that are inlaid in a wooden frame. Some even incorporate stone, slate or metal tops. Some have cupboards while others don’t. Whilst most have four legs, some only have three. A few are made with a single leg.

If you have a home that is decorated in a specific style, you will be looking for end tables that fit that style. This could range from a one-legged Baxton Studio stainless steel accent table with a round glass top mimicking the top 1920 designer Eileen Gray, to an antique Georgian butler’s tray with ornate inlaid marquetry.

Some of the most beautiful traditional designs are based on end tables that are displayed in museums. One quite simple example is a round lamp table with a leather top that is based on a lovely little table in the Museum of New Mexico. Other designs found in this same museum are also available commercially, in a contemporary format.

So when you begin selecting end tables for your living room remember that there is a huge choice and it pays to keep searching until you find exactly what you want.

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With the introduction of veneers, wood furniture became lighter and cheaper. It also had a tendency to flake, crack, craze, and flake away in large unsightly chunks. This reveals an ugly gaping hole of plastic or plywood that completely detracts from the furniture’s intended beauty.

Real wood furniture is crafted from solid wood, not bits of wood linings. Real wood furniture is going to be heavier, more costly, and more durable. While of course you’re not tap dancing on the antique secretary’s desk, you are likely to make furniture ownership errors along the way. You might spill something, drop something, drop the furniture, forget to wax for half a year, or simply become the victim of an unfortunate roof leak. Having strong furniture that was crafted from quality wood is much more likely to survive these mishaps than veneered wood that can’t even be guaranteed to stay together during a particularly humid summer.

When trying to determine how to tell if furniture is made from real wood it is okay to ask before buying. It is a simple question that so many of us avoid because we are afraid of looking like an uninformed consumer. We would rather take the chance of buying something that isn’t real than to risk sounding silly, offending a craftsman, or appearing unappreciative. Just like anything else, a representative of fine furniture would rather have you ask than be unsure. Let’s not forget that it is your hard earned money that you are slapping down. You have the right to ask any question you want. And you have the right to be answered with respect even if you ask if they have it in purple. And if you ask this question often enough, you may be surprised at the answer. After all, there are some really high quality veneer jobs out there that can be almost undetectable.

Asking only works when you’re buying a piece of furniture. What about the piece of furniture you’re about to list on EBay or the one you’re great grandmother left you? Weight is a key indicator, unless it’s a soft light wood like pine. Flaking or lifting corners are an indication that the piece is a veneer. You want to make sure that when you list something for sale that you are representing the truth, so you might want to check more than just the basics.

Veneered furniture tends to be covered all over, including the bottom pieces that aren’t seen under normal circumstances. Real wood furniture has stud pieces in these areas. Stud pieces are real pieces of unfinished wood that are part of the piece’s structure. It can be harder to find the stud pieces on some furnishings than others. A table, for instance, is likely to have stud pieces on the underside, which you can see simply by crouching down to take a peek. A dresser is a little harder to just peek under. However, if you remove a drawer, you can probably find a stud piece by using a flashlight and peering into the back of the piece. While this is not a steadfast rule, it is helpful when attempting to discern whether or not a piece of furniture is made from real wood.

Laminate pieces are the easiest to detect. Laminate is different from veneer. Veneer is like a sheet of real wood placed over plywood or plastic. Laminate is made from foils or paper and is created by a machine that is able to doll out a convincing design. However, laminate lacks any type of original detail, like grain.

Grain is one of the number one determining factors when distinguishing between solid wood furniture and other types of wood furniture. When grain can be touched, there is no doubt. Grain can be felt by the fingertips, often traced along the ridge of the grain as it juts above the rest of the wood just a fraction of a centimeter sometimes. Grain is almost barely discernable when the furniture has been sealed to prevent drying out or crazing. It also smoothes out the surface. It may take a strong magnifying glass to determine whether or not the grain of the wood is real or not. Furniture with obviously carved details is solid wood. You can not carve veneers or laminates.

Understanding how to tell if furniture is made from real wood requires a combination of all the above information. Since real wood pieces are unique, it might need to meet several criteria for you to be sure. Of course, there is always the option of taking a piece of sandpaper to the furniture!

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For example, do you know the difference between a $150 chair and a $300 chair? And is the $300 chair the same as the $650 chair? Let’s break it down.

Elements of an Inexpensive Chair

An inexpensive chair frame is very often made of particle board and wood veneers instead of solid wood. While there is nothing wrong with veneer, recognize that it will eventually peel and break off, can discolor over time and cannot be sanded and restained. Once it is damaged it will need to be replaced.

Soft woods are commonly used to make inexpensive furniture. This would include pine, cedar and spruce, non furniture grade plywood and, of course, particle board. Particle board is a man-made material that is created by compressing several particles of wood together that are then bound with some type of resin. A veneer is attached to give it the appearance of wood furniture.

Inexpensive furniture is often assembled using staples, nails and glue that will, over time, come apart. Also, soft woods do not hold the screws and nails in place very well, allowing them to come loose. The result is wobbly and unstable furniture. Inexpensive furniture may also have webbing as the support system in place of springs. Webbing is not particularly comfortable and, since it is a fabric, will eventually wear out. Your furniture will be stuffed with foam cushions that may or may not have a muslin covering to help keep your fabric in place.

Fabric is loosely woven, allowing it to tear or come apart at the seams. It may not be resistant to fading and may even feel scratchy and uncomfortable to the touch. Yes, even style is reflected in the price. A comfortable chair will have a rounded back vs. straight, proper seat height and depth, arm shape etc.

Elements of a Mid-priced Chair

You will get more for your money with a mid-priced chair. This price range will allow you to purchase chairs constructed of hardwood such as oak, maple, cherry and walnut. These woods can hold screws and nails, especially those that have been counter sunk, keeping the furniture sturdy for many years. The legs should be screwed and glued for additional stability. A sinuous spring system or eight way, hand tied spring system is commonly found in furniture in this price range. This spring system provides support for your cushions as well as comfort and support for the person sitting in the chair.

Durable fabrics that have been treated to withstand abrasion, fading etc. are used as upholstery for mid priced furniture. There will be no defects such as color changes, mismatched patterns or sloppy stitching. Cushions may be a combination of high quality foam and feathers, wrapped in muslin to prevent feathers from poking through the fabric. Muslin also prevents your upholstery fabric from slipping or bunching over time.

Elements of a High priced Chair

The most expensive furniture available is made of responsibly harvested, solid hardwoods such as walnut, maple, oak, ash, birch and mahogany. These woods feature beautiful color and grain and are durable enough to withstand everyday wear and tear. Exotic woods such as ebony, koa and burl may also be found in expensive furniture.

A high quality chair will feature exquisite fabrics that have been hand woven, embroidered, custom dyed or imported from faraway lands. The upholstery will be perfectly matched and incorporate small details such as double welting, nail head trim and tufting, just to name a few.

The spring system will feature eight way, hand tied springs for the ultimate in comfort and support. The highest quality foam is used in combination with feathers and down. For those who prefer the relaxed look and feel, 100% down filled cushions are available.

High quality furniture can be refinished and reupholstered time and again and will last for many years.

Keep in mind that price does not always equate to value. You may be lucky enough to find a great bargain on a very well made piece of furniture. On the other hand, you may pay a great deal of money for a piece of mid-quality furniture simply because it bears the name of a celebrity or well known designer.

Making the decision to purchase low, mid or high quality furniture is determined first by your budget and secondly by function. If your chair is just an accent chair that will sit in the foyer and collect guests’ coats and bags then the lower priced furniture may be acceptable. However, a chair that is going to receive years of use by rambunctious kids, sloppy pets and messy husbands will require a higher quality piece of furniture in order for you to get the most for your money.

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When I was a child, I left my glass of orange juice on the piano while I practiced. The circle left behind upset my mother terribly, especially since the piano was a hand me down from her mother. She called everyone under the sun and asked what to do. She finally settled on having the entire piano refinished, which even at the age of ten I thought was a little drastic. Nevertheless, after my month of grounding was over, the piano was returned to our home looking perfectly pristine and completely devoid of the evidence a ten year old can leave behind.

I didn’t understand why she didn’t ground herself, however, when her antique baking table ended up with various water marks from a party she threw around the holidays. I guess it’s just different when adults do things, even when they leave behind the same result. However, this time, she had a friend who was able to promise her he could repair the stain without having to endure the expense, and the hassles of moving the furniture, of refinishing. He showed up two days later with a tube of toothpaste. I thought for sure that if adults could ground other adults, this would be the time. My mother stood there, with her arms crossed in fervent denial, while her friend worked the toothpaste into the stain. He told her to let it dry there overnight and he would be back in the morning. Of course, the toothpaste smeared into the baking table was a conversation piece for the rest of the evening, even arousing a chuckle from my father when he came home.

Early the next morning, the toothpaste King reappeared with a cloth, some lemon oil, and a little furniture polish. He went right to work as he removed the toothpaste with a soft damp cloth and then followed up with a round of lemon oil. For his final exhibit, he pulled out the furniture polish and waxed until the whole table top shone with luster that uncrossed my mother’s arms. Apparently, this type of trick works on many woods, but not all.

Toothpaste has changed some over the years. There are now all kinds of gel based toothpastes that work for removing stains from your teeth while simultaneously freshening breath, fighting various gum diseases, and whitening your teeth into a brand new hue. That’s great for your mouth but not you furniture. Only use an actual regular toothpaste (as in the pasty stuff that tasted horrible when we were kids) when repairing water stains on furniture.

Polishing the water stain with cigarette ashes, after they’ve cooled, can also remove the water mark. Cigar ashes also work, but for some reason cigarette ashes work a bit better. Mixing these ashes with a small amount of water results in a highly unappetizing mess that works well on water stains.

If there isn’t a smoker handy, you can also make an almost as effective concoction of baking soda and water. In this case you will want to make it a heavy paste, almost the same consistency of the toothpaste and rub it thoroughly throughout the stain. Make sure the stain is completed coated, and then leave it where it is for about 12 hours. When you remove the baking soda (or ashes) paste that you made, use a soft dry cloth and be persistent. Get it all off before attacking the area with lemon oil and furniture polish. This, however, might take two tries before the stain is entirely gone.

If you are lucky enough to catch the spill or water mark at the time of the incident, wipe it up quickly and then allow a cool or mildly warm hair dryer setting to thoroughly dry out the area. While some wood furniture will still stain, sometimes if you evaporate the droplets fast enough you can prevent the staining to occur altogether.

When my mother’s friend left the house after our little round of education, I did remind her that she had grounded me for the same incident. Turns out, if she had realized that repairing water stains on furniture was so easy and inexpensive, my month of isolation would have never occurred. Either way, it was a long time before I left a glass to sweat all over a piece of furniture, which in the long run made me a better guest in someone’s home. Thus, perhaps not all was lost.

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What is a warranty and do you really need one on your furniture? The answer to the first part of that question is that a warranty is a written guarantee that your furniture will be replaced or repaired, under certain pre-determined circumstances, if your product is defective. It is important that you read each warranty so you understand your responsibilities, exactly what is covered and what is excluded.

Do you need a Warranty for Furniture?

The answer to that question can be determined by several things:

• Price: If you paid a great deal of money for your furniture you should expect it to be free of any defects. However, if something should occur such as a broken spring, frame defects or problems with the fabric you will want to be assured that these issues will be taken care of by the dealer, manufacturer etc. If the item was inexpensive and a “short term” piece in your plans, a warranty may not be worth any additional cost or effort.
• Quality: You can check the spring system on furniture and you can learn about the type of wood used and the way the chair was manufactured. But it is difficult to determine the quality of fabric, for example. It may look OK when, in fact, it is an inferior product. This is especially true of leather. Leather is expensive and can crack, peel or transfer dye to clothing etc. A furniture warranty that includes fabric can protect you from these problems and insure that your expensive upholstered chair or couch will last for many years, as it should. This protection can also provide peace of mind and may be worth an additional fee.
• Furniture style: If your furniture has “works” that could break, a warranty is probably a good idea. This would include a recliner, drawer glides, table leaves, sleeper sofa mechanisms etc. You will want to make sure they are protected under the manufacturer’s warranty and also find out if additional coverage is available for purchase. You do not want to find yourself with a comfortable chair that refuses to recline or a beautiful dining room table that cannot be expanded due to defective mechanisms.

Warranty Options

Most manufacturers offer some sort of limited warranty on their furniture. This means that they will repair or replace defective items only under certain circumstances. For example, fabric is protected against fraying, dye transfer and splitting under “normal wear and tear” for usually one year from date of purchase. Cushions and foam are guaranteed not to sag or break apart for one year from date of purchase. The springs and wood frame are often guaranteed not to break or come apart for five years from date of purchase, again under “normal wear and tear”.

Occasionally a manufacturer will offer a lifetime warranty. This is usually on high end, quality furniture. Remember, this is on the “life” of the furniture, not your lifetime. There will be exclusions and disclaimers in the text of the warranty that identify abnormal wear and tear, excessive abuse, improper cleaning methods etc. as actions that void the warranty. Be sure to take the time to read it carefully and completely so you understand what is covered and what is excluded.

If you follow all cleaning and care instructions provided by the manufacturer you will not only maintain the good looks and comfort of your furniture, but you will keep the warranty intact in the event a problem arises down the road.

Your furniture purchase plan might be to buy affordable furniture for the short term or you may be looking for a quality piece that will last for years. And you may think that, because your furniture was not expensive, there is no need for a warranty. But a defective item that is not guaranteed is simply a waste of money, regardless of how much it costs. Before you lay down your hard earned dollars, talk to your dealer and find out what type of protection is available, both included in the price and for a separate fee. This will allow you to relax and enjoy your beautiful new furniture knowing that you are protected should a problem occur.

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