Maybe I am fussy, but why is so much furniture really crap quality?

[Notcontent]

Just based on my recent experiences. Would love to be able to buy locally made, good quality furniture that does not cost crazy money. I don’t want to name brands, but it all seems to be particle board, flat packed even when it costs 3 or 4 times IKEA prices.

I have a very old Habitat sofa from the days when they were upmarket, and I've recovered it three times and replaced the seats over the years, including a complete reupholster one time. Apparently the frame is still very sturdy. It's far more comfortable than most, and I get to specify the softness of the cushions and other details. There are a few internet sites which deal in upholstery fabrics at sale prices.

I have just come back to this thread. I agree that buying old furniture is the way to go and I do have quite a few old pieces. But the problem is things like wardrobes - particularly if you are tight on space.

I needed to buy a wardrobe recently. I spent quite a bit of time looking for something old - but I could not find anything that would meet my storage requirements. I have seen furniture online and in magazines which is locally made, sustainable, etc - but it would cost thousands, which I do not have. I ended up getting a wardrobe from made.com - and it’s a bit crap to be honest.

My house is 1950s and came with loads of furniture which was horrendous quality compared to some stuff I can buy now.
I mean, it was great that it was free but half of it I can't make use of and no one will buy or even collect for free so I don't this its a super modern problem

@Notcontent

Another option if you have the time and the budget is to get something made for you. I've done this a couple of times and whilst it's expensive it's not (subject to your budget) cost prohibitive - ie. it's hundreds of pounds as opposed to thousands.

I got a side table storage thing made for a bedroom £500 - 600 or so. It was exactly the size and shape I wanted and beautifully made because it's done by a master craftsman who takes pride in their work.

it's far more lovely and solid than any self assembly crap.

Agreed, and lots of PPs have pointed out that second-hand or antique is the way to go. Also consider upcycling - I had two hideous old 80s solid pine chests of drawers that I wanted to replace, after shopping around I couldn't find anything decent that I could afford. So I painted them cream and they're completely transformed. Cost me £10 for the paint.

Furniture used to be made to last several decades as a minimum. Now, the manufacturers assume the buyer will think it is out of fashion, get bored with it and replace it all after 3 or 4 years, so there's no need to use quality raw materials and expert craftmanship.

Furniture has gone the same way as tv and other electrical goods and become a throwaway item.

yeah, places that used to be a by-word for quality (yes, you, John Lewis) now seem to turn out a lot of crap. And, last time I was in there, rather dull crap too. But at least they did refund me for the desk that just started listing and leaning!

I don't know what your style is, OP, but there's a company called Unto This Last which makes good furniture. It's certified sustainable birch ply and comes in a variety of finishes. It's customisable to a degree in terms of sizes and finishes, they manufacture to order and you can get items relaminated/recovered in Lino by them We've got tables and chairs made by them which have lasted very well for nearly 2 decades now. Can't vouch for the wardrobes/cabinets.

String and Vitso are good, modular shelving and drawer units.

We've had wardrobes and bookshelves custom built. Spendy but they're there forever. Fine for us in this house, because we'll get at least 20 years use out of them. A good cabinet maker might be worth hiring?

Ercol is good - I've inherited some from my mum, but I think the same styles are still made. I am a bit suspicious of a lot of 'vintage' furnture - too often I've checked the back of desks and the like and they've been patched up with chipboard. But I'm sure there are great things out there, it's just I don't know how to track them down and verify them. So I'd rather buy new.

We're looking to buy a sofa or two over the next year and I find the websites are pretty uninformative about what is actually inside the sofa - hardwood frame, proper spring coils, foam rather than feather cushions, etc. I don't want to spend more than £2.5k and, for that, I want something really good. We'll see!

We had a gorgeous bed made by these people: g.co/kgs/r9Prch Took ages to arrive but I was so impressed when it did. Beautifully made, completely solid. Even the slats were hardwood. Yes it was expensive but it'll last more than a lifetime.

I buy good quality second hand.
Any scuffs and scrapes are fine as I don't like a too picture perfect environment.

Pic attached

@Ryannah

It’s crap quality because you are buying cheap furniture. Even 3-4 times IKEA prices is still cheap compared to what it would cost for a craftsman to make furniture out of sustainably grown solid wood. People don’t want to pay the prices for quality furniture.

No, not quite

Good quality quality mid range disappeared in favour of the very cheap or expensive artisan. Same as clothes. Hopefully it will change.

It's silly to think that everyone could pay for artisan furniture, they never could.

Hopefully the mid range will come back. In the meantime 2nd hand is your best bet.

@Whatnopeas that is beautiful!

@Whatnopeas- that is absolutely beautiful.

@RedWingBoots

Firstly look for second hand pieces.

So it's auctions including auction sites and charity shops.

Then see if you can find small independent retailers/crafts people online or if you are lucky in an actual shop.

My chests of draws and TV cabinet aren't particle board but I bought them over a decade ago now in an independent retailers shop.

Other stuff I have that are wood e.g. side tables I bought second hand.

Though my sofa is cheap as I had difficulty finding one that could fit through my hall.

…chests of drawers…

We live in a throw away society, where, according to a recent thread, people change their living room furniture every 2-3 years.

I hope the current focussing on both the environment and climate change will start to change this attitude, and people will buy stuff to last, like they used to.