How To Make Your Furniture Last Longer

One of the key questions we get from our customers is the durability of our furniture. While quality plays a huge factor in how long furniture can last, even the best quality set needs occasional maintenance to keep it looking and functioning at it's best! 

1. Tighten all the screws and bolts

No matter how valuable and old a piece of furniture is, wood and metal require an extra step of maintenance every few months. Over time, its screws can easily get rusted and loose just from daily use, especially for high traffic furniture like beds and dining chairs. 

The screws and bolts used in the furniture loosen with time. If they're not tightened, eventually the joints may end up getting so loose that they bend, crack or break.

Wobbly and creaky furniture are alarming, and if ignored for too long you could end up with permanent damage.

Luckily, all our furniture comes with easy assembly and all the tools required. Keep the screws and keys included with the bolts and screws in your furniture box and use them to tighten the joints! 

2. Add non-slip pads underneath legs

Have hardwood floors? You've probably had to reposition your furniture frequently. No matter how carefully you use them, or stop your kids and pets from jumping on the furniture, they always seem to slide out of place.

This is especially problematic with beds, as there usually is a centre support bar that has at least 2 legs in the middle. If your floor is slippery, over time the legs will keep sliding until they slide enough that they break off the centre support bar. Depending on your bed frame, that could cause the entire platform to break. Not to mention the scratches and dents it could cause on your hardwood floors! 

Adding any non-slip pad, rubber stops, or felt pads, help create enough friction that prevents sliding. A carpet will also do, if you prefer to have a carpet underneath your dining table or bed!

3. Add L-bracket reinforcements

An L-Bracket is a type of metal brace that can help reinforce right angles. They are available in different sizes and have options for how it reinforces. You can use an L Bracket on a corner or in other areas. You can also use an L Bracket if you need to connect two pieces of wood or steel. Most L Brackets are made of steel or aluminum.

These are great accessories that can further strengthen the corners of your furniture, like bunk beds, storage beds and other heavy furniture. 

4. Keep it clean

As with any surface, dust accumulates over time and can be especially problematic on fabric upholstery like sofas and beds. If not cleaned off, they can harden and solidify, permanently merging with the fibres, resulting in fabric discolouration and deterioration. 

Wood and glass surfaces are easiest to clean, a simple wipe with the appropriate cleaner every few days will keep the surface top shiny and looking just as good as the day you got it!

For fabric beds and sofas, there are many types of fabric handheld vacuums that have soft brush heads that scoop up dust and dirt without pulling the fibres. 

5. Avoid too much humidity in the atmosphere

A poor balance of humidity in your home has the potential to destroy your wood furniture. Since wood is a natural source, it is susceptible to extreme weather like direct sunlight, moist/humid atmosphere, and even extreme dry weather.

When exposed to an excessive amount of humidity, the wood furniture can expand and begin to deteriorate. This can be especially problematic on high humidity summer days or having a humidifier very close.

A dehumidifier is a great solution for those humid summer months to keep the wood lubricated but not too moist so it doesn't bubble or cause mold build up. 

In dry winter weather, when the air lacks humidity, a wood oil or polish creates a protective coat on your wood pieces to protect them. Using a humidifier with an automatic control system is another way to ensure your home doesn’t become dry. The automatic control system will adjust itself to ensure an optimal level of humidity. The general rule of thumb is not to exceed or be below about 50% humidity.

Since furniture is can be so expensive, we do everything possible to avoid breaking/spoiling it. It is something that is used most of the time and more than anything else in the house, thus it is bound to face wear and tear. These 5 tips will help you keep all your beloved furniture looking fresh and brand new!