Why We Only Source High Quality Furnishings For Our Interior Design Projects
As a full service interior design form that specializes in new construction and renovation projects, we work with clients who value quality, durability, and longevity ← insert here what your clients value over finding the lowest price available.
When designing spaces for our clients, we think of furniture as the MVP of your living space. It’s not just a big-ticket item in your interior design budget, it’s the key to bringing the whole space together (marrying your home’s architectural details and hard finishes with the items you place inside each room).
But, it’s not all about looks. While aesthetics are crucial, understanding the materials and fabrication techniques behind each piece are even more important. As a full service interior designer with years of experience, we've learned a key lesson:
When it comes to furniture, you get what you pay for. And we’re of the opinion that our clients should only buy furniture once and we want our clients to have furniture that withstands the test of time.
The Real Difference Between High-Quality vs. Low Quality Furniture
You wouldn’t swap out your bedding or bath towels every year, right? (Well, you would if you bought low quality ones that started to fall apart after just one season!) ← designer, use examples here that are relevant to your clientele - what would be something they would never swap out - their designer handbags, their designer jeans, their artwork, their appliances, tailored suits, favorite heels, car - something they already invest in where they absolutely prioritize quality). And you certainly wouldn’t choose a [insert here] based on who has the lowest price, because when you’re looking for a [insert], you definitely don’t want to go cheap. ← designer, include examples here that would be relevant to your clientele (example: preschool, pediatrician, masseuse, aesthetician, hair stylist, nanny, lawyer, doctor, surgeon, CPA, landscape designer, contractor, etc.)
Why settle for furniture that can’t go the distance when it’s something you will use and see every single day? While I won’t dive into the data behind how your home environment can positively impact your mental health and well being ← designer, remove this if you don’t believe this or use this type of language in your marketing, your furniture has to be tough enough to take a beating ← designer, enter language here your ideal client would use “durable enough” “rock solid enough” “from kids, dogs, and husbands” and still look [adjective to describe how your clients want their furniture to look] ← designer, use language here your clients would say “drop dead gorgeous” “pristine” “new as the day it arrived” “fresh” “nice” “high end”, etc..
Here’s why investing in high quality furniture when you work with an interior designer is [worth it]← designer, insert language here your ideal client would use, “worth it”, “worth every penny”, “key to having that elevated look you want”, “step one to achieving that magazine worthy look you crave”.
Note: you can certainly pay a high price for low quality furniture (we won’t name names) but when you work with our interior design team, you can rest assured knowing we only source from a carefully vetted list of high quality vendors that stand behind their products. ← designer, add in here how you curate your vendor list and source from top quality vendors, you can also include that you know exactly what pieces to splurge on and what to save on, where quality matters and where it’s okay to go with a lower quality piece, etc.
What Interior Designers Look For When Sourcing High Quality Upholstered Furniture
Sure, those budget-friendly pieces from [box retail store here where your clients may shop] or [box retail store #2 where your clients may shop] might catch your eye with their stylish looks and wallet-friendly pricing. But, the difference in quality will be apparent in no time. (or: But give it time, and the true colors of low quality furniture will show ← designer, what is their fear about low quality furniture? That it looks cheap, that it falls apart, that they’ll have to replace it? Use that phrase. Example: But give it time and it will be sagging and pilled and bringing the whole vibe down. OR, But give it time and you’ll be calling in a reupholsterer and paying top dollar to have it fixed, OR but give it time and you’ll avoid that piece like the plague because it’s so uncomfortable OR but give it a few months and every time you look at that piece your back will start to hurt. Here’s what we look for that makes all the difference between high quality upholstered pieces and low quality upholstered pieces:
Frame Construction: The best frames are like the bones of your house: CRITICAL. When sourcing high quality pieces for our clients, we look for kiln-dried hardwood frames that are built to last and provide a solid base. Budget buys? Not so much.They often use cardboard or plywood frames, which can sag, warp, and deteriorate quickly.
Cushion Construction: High quality furniture uses high-resilient polyurethane foam wrapped in dacron or down for long-lasting comfort and [lazy days of lounging/watching the game/reading] OR [is the perfect backdrop for relaxing with a good book,/socializing with your friends/enjoying an at home date night while the little ones are in bed]. Budget furniture may use low-density foam that quickly loses its shape and feels like [knives in your back/lumpy potatoes/your grandma’s mattress from the early 80’s/you’re sitting in the waiting room of your dentist/your kids must have poured legos into the cushions because there is no other way this could feel so horrible]. ← designer paint some pictures here that describe what your ideal client desires to do in their beautiful new space and conversely, how it would feel if their furniture were cheap and uncomfortable
Spring Support: High-end pieces have coil or zigzag springs for firm support, whereas budget pieces often skip metal springs altogether. ← designer, include here WHY they may want springs (more durable, better support, etc)
Fabric Quality: Quality fabrics have high thread counts and dense stitching, resisting wear and tear better than lower-grade materials which quickly fade, pill, and tear. Our favorite most durable fabrics are [insert a few of your faves].
What Interior Designers Look For When Sourcing High Quality Case Goods and Occasional Pieces
Case goods and occasional pieces include storage pieces like bookcases, cabinets, and tables, which require practicality and aesthetic appeal. The craftsmanship of these pieces significantly impacts their durability.
Here’s what we look for that makes all the difference between a high quality case good and a low quality one:
Joinery: The highest quality pieces have rock solid joinery, like dovetail joints that are in it for the long haul. Whereas budget pieces often use glue or are stapled together. Which do you think holds up better against [insert what their case goods needs to stand up against: daily meals, kids who spill, stacks and stacks of books, overstuffed drawers, etc.]
Hardware: High-quality hardware prevents sagging and ensures a smooth opening of doors and drawers.
Finishing: A high quality finish resists scratches and wear, so your pieces look new for longer.
The Long Term Benefits of Investing in Quality Furniture
When you invest in high quality furniture you ensure your pieces will look and function like new for years to come. High-quality furniture stands up to daily use, moves, and the test of time ←designer, personalize this with what they need their furniture to stand up to. Examples: hosting family and friends, dogs who think they own the place, busy toddlers, teenagers who treat their furniture like a launch pad, the action of a busy, happy home, a lifetime of memories. While the initial cost may be higher, the long-term benefits and durability make it a wise investment. Remember, when it comes to furniture, invest in quality, take care of it, and enjoy it forever. [As the saying goes “Buy nice or buy it twice”] OR [As famous interior designer Miles Redd said, “Buy the best and only cry once.” ← designer, use a quote that you often say when you’re talking to clients about investing in furnishings.
If you have to replace your sofa or dining table every few years, did you really save?
By choosing high quality over low quality options, you’re not just furnishing a space—you’re signing up for years of style and function. Yes, the initial price might be a bit more, but the lifetime of benefits and durability? Priceless.
Remember, in the world of furniture, you get exactly what you pay for.
Ready to upgrade/elevate/transform your space? Fill out a Project Inquiry Form today. ← designer link your contact page link
