Furniture?

[luvmy3]

Wow! That's horrible, sorry you are going through that. I found a bed I liked from them that was inexpensive(cheap) and it seemed to good to be true. I wasn't sold on it and was afraid it was cheaply built as well. I think I will keep looking.

I hope you can get everything straightened out and it all works in your favor.

Just an FYI, Ashley does have different price levels depending on quality.

I just purchased a new dresser and chest of drawers and I couldn't be happier with the quality (we went with best). Granted they are brand new so only time will tell, but they are solid pieces, cedar drawer bottoms, metal slides (I know things can go wrong with them but I prefer them over the wood center slide). No MDF, all wood construction.
In my search I found horrible reviews for quality for pretty much every furniture manufacturer, even Thomasville and Ethan Allen who were my first choices. I looked at local dealers who made their own, but unfortunately they were more than I was willing to spend. If I could, I'd furnish my entire home with Stickley but until I win the lottery I'll have to settle for Ashley

 

[leanneintexas]

If you are looking for leather furniture, check out Costco.

totally Agree with this. Not just leather but all their furniture is great. We have bought so many pieces from them and all of it has held up wonderfully.

A few years ago we were eyeing a really nice leather sectional from a specialty leather store here in DFW. it was so expensive $6K. One day I was surfing Costco site and came across a set that looked just like it. Called Costco, asked for the dimensions and the manufacturer and it was the EXACT same couch/maker etc except it was only $3K, half the price!

This is the only thing we bought though from the website, our other pieces we bought directly in the store when they do their furniture showcases. I think they do this a couple times a year. Their bunk beds and children's furniture is great and Pottery Barn like for less than half the cost.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Wow! That's horrible, sorry you are going through that. I found a bed I liked from them that was inexpensive(cheap) and it seemed to good to be true. I wasn't sold on it and was afraid it was cheaply built as well. I think I will keep looking.

I hope you can get everything straightened out and it all works in your favor.

Thanks. Like I said, they were here Friday and our bed is fixed, and hopefully with the redesign it will last. I mean the furniture is pretty, but it isn't like my old bedroom set which was 30 years old (from my first, very brief, marriage) and solid pine. DH was tired of having his underwear in the same place as my ex LOL. Even though DH has used it for longer then ex ever did...LOL.

Do you have any local stores that sell oak furniture or all solid wood? That will be the way I go next time! Good luck and tell us how it works out.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Just an FYI, Ashley does have different price levels depending on quality.

I just purchased a new dresser and chest of drawers and I couldn't be happier with the quality (we went with best). Granted they are brand new so only time will tell, but they are solid pieces, cedar drawer bottoms, metal slides (I know things can go wrong with them but I prefer them over the wood center slide). No MDF, all wood construction.
In my search I found horrible reviews for quality for pretty much every furniture manufacturer, even Thomasville and Ethan Allen who were my first choices. I looked at local dealers who made their own, but unfortunately they were more than I was willing to spend. If I could, I'd furnish my entire home with Stickley but until I win the lottery I'll have to settle for Ashley

We didn't go cheap with Ashley. My bedroom set is all wood etc. It might look well made..but it really isn't. DH checked it out and was happy at the time. I look at my old set and am sorry we didn't look around more.

 

[North of Mouse]

Sams Club! Bought our king bedroom set, a desk and two end tables. No problems and all very good quality.

We are getting ready to build a house and will need alot of new furniture. We are looking at Sams Club for our bedroom because we want to change to all contemporary style. We have also been checking out Ikea. The kitchen cabinets have me sold but am wondering about their furniture. Anyone have experience?

I agree with PP stay away from Ashley. We bought a reclining "theater style" sofa and chair. The entire end of the sofa broke-less than two years old. We sold it cheap on Craigslist to get rid of it.

My experience with their "put together yourself" furniture is horrible - very cheap (to me) - will not buy anymore. But, our daughter just furnished her entire kitchen with cabinets from them and absolutely LOVES them. They do seem to be made well and she measured (with a friend) and they fit perfectly and you would never know they built the kitchen to their specifications and needs. My only thought on them is - I absolutely hate contemporary But, I realize it's a personal thing, and no fault of the quality or the nice finished look of the cabinets I also would never tell her that because we have a great relationship, and accept the fact we like different styles and decor

 

[luvmy3]

We didn't go cheap with Ashley. My bedroom set is all wood etc. It might look well made..but it really isn't. DH checked it out and was happy at the time. I look at my old set and am sorry we didn't look around more.

Growing up dh and I each used one of the dressers from our parents' set since they were both divorced we got the hand me downs. When we moved in together we still had them, and used them for years after. This Ashley set we just got is our 2nd set (not from there) of furniture. I wish we never replaced our parents' hand me downs, they were so well built. Unfortunately I think the bigger manufacturers have gone downhill in quality since now alot of furniture is made in China. Even one of the oak furniture places I looked at had some pieces from China, at a very elevated price. They had nice pieces but not much of a selection for styles. If you are looking for basic traditional, shaker or mission they are definitely the way to go.

I think for the most part nowadays, unless you are going for heirloom furniture, at an heirloom price, you are left with disposable stuff because its not going to last a lifetime like it used to. Hopefully the set I just got will last long enough for me to feel I got my money's worth.

 

[ktlm]

Thomasville is expensive, but it is great furniture and will hold up for a long time. Our current couch is over 10 years old. If you have kids, I would suggest adding the furniture protection (or if you can do it yourself, do that). We got the couch years before DD (5) was born, and I can't even tell you how many things she has spilled on it and they have all come out. You can pick your fabric and they will help you pick out ones that are more durable if you have smaller kids. Our family likes our couch so much that after we bought it, by Mom bought the same one, then MIL and FIL bought one, then SIL and BIL bought one. You wouldn't know they were the same couch, because they all have very different fabrics.

 

[Ginny Favers]

I agree that Ashley is cheap.

I am a bit of a furniture snob who buys all their wood furniture from places that hand-make it. I was raised to not skimp there because good, classic furniture can last you decades, while cheap, glued-together stuff can fall apart in a few years.

However, with sofas, I'm different, because I have kids that jump and spill things all over it. I usually go to an Unclaimed Freight place and get something that is sturdy but not so pretty. That way I won't feel bad if I have to get a new one in a couple of years.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Growing up dh and I each used one of the dressers from our parents' set since they were both divorced we got the hand me downs. When we moved in together we still had them, and used them for years after. This Ashley set we just got is our 2nd set (not from there) of furniture. I wish we never replaced our parents' hand me downs, they were so well built. Unfortunately I think the bigger manufacturers have gone downhill in quality since now alot of furniture is made in China. Even one of the oak furniture places I looked at had some pieces from China, at a very elevated price. They had nice pieces but not much of a selection for styles. If you are looking for basic traditional, shaker or mission they are definitely the way to go.

I think for the most part nowadays, unless you are going for heirloom furniture, at an heirloom price, you are left with disposable stuff because its not going to last a lifetime like it used to. Hopefully the set I just got will last long enough for me to feel I got my money's worth.

I totally understand. DH used his grandfathers furniture, and our eldest DS used it, now it is in our youngest DS's bedroom. For style resaons i wold love to change it..but as far as construction...wow you can't beat it. Even my old set, one of our eldest just took one piece for his house. It is colonial which I love. I really loved that set..not happy that DH wanted new..but oh well. I am hoping DS will want the other pices as well.

He also took my moms old kitchen table which is so well made and is older then me! I hope that stays and gets passed down too .

It is sad though that things aren't made to last anymore.

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

Just an FYI, Ashley does have different price levels depending on quality.

I just purchased a new dresser and chest of drawers and I couldn't be happier with the quality (we went with best). Granted they are brand new so only time will tell, but they are solid pieces, cedar drawer bottoms, metal slides (I know things can go wrong with them but I prefer them over the wood center slide). No MDF, all wood construction.
In my search I found horrible reviews for quality for pretty much every furniture manufacturer, even Thomasville and Ethan Allen who were my first choices. I looked at local dealers who made their own, but unfortunately they were more than I was willing to spend. If I could, I'd furnish my entire home with Stickley but until I win the lottery I'll have to settle for Ashley

Thanks! I will keep it on the maybe list and keep looking. I have just started looking at furniture for my bedroom. I have just bought a new living room set that is being delivered today. I'm not in that much of a hurry and it's not a dire need. My current set is in good shape just not my taste any more.

I was afraid all the furniture stores had some bad reviews. I'll just have to keep looking and go with what is affordable and well made. If there is such a thing out there.

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

Thanks. Like I said, they were here Friday and our bed is fixed, and hopefully with the redesign it will last. I mean the furniture is pretty, but it isn't like my old bedroom set which was 30 years old (from my first, very brief, marriage) and solid pine. DH was tired of having his underwear in the same place as my ex LOL. Even though DH has used it for longer then ex ever did...LOL.

Do you have any local stores that sell oak furniture or all solid wood? That will be the way I go next time! Good luck and tell us how it works out.

It's funny that you mentioned all wood furniture, my current bed is a pine sleigh bed. I have had it for 17 years! It is still holding up well but not as pretty as it once was. I had it stained a lighter stain color. The scratches and bemishes it has taken over the years are starting to show. I also had a puppy that liked to chew and my bed was her favorite chew toy. It's not noticable when the bed is made up but I know it's there. My taste has changed and I want something of a darker finish now. I looked into getting my bed fixed and refinished, it would cost me more than what the bed originally cost. That's not including the other pieces either. I will have to look into a new all wood set. It may be cheaper than refinishing and I know it will last. Just hope my taste doesn't change again!

 

[JennyWren]

Most furniture that is on the market today is disposable, its just a fact of modern life. If it holds up 10 years you are lucky.

My father was a furniture repair man for 30 years and he says La-Z-Boys are best for stationary furniture, but if you want a recliner go with a catnapper.

I'm an antique dealer so my opinion is that if you want something that is going to last, buy a high quality antique couch frame and have it upholstered to suit your taste...Just my two cents.

 

[dyna]

Lane funiture down here in FL advertises on their commerical on TV LIFETIME WARRENTY my question with that is the life of the product or my lifetime LOL

I'm needing some furniture soon but I might check out the Goodwill an Salvation Army I've had pretty good luck with them over the years It's nice to see how a piece of furniture has held up over a few yrs. And if I only get 5 or 10 yrs out of it well that is fine I did not spend an arm an leg for it. OF course I always clean the furniture before using.

While I will buy a used sofa I will not buy a used mattress an box springs.