Wood furniture is a timeless classic that fits well in nearly any home. Whether you’re furnishing your first apartment or finally replacing some pieces you’ve carried with you for years, you’d be well advised to consider adding a quality piece of wood furniture to your collection. Learn how to buy quality wood furniture for your home in this article.

Know Your Wood

The first thing to know when shopping for wood furniture is that there are a variety of wood types out there, and the type of wood you choose will factor into the quality of the piece. The three main types of wood are solid wood, veneer, and particle board.

Solid Wood

Solid wood is made completely of natural wood and is the most durable, highest quality option. For this reason, it’s also the most expensive type.

Veneer

Veneer, sometimes called engineered wood, is made of a cheaper, manmade wood covered in a high quality upper layer of real wood veneer. Veneer wood has the appearance of solid wood but is less expensive due to its cheaper inner composition.

Particle Board

Particle board is made of small particles of wood and resin, sometimes coated in veneer, and is the cheapest option one could get. Because it is the lowest quality, it doesn’t last for more than a few years.

In addition to deciding on a type of wood, you will also need to consider the type of tree from which the wood is made since this will further determine the appearance and durability of the piece.

Examine the Construction

Next, examine the construction of the piece. Always check the joints of the furniture—are the separate pieces held together flimsily with glue or staples, or with a sturdy joint such as a dovetail joint? Check any hardware, like screws, that hold the wood together, and ensure their quality. Doing so will help you ensure that the piece will last for a long time.

Consider the Finish

While examining the construction, you should also examine the finish. Check that the furniture has been properly sanded and that the finish is complete, smooth, and expertly applied. The finish both impacts the appearance of the piece and how well it’s protected, so it’s important to consider. One furniture buying mistake that people often make is forgetting to consider how well a piece will fit with the style of their home. So, be sure to consider how the finish of the piece will fit with other pieces in your home.

Knowing how to buy quality wood furniture for your home will help you to invest in beautiful, sturdy, long lasting furniture that won’t need to be replaced down the line. Plus, quality wood furniture is widely available if you know where to look! Get started on your search for the perfect wood piece by checking out local thrift shops, estate sales, or furniture shops.

Beautiful public spaces are important to cities big and small. The super tall skyscrapers and bustling city streets on the island of Manhattan encircle Central Park, arguably America’s most famous park. The motto of the city of Chicago is Urbs in Horto, or “city in a garden.” Taking cues from their namesakes across the pond, dozens of New England towns are built around their village greens.

Smaller communities can benefit from well-maintained parks as well. With attractive and functional parks, cities can encourage residents, especially young people, to enjoy the great outdoors and take pride in what their communities have to offer. Consider presenting some of these ways cities can improve their parks to your local decision-makers.

Keep Playing Fields Maintained

There’s a certain sadness that comes from seeing an overgrown baseball diamond. It’s harder to beat out a throw to first with weeds growing through the basepath, and it symbolizes a certain neglect that can dissuade people from using the field. Cities should keep playing surfaces in playable condition. They can maintain the dirt on a diamond, mow the grass for soccer, or patch up cracks and wear on tennis courts.

Replace or Upgrade Fencing

Fences are important to define a park’s borders. The best fences marry form and function—they should serve their purpose to set off boundaries, but if a park is a local point of pride, the fencing stock should reflect that as well. Parks can benefit from fences as an aesthetic accent. If a cyclone fence displays wear after years of use, consider replacing it with a wrought iron fence that does the same job, but with clean lines and attractive ornamentation.

Make Trash Receptacles Available

Nobody likes littering. However, when people can’t find a garbage can, they may toss their garbage aside and let someone else worry about it. Outfit all public parks with garbage bins that are easy to find—this way, park users won’t face the temptation to litter.

Get the Community Involved

No one knows what the public wants for its parks better than the public itself. Solicit community involvement in exploring ways the city can improve its parks. Propose an open forum where residents can express their concerns and aspirations for their public spaces. If members of the community feel they have a stake in their parks, they’ll be sure to take pride in them.