Woodworking is a craft. It’s an art. Most homeowners want beautiful displays of wood craftsmanship in their homes. How do you know if you’re buying quality? Well, most furniture has a purpose. But when a piece of high-end residential furniture goes beyond function and into beauty, that’s when you know you’re on your way. Each person has their own way of deciding if they like a case good or not. There are some important factors to consider:
Do I want dovetail construction? Dovetail joinery is considered a high-end manufacturing method that looks at first glance like a checkerboard. It is usually indicative of quality.
Am I looking for an economical buy? If this is important, consider furniture pieces that look beautiful but may not have attributes like solid components or fancy inlays. You can still find very high-quality items without all the bells and whistles.
Do I need a full extension? A drawer trait that is being used in a lot of kitchens these days can now be found in case goods. Look for drawers that open all the way out, with no space at the back. Note that this feature will likely add to the cost.
Does finish matter? If you like a more contemporary style, you may want to reconsider going with a very “grained” wood or a glossy finish. If you’re more of a traditionalist, perhaps you might look for those attributes rather than shying away from them.
Does color matter? Color is very important, especially if you’re using pieces, not in a “set.” Bear in mind that either keeping with a close color finish or a very different color finish will have the best outcome. Try to avoid woods that “almost” match.