What Is Fine Furniture? An Essential Guide
If you have been in the market for high quality furniture, you have likely come across the phrase “fine furniture.” The term is used in a broad sense by many retailers and furniture makers, so it can be hard to determine what furniture is “really” fine furniture and which is just an overpriced piece best left in the shop. What is fine furniture, exactly? Let’s take a closer look at how fine furniture is defined and what to look for when you are searching for fine furniture.
The Fine Furniture Difference
The definition of fine furniture is not expensive furniture, although many people assume that all expensive furniture is fine furniture–and that all fine furniture is expensive. However, fine furniture is not necessarily determined by price, but by workmanship. Fine furniture is supposed to last for a lifetime, not just a few years or even a decade or so; fine furniture is furniture that can be passed down from generation to generation thanks to is durability and the high quality of its craftsmanship.
Fine furniture must also be aesthetically valuable. This doesn’t necessarily mean the furniture has to look “nice” to every eye, but that the furniture should be construction with aesthetics in mind. For example, fine furniture will be designed with certain dimensions and details in mind; these details will not only add to the piece’s functionality but to its overall look as well.
What else does furniture need in order to be deemed “fine”? Let’s take an even closer look at some of the more specific characteristics that set fine furniture apart from ordinary pieces.
Fine Furniture Materials
Fine Furniture Materials can include a plethora of precious woods.
As I mentioned, fine furniture is meant to last for a lifetime. This means that cheap materials, such as particle board, are completely out of the question. Fine furniture needs to be made with hardy, durable materials that are capable of withstanding decades and decades of use. Sturdy woods and well-designed joints, nails, screws, etc., are all essential to the creation of fine furniture.
Fine Furniture Design
It was already explored that fine furniture needs to be aesthetically pleasing, but every element of the design is crucial in the determination of what counts as fine furniture. Fine furniture typically has a classical design based on historic styles that have been deemed timeless and true for furniture craftsman across the world. While a modernly styled piece of furniture can be durable and very high quality, it is typically not lumped in as “fine furniture” because it has a contemporary, rather than a historical, look.
Certain Fine Furniture brands, like Kittinger, Stickley and Baker, pride themselves on using museum pieces to guide their creations. Of course, all of these brands may modify the patterns or styles for modern usage. Exact replicas typically have the highest price tags.
Fine Furniture Makers
Above all, fine furniture is not mass produced. Fine furniture is not made in factories or put together piece by piece by an assembly line of people who don’t know anything about furniture craftsmanship. Fine furniture is handmade by experienced artisans who know how to create long lasting, stunning furniture that is going to last for generations and perhaps even beyond.
If you are interested in buying fine furniture, make sure that you keep the above valuable information in mind.
Fine Furniture For Sale
Fine Furniture Companies, like Baker Furniture, Kittinger Furniture, Statton Furniture, Henkel Harris Furniture and the like, made incredible reproduction furniture for many years. Find the best fine furniture for sale here on our pages. We regularly feature sellers across the country who collect the best furniture made in America!