Whatever look you’re trying to create, our furniture care guide will help you to choose the most suitable furniture for your home. Below, we’ve tried to give you an insight into the different types of material available, as well as how to care for your furniture once it’s been delivered. You’ll also find out more about the various wood finishes available and the benefits of each.
Choosing Your Furniture
When choosing your new furniture, it’s important to appreciate that each range of furniture has its own characteristics; with different materials, finishes, colours and textures making each collection unique.
Materials:
- Wood – Every piece of wooden furniture is different and no two pieces of furniture are the same. Wood’s natural characteristics differ in colour, grain and depth. Our stores showcase a variety of woods including oak, pine and reclaimed wood.
- Veneer – Veneers are usually fashioned from the same wood source as the furniture itself, and are thin pieces of wood that are added to the furniture’s structure to provide a more consistent finish and grain.
- Glass – Providing a modern look, glass is very adaptable to any room interior. Glass is very easy to maintain and will not fade or tarnish over time. We have several ranges of dining room furniture that feature glass table tops.
- Metal – Metal furniture is durable, resilient, and it’s built to last. Very little maintenance is required as metal is naturally stain-resistant. Metal can be cast into a variety of shapes which means there’s plenty of choice.
Finish Types:
- Lacquered – A lacquered coat offers hard wearing protection from scratches, moisture and heat, and also provides the furniture with a glossy finish. Little maintenance is required: simply dust regularly with a dry cloth.
- Waxed – A wax finish provides light protection to your furniture. We recommend that your furniture is re-waxed as per the manufacturer’s care guidelines.
- Oiled – A light oil finish will preserve the wood and enhance its natural characteristics and appearance. We recommend using a lint-free cloth to wipe your furniture with oil every six months to maintain its natural form.
- Untreated – Untreated wood showcases the material in its most natural form. Without protection, unfinished furniture is more susceptible to staining. We recommend that you regularly dust your furniture with a damp cloth.
- Painted – A painted finish will provide your furniture with a good degree of protection. Dust regularly with a slightly damp cloth. Make sure water spots aren’t left as this could permanently stain the furniture.
Caring For Your Furniture
When you receive delivery of your furniture:
- Carefully follow any instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- Never drag or push furniture, always carefully lift it to avoid any damage to the supporting legs or your floor. Please note: never lift glass tables by their tops.
- Don’t place your furniture in direct sunlight or next to heat sources such as radiators. Extreme temperatures will cause timber movement and cracking.
- Leave gaps behind units to allow air to circulate.
- To protect your floors from heavy furniture, MagiGlide floor protectors are available at an additional price. The glides and cups will also facilitate the movement of your furniture.
Prolonging the life of your furniture:
- Avoid changes in humidity.
- We recommend that you check the fixtures and fittings on your furniture. You may need to tighten bolts from time to time.
- Wood colour will mature with exposure to light, therefore we advise you to move ornaments regularly to avoid noticeable colour differences.
Furniture Care Guide and Maintenance
- Never use chemicals or abrasive materials to clean your furniture. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guide.
- Gently dust your furniture regularly with a cloth.
- Fabric dining chair seat pads can be lightly vacuumed or gently brushed.
- Marks can be removed with a clean, damp cloth. Never use detergents or an excessive amount of water.
- Use place mats to protect the surface of your furniture.
- Only use oil kits that are approved and offered to you by our salesmen. These will be supplied by the manufacturers specifically suited to their furniture.
- Assume that all wooden furniture is not heat and water resistant.
For more advice on our furniture care guide, speak to your salesman or our office.