How to Judge Living Room Furniture Quality

Hold up a fabric swatch from the upholstered furniture to the light. If the store doesn't provide these, look for a piece of fabric that covers the arm. If you can see through the fabric while holding it up against a light, it is not compactly woven and may not endure much wear and tear.

Pull on both ends of the fabric swatch. If it stretches and then regains it shape, it will do the same on your furniture, thus preventing wrinkling after someone sits on the sofa or chair.

Rub an emery board across the fabric swatch 20 or 30 times. It the color rubs off or fades, it is probably a printed pigment fabric. This type of fabric shows abrasion over time.

Read the label on the furniture. It lists durability, fabric quality and the directions on how to clean and maintain the fabric. If you have small children or pets, a high-maintenance or delicate fabric is not the best choice.

Look at the upholstered furniture to ensure that all the seams match and that there are no stains, rips or tears. If it has a plush texture -- such as velvet -- check that the pile runs in the same direction.

Wiggle the furniture along the back frame of the furniture and around the arm areas. There should be very little movement if it is a quality frame.

Lift up the sofa at the front corner of the arm. Ask a friend to hold down the opposing corner. If the sofa twists, it is not well made.

Check the frame underneath the dust cover near the leg of the furniture -- the salesperson may do this for you. Check for joints that are tightly glued, screwed or stapled into place. The presence of corner blocks adds strength to the furniture.

Feel the padding on different areas of the furniture. You should not feel sharp or hard edges. If you do, this means the manufacturer did not pad the furniture well.

Unzip one of the seat cushions in order to inspect the materials inside. Quality cushions have foam inserts covered in muslin, a non-woven case or polyester batting.

Sit on the furniture to judge the spring quality. Springs should be evenly spaced and equally resistant to pressure.

Listen for squeaks when you sit down on the sofa or chairs. Quality furniture does not squeak.

Talk to the salesperson about the furniture frame. Kiln-dried frames last longer and they don't warp, crack or weaken as quickly as other frames, according to the Bankrate website.

Pull out the top drawer on the end table. Feel the interior. If it is rough, it is not a superior piece.

Look at the veneer on top of coffee tables and in the corners of your end tables. Choice wood furniture manufacturers take care to match the veneer carefully.

Ask if the accessory pieces, such as end and coffee tables, are crafted of solid wood. Some manufacturers apply a thin veneer over plywood or a lesser quality wood.

Read the warranty on the furniture. Superior furniture has at least a one-year warranty and often up to five years.