When we make furniture or furnish a home, it is not just the type of wood and varnish that we have to decide on. Any piece of furniture will also have number of fittings that make it functional. In fact, without the fittings all we will have are planks of wood! This is why selecting the right hardware fittings is as important as picking out the right wooden piece.
When it comes to furniture hardware fittings, there are two types of fittings that we find – one visible to the eye, such as knobs and the other are invisible, like hinges and bolts. The invisible pieces hold the furniture together, giving it form, shape and function. The visible pieces like handles, knobs and hangers are equally important, adding to its functionality.
This means that we must pay attention to the fittings we pick up for our furnishings. Usually, these decisions are left to the carpenter or the agent who is putting everything together. But it is worth your while to check the details. AT the very least, tick off our box of essential factors when choosing hardware fittings:
Make a list of everything you need: There are a number of things we need when it comes to furniture fittings and its easy to lose track. From hinges, knobs to drawer channels, it is a pretty long list. So, make a list of things according to room and type of furniture. This way you are unlikely to forget anything! Also include a few spares in case any of the pieces come out faulty. Spares are also useful at a later date if some anything gets damaged.
Decide on a decor style: Today everyone has a decor style. Furniture hardware fittings and furnishings are an important part of creating a decor style. Hence, the fittings must also fall into the same category. While some essentials like hinges do not make any difference to the overall look of a room, handles and knobs do matter. Fortunately, we have enough options in furniture hardware fittings to fit into any style.
For instance, for a contemporary look, you can look for steel, chrome or glass fittings. You can also look for steel fittings with different finishings. A modern style will go well with utilitarian look of steel. If you are looking for a more classical style, check out brass or brass finish fittings. Wooden knobs and handles will go equally well.
Check the quality: The quality of furniture fittings is one of the most critical factors in making a selection. You do not want fittings that start coming apart within a year – drawer channels getting unaligned, handles losing their shine or knobs coming off. Not only is it a big hassle, it affects the quality of your entire furniture.
Remember, it is the fittings that make your furniture functional and if that fails, the whole unit fails. Some fittings like drawer channels must be of top quality, since the quality of channels will determine the weight a drawer can carry. The same applies to door fittings like locks and bolts. Investing in quality is essential here for your own security. To check for this you can look for certification like compliance with ISO standards.
Look for guarantees: Even when you buy good quality fittings, the fact is that something may still go wrong. While we recommend that you always keep a few spares in your tool box, it is also wise to look for hardware fittings manufacturers who offer guarantee or a warrantee on their product, especially when it comes to essentials like locks. This will ensure that you can get a replacement in case of damage within the warranty period.
Look for the right material: Investing in the right material is also important, especially if your furniture will be placed in a relatively high corrosive environment like a kitchen. Oil, grease and moisture can dull a most fittings. So, invest in material like steel, which has a high resistance to moisture and grease.
Conclusion
Furniture hardware fittings may seem like small and of no great importance, but these are the invisible and visible hands that hold the furniture together and makes it functional. So, take some time and pay attention to what you buy. Check the quality, material, warrantees and then pick the one that matches your style.