Is your furniture the real deal? How to navigate misleading furniture labels

In a world of flat-packed and mass-produced, how do you know if your new furniture is made from the real deal?

Before navigating a market flooded with fake wood and faux fabrics, consider the following expert tips and buy with confidence.

How to recognise real timber

“As makers we have the opportunity to use a variety of beautiful hardwoods,” says designer Nathan Day. “Australian timbers like jarrah and blackwood, and North American species like oak and walnut are classics. People love them because they machine beautifully, are stable, and age gracefully.”

Designer Karl Young from Saltwood Designs uses solid timbers that are sustainably sourced and recycled. “There is demand for furniture made from existing pieces of the house. I’ve made vanities and tables from old roof timbers!”

While 100 per cent timbers are readily available in various guises, Day has noted an increase in man-made versions. “Reconstituted timber products, plastics and other materials are creeping into the market. They are processed to look like wood with stains, which is meant to make them look expensive.”

Despite the inferiority of laminates and particle boards, Young maintains that they do serve a purpose. “The substrate may not be a sustainable one, but in using veneers you are cutting down less trees, and if done right they will still last and look beautiful.”

Here’s how to know if the furniture you’re buying is 100 per cent timber.

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Origin

Check the material’s origin and buy from someone who represents trusted design brands. “Ask them to point out differences in quality in material, construction and finish,” says Day, “and avoid replicas. They are nothing more than a cheap imitations.”

Meet the maker

“Find out their values,” says Young. “They should understand your needs and as the client, be involved from the very beginning – from design through to finished product.”

Weight and firmness

Consider the product’s weight and press your nail into its surface to gauge denseness, before comparing your findings with authentic wood species.

Grain colour  

If the colour of the wood isn’t natural or stained, it may not be 100 per cent genuine.

Price

“You get what you pay for,” says Day. “Quality generally costs more.”

Patina

Check for surface colour. Most woods turn a shade of gray, darken, become redder or lose colour, if exposed to the elements.

Grain lines

Grain lines should run consistently over the edge of the table. If they don’t, it could be veneer imitating timber.

End grain

Check for growth rings formed by the yearly growth of a tree. They are difficult to properly replicate.

How to recognise natural fabrics

When it comes to soft furnishings, plant-based fabrics like cotton and linen, and animal fibres like silk and wool are the most coveted. They look expensive, offer breathability, natural temperature regulation and superior durability.

“Fabric choice comes down to its end purpose – colour, pattern, texture and budget,” says Sarah Elshaug from Maitland Interiors. “By starting with the end-in-mind we ensure the fabric is fit for purpose and durable.”

Polyester blends masquerading as linen are the most common misrepresented fabric says Elshaug. “Using a synthetic means you are sacrificing on comfort and that luxurious feel of a natural fabric.”

Elshaug says while inferior, cheaper blends do have their place. “They offer stain resistance and colour fastness, so in a family home, opting for a sofa covered in polyester blend fabric will ensure longevity. To the untrained eye it can be hard to tell which fabric is what when looking at it,” says Elshaug.

Need-to-knows when purchasing natural fabrics:

The burn test

“Find a safe spot outside or in your laundry trough where you can burn a section of fabric,” she says. “When you burn a fabric and it turns to powder, it’s natural. If it melts and beads up like plastic with a sweet odour, then it’s synthetic.”

Feel and weight

“Gauge weight, quality and content,” she says. “I pay attention to how a fabric feels in my hand or moves when I give it a shake. Not only does it help determine its authenticity, it also tells me how it will behave.”

Australian standards

“Fabrics sourced from a reputable show room will have a data sheet specifying its composition and testing that has been done to meet Australian standards,” she says. “Sight this documentation and if you’re not satisfied, move on. With a global economy, we are spoilt for choice and can source beautifully made fabrics from around the world.”