People spend about 1/3 of their day in bed, so you should invest in a quality one that will last a long time.
When shopping for a new bed, whether new or antique, there are certain characteristics that define high quality.
photo courtesy of Mazzali flickr.com/photos/mazzali/3874381870/Kiln Dried
When selecting a wood bed, make sure the wood is kiln dried.
This means that all of the moisture has been removed from the wood in order to make it as strong as possible.
Grain Match
Make sure the wood grain matches on similar pieces of the bed.
If there is a seam down the middle of the headboard, the left and right side should be mirror images of each other.
Wood Stain
The wood stain should not have any drips or inconsistencies.
Make sure the stain on the bed does not have any scratches.
No MDF
There should not be any MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) used anywhere.
High density fiberboard is a good option in high humidity areas.
Good Joints
The construction of the bed should use dovetails, dowels, glue&screws, or other sturdy construction techniques.
There should not be any butt joints or staples used.
No Squeaking or Twisting
Try pushing and tugging on the bed.
It should not give easily, twist, or squeak at all.
If inspecting an antique bed, see if there are any adjustments than can be made to make it more sturdy.
Finished on all sides
The underside and back of the bed should have a good finish.
The back of the bed should look as nice as the front of the bed.
The underside should be sanded smooth and should not be rough to the touch.
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