The Best Furniture Hardware

Furniture purchasing can be a process. You go to a local furniture store and choose a piece, then load it up on a truck and take it home. You can alternatively pay a shop to deliver your furniture items to you, but that brings an extra fee with it.

In recent years, though, that process has become easier. Thanks to retailers like IKEA and the growth of online shopping, retailers have found value in ready-to-assemble furniture. This type of furniture comes in a flat-pack box with the hardware necessary to put it together. You either pick it up at the store or have it shipped to you, then remove it from the box to assemble in your home.

But ready-to-assemble furniture isn’t without its challenges. Anyone who’s ever spent an afternoon with tough-to-decipher instructions and parts simply labeled “A,” B,” “C,” etc., knows that all too well. It can be frustrating to get midway through putting an item together, only to find a part is missing.

Replacement parts can help save the day. You can now buy hardware that goes with a variety of furniture items, even specialized pieces. But missing hardware isn’t the only reason to purchase furniture hardware. Some home assemblers find that the pieces that come with ready-to-assemble furniture aren’t quite the quality they prefer. For a long-lasting option, furniture hardware that’s built to hold up over the years can be a big help.

One consideration when choosing furniture hardware is moisture resistance. Some feature coating that will resist corrosion. If you live in an area with high humidity, or you’re assembling furniture for a bathroom, this is something to consider. The hardware that came with your furniture might not be designed for wetter climates, so you could find that your furniture becomes less stable over time.

• Ready-to-assemble furniture can help save you money. You’ll not only avoid delivery fees, but you’ll also be able to shop around to get the best prices. If you’re patient, you might be able to even get free shipping, especially during big holiday sales.
• You can find easy-to-apply hardware that will protect your surfaces. Those include caps and felt for the bottoms of chairs that will safeguard your floors.
• You can’t go wrong with a kit that has a variety of hardware types included. This will ensure you’re always prepared to make a quick repair when something breaks in your house. Also, make sure you have some basic tools, including a screwdriver and a hammer.
• You’ll need a container to store all your furniture hardware in, especially if you work with wood frequently. Some hardware already comes in a plastic case, but you might also want to invest in a larger storage kit that will hold all your screws, nuts and bolts.
• Don’t forget to consider visual appeal; you can find hardware that will dress up your home’s cabinetry and other furniture. That can include crystal knobs and stainless-steel handles. Consider the overall look you’re going for when purchasing hardware for your cabinets and furniture.
• Keep in mind that if you need a specialized type of hardware, there might be a backlog. Plan ahead to avoid delays in setting up your new furniture.
• If you’re doing a complete remodel, you’ll need to consider all the parts you need to put your cabinetry together. This can involve some careful coordination, and you’ll probably want to make sure all your hardware has a similar finish for uniformity.