What makes outdoor furniture high-quality? Some might argue that it’s the process through which every piece it’s made. Others might say that it’s how well the furniture lasts once it’s installed in somebody’s home. We believe that the best answer lies somewhere in between–that outdoor furniture’s longevity usually relies on a detail-oriented process during which premium materials are used. Are you wondering whether the furniture you sell is up to par? Today, we’re going over the biggest ways you can determine whether your pieces are performing as they should, or whether it’s time to look for a new furniture manufacturer. Let’s get started.
It’s Made in the USA
If you’re a furniture dealer who is located in the United States, we strongly encourage you to work with manufacturers who produce their pieces in the United States. Why is domestically crafted furniture a better option than imported collections? Furniture manufacturers who source their materials domestically are willing to spend more in order to invest in American companies, which puts money back into local communities. Ethically speaking, it’s definitely a green checkmark in the “made in the USA” corner, but that’s not the only reason why domestic pieces are higher-quality. Sourcing and producing furniture domestically allows manufacturers to control every step of the creation process, starting before their pieces even come together. That means the manufacturer’s quality standards are more likely to be upheld, with less details falling through the cracks.
Premium Materials Are Used
We touched on this above, but it’s so important it deserved to be highlighted on its own: premium materials are the foundation of long-lasting outdoor furniture. Is your manufacturer transparent with you about how their pieces are built and which materials are used? If they aren’t it’s definitely worth investigating to make sure you’re giving your customers access to the best-quality pieces they can find.
What are some of the materials you should be looking for with outdoor furniture? Fully welded frames, for one, help to prevent chipping or peeling even under heavy wear and tear. Heavy duty aluminum extrusion leads to pieces that are built to last regardless of weather or wear. ComfortFLEX® fabrics on cushions are weather-resistant, retaining both color and texture rain or shine. If you sell strap collections, opt for 100% virgin vinyl if you really want to promise your customers longevity. Work with a manufacturer who you can trust to meet and exceed this gold standard when it comes to materials.
It’s Handcrafted, Not Produced
The materials are only half the battle in manufacturing great furniture; when it comes to quality, the process of putting it all together is just as important. Always–and we cannot stress this enough–opt for furniture that’s handcrafted by experts, not produced in an assembly line. The best collections are the ones that are put together by hands, using premium tools and years of experience. Outdoor furniture that’s mass-produced as quickly as possible may be convenient and cheap, but it’s also much less likely to last long. Mass-produced pieces are more likely to come with design flaws, missing parts, and even manufacturing mistakes. Avoid disappointing your customers by working with a manufacturer who never disappoints you.
It’s Designed to Look Great as Trends Change
It may be tempting to fill your showroom with outdoor furniture that features all of the latest design trends. While it makes sense to include one or two ultra-trendy collections among your pieces, be careful not to invest only in trendy designs. Most home- and business-owners don’t replace all of their patio furniture every season, or even every year; that means the best pieces are the ones that look timelessly stylish, rather than immediately trendy. If you want your outdoor furniture collections to go a long way with customers, look for clean lines, versatile colors, and quality materials instead of exclusively searching for statement pieces.
It’s Easy to Work With the Manufacturer
At the end of the day, a manufacturer can offer beautifully designed, well-built pieces–but if working with them is unpleasant, it’s not a sustainable business relationship. Your manufacturer should make it easy for you to do your drop with straightforward pricing, helpful support, and a clean website that you can navigate intuitively. If you’re happy with your collections but struggling to effectively communicate with your manufacturer, it might be a sign that you should start considering other furniture providers soon.
Finding the best outdoor furniture for your dealership starts with finding a manufacturer you can trust to uphold the highest standards of quality in terms of materials, production, design, and communication. To learn more about the Windward difference and what that means for your outdoor furniture dealership, just click here.