Is it worth investing in furniture for my new home? How to look after wooden furniture so it lasts? 

It’s so hard to know if it’s worth investing in high-end furniture and what you actually get from it, with the continuous push to consume and buy single-use, ‘commitment-free’ products. 

If you are on the fence between furnishing your home from Ikea or investing in a higher quality furniture, we are here to help you gain some more clarity - especially helpful if you are furnishing your first home (double-points for those who care about their health and the environment). 

Long-lasting furniture shouldn’t mean breaking the bank, especially when you are moving into your first new home! You don’t want to compromise on quality, durability and style, but neither do you want to spend all your savings on a new coffee table - we get the dilemma.

At Naco Design, we understand that not everyone can or wants to invest in a piece of solid hardwood furniture. Hence, we've crafted a clever blueprint for creating enduring, affordable furniture by harmoniously blending veneer with hardwood. The foundational, load-bearing sections of our furniture are diligently crafted from local hardwood, ensuring they stand the test of time. On the flip side, we integrate veneer in parts that serve more decorative purposes, offering a budget-friendly solution without forgoing quality, durability, or style.

Let's be honest; there's a significant difference between hardwood and veneer. While veneer can offer a cost-effective solution, it's chosen judiciously at Naco Design to enhance your furniture's quality and lifespan. Our meticulous selection of materials ensures that your investment is built to last.

*To break it down, our formula is straightforward – we prioritize hardwood for the key structural elements of our furniture like the bed slats, drawers, table tops, and legs, where strength is non-negotiable. However, for example, designs with mitred edges is when veneer takes the spotlight, allowing us to craft beautiful, budget-conscious, and resilient furniture that you’ll cherish.

By locally sourcing our timber, we not only uphold the highest quality standards but also contribute to a more sustainable and community-centric approach to furniture design.

Important note from our Lead Product Designer, Sebastian;

* What I tell customers to explain our use of materials on a cabinet (A cabinet is a piece of furniture that has doors and drawers and is often used for storage):

1. We use 19-32mm thick hardwood timber on high wear areas, such as drawer internals, drawer fronts, legs and all front facing edges - this has the added benefit of being able to sand back or repair any dings (damage) in those areas.

2. On the Orimba range we generally use hardwood veneer on the large surfaces of our cabinets (carcass). Hardwood veneer (on engineered board) is superior on furniture designed with mitred edges - as solid timber moves and tends to split open the mitred corner over time - the engineered panels are more stable and wont split open the mitred edge.  Hardwood veneer does not move over time, and therefore stays more stable, ensuring that drawers and doors can maintain small tolerance gaps and close smoothly time and time again.

3. The hardwood veneer is a thin layer of the same timber as the solid sections, making it seamless combination.

4. We do not use glue on edges - as we find those to be the first thing that peels off or look fake on competitor products. The hardwood edge on our cabinets is a point of difference.

Initially, purchasing high-quality furniture might seem like a hefty expenditure. However, unlike cheaper alternatives that deteriorate quickly and require frequent replacements, well-crafted furniture stands the test of time, proving to be a cost-effective choice in the long run.

So far, we figured a few upsides to investing in long-lasting quality furniture. To recap, you save yourself money on buying a new piece every few years, you can customise it to fit your interior space, and you are supporting a local business?! On top of this, you also save the environment. Our high quality Australian timber is not only made to last you for a lifetime, but is saving emissions on transport, re-investing in the local economy, and responsibly sourced from local forests.

By purchasing from our local or online furniture store in Melbourne, you are making the more sustainable, lasting option. We are more than just a furniture store; we are a family business that cares about our clients and the environment. Sustainability is at the core of our values, and our furniture is designed to have a positive impact on your life and the world around us.

The last time that you could fully customise an Ikea furniture to fit your living room was… well, never. Another great benefit of investing in long-lasting furniture is that you can customise it to fit your space perfectly - after all, who doesn’t want a perfectly fitted TV unit with extra storage and secret drawers?!

At the core of what we do at Naco, we value long-lasting, customisable furniture that brings you comfort, fits with your personal interior style and most importantly - is exactly what you were always looking for. Custom-made furniture is another thing we want to make accessible, so we offer a free consultation - just pop in to our store in Melbourne and let’s have a chat over coffee while sketching your desired piece.

Investing in quality or custom furniture is more than merely a pursuit of luxury, it is a step towards enhancing yours and your family’s everyday quality of life. Your sofa, dining table, bed, drawers and chairs are things you use every single day - so why compromise on the quality? Until now, you may have had to, because luxury furniture had a big price tag, but we made luxury furniture affordable.

Unlike cheaper alternatives that quickly lose their comfort, quality furniture is designed to provide a cosy retreat even after extensive use, making your living spaces a delight to be in. Beyond the immediate comfort, there's a long-term advantage to your health.

Well-designed, ergonomic furniture supports your body correctly, helping to prevent common ailments like back, neck, and hip issues that can arise from using poorly designed furniture. It's an investment in maintaining your physical well-being over time. Lastly, quality furniture significantly elevates your quality of life. Imagine sinking into a comfy sofa after a long day, or having a supportive office chair that keeps you comfortable through your work hours.

Unlike many modern gadgets that become outdated quickly, a well-chosen piece of furniture remains a valuable, enduring asset in your home, continually adding to your living experience for years to come. This blend of comfort, health benefits, and enhanced living underscores why opting for quality furniture is a wise, rewarding decision.

We know that mass-produced, low-quality furniture often comes at a low price, but at what cost? Cheaper furniture can cost you more in the long run since it's typically made from inferior materials, leading to a short lifespan. These pieces contribute to the growing problem of furniture waste, as they're discarded after a few years of use, creating more pollution as often they are not recycled, either. 

While budget-friendly options might seem like a good deal, fast furniture comes with a hidden price tag. It is usually made from materials that don’t stand up to daily use, which means they wear out pretty quickly. Unlike sturdy, well-made furniture that can handle the daily bumps and spills, these budget pieces start showing their age pretty fast - and when they start, it’s usually irreversible. Before you know it, you're back in the market for a new coffee table or chair, and those costs start adding up.

But let’s zoom out a little bit and look into the bigger picture - planet Earth. When these cheaper pieces break down, they are quickly discarded which adds to the growing pile of furniture waste, polluting our planet.

High quality furniture can be repaired, refreshed or passed down to someone else, whilst budget pieces usually end in landfill, contributing to 9mln tons of furniture annualy.

Lastly, there’s something satisfying about coming home to a well-furnished space. It reflects a bit of who we are and what we value. Investing in some good quality furniture is like saying, “Hey, this is my space, and I value comfort, style, and quality.”

In a nutshell, while budget-friendly furniture might be a go-to choice in our early adulting days, as we move towards creating a long-term home, investing in quality furniture is the way to go, whether you have kids, pets or think you might move out in a couple of years. It’s not just about having nice things; it’s about creating a home that feels good, looks good, and stands the test of time without costing the earth, literally and figuratively!

“What to do if I get stains on my hardwood table?” 

Many people are concerned about investing in expensive furniture because the wood will wear off over time. Instead of having to replace your furniture every few years (because life happens), you get the option to repair or refresh your most commonly used pieces of furniture at Naco - such as Dining tables, Coffee tables, Desks and more - book a free consultation before purchasing or pop into our local furniture store in Melbourne, and our team will happily advise you.

When you choose Naco Design, you're investing in furniture that will look after you for life (as long as you, also, look after it). We consider every client a long-term partner, and our commitment to your satisfaction and the environment goes beyond the initial purchase - so we offer a maintenance service to all your hardwood furniture, for life. 

Which is why with our repair and refresh service, we're here to ensure your Naco piece remains a cherished part of your home.

Our furniture is not just a product; it's a work of art that tells a unique story. Every piece is crafted by hand, and the natural imperfections that result are a testament to our commitment to artisanal craftsmanship. These one-of-a-kind imperfections add character and a sense of individuality to each creation.

When you choose Naco Design, you're investing in furniture that offers both value and longevity. Say no to disposable furniture, and invest in pieces that will last a lifetime. 

Explore our collection today and experience the Naco Design difference.

Choose Quality, Choose Local, Choose Naco Design.