When Furniture Used to Last

There was a great conversation recently on Reddit where someone asked:
“What products used to be well built back in the day but now are low quality?”

Hundreds of people chimed in—talking about appliances, tools, clothes, and more—but one theme really stood out: furniture.

People shared stories about tables their grandparents bought in the 50s that are still rock solid today—versus newer pieces that started falling apart within a year. Some folks had paid thousands of dollars for “real wood” items only to find they were a veneer over particleboard. Others pointed out how even solid wood pieces often use fast joinery and thin finishes that don’t hold up to everyday life.

It’s not that furniture can’t be made well anymore—it’s just that quality has become harder to find. And price doesn’t always reflect it.

Why That Shift Happened

Part of it is just how things are made now. Most furniture is built to be mass-produced, shipped flat, and assembled quickly. That makes it more accessible, but also often less durable. The materials have changed, the construction has changed, and so has the pace.

It used to be that furniture was something you expected to live with for decades. Now, it’s more common to think of it as temporary—something to hold you over until the next move, the next style, or the next sale.

What Lasting Furniture Looks Like

One comment in the thread said it best:

“The pieces that have lasted in my family weren’t flashy, but they were solid. Someone clearly built them to be used.”

That’s a pretty good guiding principle for what makes good furniture today, too.

Durability doesn’t always mean thick, heavy, or fancy. It means materials that hold up to wear, joints that stay tight, and finishes that protect without hiding the character of the wood. It means building with care—whether it’s done in a factory or in a small one-person shop.

Why I Build the Way I Do

I think a lot about longevity in my work. Not because I’m trying to do something better than someone else, but because it feels meaningful to make something that will outlast me. That’s what drew me to woodworking in the first place.

At Alpine Joinery, I try to take things slowly. Not in a nostalgic or romantic way—but in a practical one. Good wood takes time to select, to mill, to join. And furniture that lasts isn’t rushed.

If you're someone who’s tired of replacing the same piece every few years, you're not alone. That Reddit thread showed just how common that feeling is. And if you’re ever curious about what it might look like to build something different—something more lasting—I’d be happy to talk.

Thanks for reading,
—Adam