As one of six kids growing up in a small Cape Cod in Prairie Village, it was always a race for a coveted place on the sofa. Being relegated to sitting on the arm of the sofa meant you would soon end up on the floor because in our &#x93;furniture family,&#x94; sitting on the arm of the sofa just wasn&#x92;t done. It was considered impolite. </p><p>Today you don&#x92;t sit on the arm of the sofa because it might break. Many manufacturers have cut corners in making sofas. </p><p>When friends ask me about what to look for when buying a sofa or chair, I realize how little most consumers know about one of their most significant purchases. It seems savvy consumers who can rattle off the specs for the newest 3-D high-def TVs on the market should also know if their new sofa will last through more than one football season.</p><p> Being a good furniture consumer is often about knowing what to look for and what questions to ask when starting the buying process. </p><p>Start with the frame. Some retailers call their frames &#x93;all wood.&#x94; Simply put, this means what you see was once a tree. So were sawdust, particleboard and cardboard &#x97; but reconstituted wood products should not be used in construction of a good-quality chair or sofa. Unfortunately, they are often passed off as such by a misleading truth.</p><p> Ask for frames made of hardwood trees such as maple, oak, cherry and poplar. Stay clear of trees such as pine and cedar that are more appropriate for other furniture pieces. For example, staples and screws that are used at the building stage will begin to pull away from softer woods, whereas the maple frame will remain solid. </p><p>Ideally, wood for frames should be kiln dried. Kiln-drying the wood is extremely important because it removes as much as 93 percent of the moisture. This keeps the wood from warping, cracking or splitting in changing temperatures and humidity levels.</p><p> Beware of upholstered products. They may look good on the surface, but it is what&#x92;s on the inside that counts. Overall construction, especially the spring and support system used, is crucial. The two most common supports are the &#x91;no sag&#x92; system and 8-way, hand-tied construction.</p><p> The no-sag system is made of tempered steel supports placed in a zigzag or &#x93;S&#x94; pattern. They are attached to the front and back of the frame and supported with steel supports. The no-sag system is less expensive and requires little labor and skill to install.</p><p> The best quality has always been 8-way, hand-tied construction. This time-honored method uses a series of coils hand tied front to back, side to side, and diagonally. The process creates even comfort for the frame, and prevents give or sagging. It evenly distributes the pressure with all of the springs being connected. </p><p> In shopping for furniture, ask your salesperson or designer questions about the frame construction. Is the leg screwed into the frame or is it built into the frame as a solid piece? Lift the cushions. Is the sofa or chair clean and wrapped under the cushions? Take a look at the bottom. Is it finished? Do springs or wood show? Run your hand along the arm of the sofa. How does it feel? Can you feel the wood under your hand? If so, there is not enough support padding. </p><p> A well-constructed sofa or chair is an investment that should last you a lifetime. You may wear out the fabric, need to replace the cushions or tire of it, but you will not have to replace the frame. Go ahead; sit on the arm on this sofa. Just don&#x92;t tell my dad.