Why Furniture Got So Bad (And Where To Find Quality)

[object Object]Picture by Kara Eads

Walk into almost any home today and you’ll probably see a coffee table with a peeling veneer, a sofa sagging after just a couple of years, or a dresser that wobbles after one move. Compare that to the furniture in your grandparents’ house — solid wood dining tables, heavy dressers, and armchairs that stood the test of time. So, what happened? Why did furniture get so bad?

The Rise of Fast Furniture

Over the past two decades, the furniture industry has followed the same trajectory as fast fashion. Instead of building furniture to last a lifetime, many brands prioritize low cost, quick production, and seasonal trends. The result? Stylish pieces that look good in a catalog but don’t survive everyday life.

• Cheaper materials: Particle board, MDF, and thin veneers replace solid woods.
• Mass production: Pieces are made to be fast, not durable.
• Disposable mindset: Furniture is treated like fashion — replaced every few years instead of every few decades.

The Hidden Cost of Cheap Furniture

At first glance, fast furniture looks like a bargain. But add up the costs over time, and it’s not as cheap as it seems:

• A $200 dresser that falls apart in 3 years ends up costing $600 over a decade.
• A solid wood dresser bought second-hand for $400 could last another 30 years.

On top of the financial waste, there’s an even bigger problem: furniture waste is one of the fastest-growing categories of landfill material in the U.S.

Each year, an estimated 9.8 million tons of furniture and furnishings end up in landfills in the United States alone. That makes furniture the second-largest portion of municipal waste, just behind food. And because much of today’s furniture is made with composites, foams, and plastics, it doesn’t break down easily — it just sits there, piling up.

What We Lost: Craftsmanship & Longevity

Not long ago, furniture was something you invested in — and passed down. Solid oak dining tables, walnut credenzas, or mid-century modern chairs were built with joinery and craftsmanship designed to last generations.

Today, even when furniture looks like hardwood in photos, the reality is often very different. That “solid wood” dining table? When it arrives, the entire piece might weigh barely more than the cardboard box it was shipped in. Instead of oak or walnut, it’s usually MDF or particle board with a thin veneer. The weight alone tells you everything you need to know.

The shift away from “buy once, keep forever” has left us in a cycle of “buy cheap, replace often.” But it doesn’t have to be this way. At Kashew, we make it easy to rediscover the kind of furniture that was built to last. With more than 20,000 beautiful items available at any time — spanning vintage classics, mid-century modern icons, sleek contemporary pieces, and top designer brands — you can shop like it’s the golden age of furniture again. And with same-day local delivery (plus nationwide shipping in 2–3 weeks), you don’t have to wait months to bring quality home.

Why Buying Second-Hand Is Smarter

Beyond saving money, buying used furniture solves multiple problems at once:

• Durability: Pre-loved furniture has already stood the test of time.
• Environmental impact: Every second-hand purchase keeps one more item out of the landfill.
• Unique character: No two vintage or gently-used pieces are exactly alike.
• Instant gratification: Unlike waiting 8–12 weeks for new furniture delivery, Kashew items can be in your living room the same day.

Bottom Line

Furniture “got bad” because it was designed to be cheap, trendy, and disposable. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. By choosing pre-loved, designer-quality pieces, you not only invest in furniture that lasts longer — you also help cut down on the 9.8 million tons of furniture waste that ends up in U.S. landfills every year.

If you want style, sustainability, and value, start with Kashew. Because a sofa should last more than one lease.

FAQs: Why Furniture Got So Bad

• When did furniture quality start to decline?
  Around the early 2000s, when mass-market retailers shifted toward fast furniture models using cheaper materials.
• Is all new furniture low quality?
  Not all — high-end designers still produce durable pieces. But mid-market brands often cut corners to hit price points.
• How is second-hand furniture better?
  Older and designer pieces were built with stronger materials and better craftsmanship. Buying them second-hand gives you quality at a fraction of the price.
• Which styles are popular second-hand?
  Mid-century modern and vintage furniture are especially sought-after for their lasting quality and timeless style.
• Where can I shop second-hand designer furniture?
  Kashew is the #1 marketplace, with over 20,000+ pieces from top brands with local delivery as soon as next day, and nationwide white glove shipping.

💡 Pro tip: Browse Kashew today for sustainable, stylish, pre-loved designer furniture — built to last far longer than the fast furniture cycle.