Home > Blogs > Protecting Your Furniture Investment

Protecting Your Furniture Investment

June 2023

Home furnishings are some of the biggest investments we make in our home—and it’s truly where we do our living, from our living room conversation areas to dining room furniture where we share our meals. Of course, bedroom furniture and a quality mattress is crucial for supporting relaxation and sleep. You’ve likely dedicated a considerable amount of money and time in surrounding your family and yourself with furnishings you love, and it’s important to maintain the good looks and function of these pieces.

Follow these best practices to protect your furniture investment, so you and your family can enjoy the pieces you love for years—and perhaps even generations—to come.

Start with White Glove Delivery

Gabberts Design Studio and Fine Furnishings is proud to offer fine home furnishings from many of today’s leading manufacturers. Gabberts’ white glove delivery service is designed to reflect the great care and respect that we have for your purchase and your home, and make sure your furniture is delivered with utmost care and at your convenience. You can expect the following with a quality delivery service:

· All merchandise is uncrated and inspected prior to delivery

· Trucks padded for careful delivery

· Beds are set up in your home

· Chair glides installed

· Mirrors attached to dressers or wired for hanging

· Drawers adjusted

· All merchandise leveled

· Table leaves pre-fitted

· Table slides adjusted

· Hutch and china tops attached to bases

· Upholstery furniture protected by plastic during delivery

Follow Furniture Care Guidelines

Once you have your furniture in your home, set-up properly, and positioned just so, it’s time to enjoy your pieces! To keep them at optimal comfort and style longer, follow furniture care information, which will be provided at the time of delivery, if available. You should follow all specific instructions on cleaning and product usage from the manufacturer as a priority over these general guidelines.

Wood Care
It is the difference in the beauty of natural wood grain and the subtle variations of coloring that give real wood its warmth and richness. However, there are steps you can take to minimize swelling, shrinking, warping, splitting and changing color. Regular maintenance may include dusting, cleaning with a slightly damp cloth, polishing, and avoiding exposure to too much sunlight, heat and humidity. Learn more about Living with Real Wood here.

Dining Furniture Care
For wood dining room furniture, you should follow the wood care guidelines, as well as additional dining furniture care recommendations. Different species of wood used to manufacture dining furniture offer unique looks and may require slightly different care. While major defects can be taken care of under a warranty, there is some wear that is considered normal and can add to the uniqueness and one-of-a-kind beauty of your piece.

Special Materials Care
Each material that your fine furniture is made from brings its unique texture and style to your space, and it should be cared for in a specific way to maintain optimal appearance and performance. Look at the special materials care instructions for: marble, glass tops, chrome, antiqued furniture, wicker/rattan, leather and more.

Fine Upholstery Care
There are seemingly endless choices of fabrics and leathers available for your fine furniture to give your piece just the look and feel you desire. All fabrics will wear better and retain their beauty longer with proper care. Upholstered furniture should be vacuumed regularly to remove the dust and dirt which damage fabric fibers and cause premature wear. Learn about upholstery materials care for both natural and synthetic materials, including: velvets, silks and satins, texture and tweeds, cottons, olefin, polyester, nylon, vinyl and more.

Area Rug Care
The beauty of handmade carpets and fine rugs can last a very long time if they are properly cared for and can even become heirloom pieces to be passed down throughout generations. However, regular care is needed to help maintain the beauty of your fine rugs and extra care and attention must be taken not to damage the rugs’ fragile fibers. Learn more about how to clean your rug at home, including vacuuming, fringe care, the use of a rug pad, and when to call in the professionals for a cleaning.

Patio Furniture Care
Fine patio furniture can last season after season, but requires some maintenance, so it is kept dry, clean and ready to enjoy anytime the great outdoors is calling your name! Follow patio care guidelines for common materials, including aluminum, resin, wrought iron and steel, cushions and slings, glass table tops, teak and other materials. Additionally, use a cover to protect your outdoor furniture from harmful sun rays, rain, and other outdoor elements to extend the life of outdoor furniture.

Mattress Care

Most mattresses last around 7 – 10 years, depending on the type of mattress and how it is used. You can extend the life of your mattress by following care guidelines, such as pairing a new mattress with a new box spring, turning your mattress end-to-end regularly, and avoiding bending your mattress. Additionally, it’s important to use a good quality mattress protector to keep your mattress clean and extend the life expectancy of your mattress.

Get a Warranty

Even with proper care, spills and other accidents are bound to happen, and it’s a good idea to have your furniture investment protected by a warranty. There are a variety of options available to protect against damaged merchandise, furniture issues, and to ensure that your mattress suits your comfort preferences.

Guardian Warranty Protection Program

Protect your new furniture against life’s little mishaps! Gabberts, through Guardian Protection Products, offers a five year fabric and leather protection program to help protect your new furniture investment. Coverage includes a one time incident for the following:

Fabric

Food or beverage stains
Human or pet bodily fluid stains
Grass, shoe polish or grease stains
Ballpoint pen ink, crayon or cosmetic stain
Nail polish stains
Rips, cuts, burns or punctures

Leather

Food or beverage stains
Human or pet bodily fluid stains
Grass, shoe polish or grease stains
Ballpoint pen ink, crayon or cosmetic stain
Nail polish stains
Rips, cuts, burns or punctures

Premium

Gabberts offers a 5 year Premium Warranty that covers Fabric/Leather/Vinyl/Wood under one plan:

Fabric

Accidental stains caused by food or beverage normally consumed by humans; mold and mildew stains caused by food or beverage spills; stains caused by human or pet bodily fluids.
Accidental rips, cuts, punctures or burns from a single relatable occurrence.
Accidental breakage of frames, springs, and sleeper, reclining, inclining, heating, and vibrating mechanisms will be covered after the manufacturer's warranty has expired.

Leather/Vinyl

Accidental stains caused by any food or beverage normally consumed by humans; mold and mildew stains caused by food or beverage spills; stains caused by human or pet bodily fluids; grass, grease, ballpoint pen ink, iodine, nail polish, cosmetics, lipstick, crayon, and shoe polish. Rips, cuts, punctures or burns from a single relatable occurrence.
Accidental breakage of frames, springs, and sleeper, reclining, inclining, heating, and vibrating mechanisms will be covered after the manufacturer's warranty has expired.

Wood/Hard Surface