The hunt for the perfect furniture can be long and exhausting. We all want to find pieces that make our homes inviting and reflect our personal style but turning those visions into reality is often easier said than done. In fact, a Houzz survey revealed that 98% of people are unhappy with how their homes look, even after trying their best to decorate.

Curious about why so many of us struggle with this, Bored Panda got in touch with furniture maker and woodworker Liam O’Connor. He believes the root of the problem lies in the prevalence of mass-produced, low-quality products. “Most mass-produced furniture is made from MDF with laminate, essentially glued-together sawdust with a plastic coating,” O’Connor explains. “It doesn’t feel natural, and the designs are soulless and cold.”

According to The Washington Post, just fifty or sixty years ago, even affordable furniture in the US was typically made using higher-quality materials. Many budget-friendly options were crafted from local plywood—with thin layers of wood glued together. Today, most furniture on the market consists of Chinese-made plywood or pressboard, while pieces labeled as “solid wood” might actually be rubberwood with glued-on veneer.

“Everyone is just trying to reduce cost,” says CoCo Ree Lemery, a furniture designer who has worked with brands like Pottery Barn and West Elm and is currently a visiting professor of furniture design at Purdue University.

For instance, rubberwood is cheaper than most other types of lumber because it’s a byproduct of latex production, though it doesn’t hold up well over time. Wood products from China are similarly inexpensive, but their quality can be highly unpredictable.

“The whole industry has just changed so dramatically,” Lemery says. She describes the nonstop pressure of designing for major retailers as “soul crushing.” When she created pieces that were more expensive to make, and therefore pricier for customers, her employers would quickly discontinue them. “My most successful products, sadly, have always had the biggest margin, so they’ve had the lowest cost.”

As an independent craftsman, O’Connor advocates for handmade furniture made from real wood. “It has a particular warmth to it,” he says. “It makes spaces feel cozier, and when you buy from local woodworkers and designers, you get something unique that’s crafted just for you.” Although the price is usually higher, O’Connor believes it’s more cost-effective in the long run because it won’t fall apart like mass-produced alternatives. He even suggests trying your hand at making your own furniture to add a special touch to your home.

O’Connor let us in on his process for making furniture that stands the test of time. It involves careful planning, selecting high-quality wood, and drawing ideas from various sources. He usually begins by browsing Pinterest or looking for inspiration in nature and cartoons. Once he has a vision, he brings it to life through 3D models on his iPad or detailed sketches. With the design finalized, O’Connor picks out the lumber before heading to his shop to start crafting.

“Choosing the lumber is one of the most exciting parts,” O’Connor tells us. “Most woodworkers use rough sawn lumber, which is unsanded and full of rough marks, like an uncut gem. I love digging through piles to find the perfect piece with just the right grain, color, and character.”

Next, he surfaces the lumber to ensure all sides are parallel or perpendicular to one another. After the pieces undergo a glue-up and dry, he refines them for precision. “I find great joy in shaping intricate joints like dovetails or dados, and it’s incredibly satisfying when everything fits together perfectly during assembly,” he shares.

After that, O’Connor starts working on the finer details. He creates custom templates and uses a router to achieve exact dimensions. “Finally, I glue everything together, then sand and finish,” he says. This meticulous approach results in furniture that’s not only beautiful but built to last.

One of O’Connor’s recent creations that he’s particularly proud of is a cat bed designed to resemble a whimsical creature, complete with a soft, tongue-shaped pillow for pets to sleep or lounge on. “It was also my first time doing upholstery, and I felt a great sense of accomplishment with this piece,” he beams.

So next time you’re on the hunt for new furniture, remember that quality and character can make all the difference. Choose pieces that feel right for you, whether you find them at a thrift store, have them custom-made, or even decide to build your own. That way, you’ll be able to create a home you’ll love for years to come.