From the Tokyo showroom event: 2 checks to avoid furniture-buying regrets

Hello, this is OkawaKagu.com.

Thank you to everyone who visited our Tokyo (Ikebukuro) exhibition & experience event the other day. Being able to see and touch the furniture in person made a few “points of hesitation” — which can be hard to judge online — much clearer.

Today, based on the questions we heard most often at the venue, we’re sharing two check points to help you choose furniture with confidence.

Theme 1: Depth doesn’t work (too deep / hard to pass through)

We heard comments like:

• “In stores, many items are deeper than I expected…”
• “My space is small, so I want something with a shallower depth.”

Depth is often considered after width, but it can greatly affect how comfortable your daily life feels.

Home situations where depth can cause regret:

• The walkway isn’t wide (people need to pass in front of the furniture)
• You have limited space to pull out chairs (dining tables / desks, etc.)
• You want to place it along a wall or in a corner (too much depth can make the space feel cramped)
• You haven’t measured the depth of the placement area (only the width)

A practical way to decide:

1. Decide how much walkway space you want to keep.
2. Decide the depth needed for actions (opening doors, pulling drawers fully open, etc.).
3. Choose furniture that meets those conditions (or consider another size / made-to-order).

Related links

• Furniture with depth 20–30cm
• Furniture with depth under 20cm
• Made-to-order table auto quote

Theme 2: Printed finish, veneer, or solid wood?

Another frequent question was about materials. “Is this a printed finish?” “It looks nice in photos, but I can’t tell the material.”

Material can be hard to judge from photos alone, so here are three quick tips:

1. Check the edges/end grain (grain wraps around = more likely solid wood; visible layers/lines = veneer/printed finishes).
2. Look for repeated patterns (regular repetition can indicate printed woodgrain).
3. Touch it and gently tap/knock to compare the feel and sound.

If you’re still unsure, the safest option is to ask the retailer/manufacturer directly.

Learn more: Basics of durable materials (surface materials)

Summary

• Depth affects comfort through pathways and daily actions (pulling chairs, opening doors, using drawers), not just whether it “fits.”
• Materials are difficult to judge from photos — edges and pattern repetition are helpful, and tapping sound can be a clue.
• The two biggest sources of regret are “size feel” and “material feel.” Confirm those to reduce the chance of disappointment.

April is a popular season for moving and refreshing interiors. When you have time, take a relaxed look at any furniture you’ve been considering.

P.S.

 We transported the furniture between Fukuoka and Tokyo by ferry this time, but the sea was rough both ways — it was a pretty exhausting trip… Next year, we’re considering taking a calmer Seto Inland Sea ferry route to Osaka first, and then moving overland from there.