It’s common to hear people say things like “nothing’s getting cheaper,” but in the world of furniture, things actually have gotten a lot cheaper. This is largely due to the fact that retailers like IKEA and Target are now importing such large volumes of furniture and selling them at such cheap prices that the cost of furniture, in terms of constant dollars, has fallen about 50 percent over the past 30 years, according to The Wall Street Journal.

As a result, used or heirloom furniture now appears to be extremely expensive relative to the cost of items from IKEA or Target, for example. In fact, many have found it nearly impossible to sell, or even give away, their used furniture.

The big question that comes from all this is: Should you pay more for heirloom furniture?

Heirloom quality

There’s no denying the price point alone is a strong reason to buy the less expensive furniture found at low-cost retailers. These stores have a massive selection and you’ll certainly be able to find a style that suits your needs.

But for those looking for a sense of style and distinction on top of mere functionality, you must look elsewhere.

One of the biggest advantages of heirloom furniture is that you’re buying something to last several decades, not a few years. Solid-wood furniture, when perfectly finished and assembled, has a quality that extends beyond the generations of use you and your family will get out of it. You are really buying a work of art. Because heirloom furniture is not mass produced overseas but crafted by people who spend years mastering their art, there’s a distinct difference when you have a well-made piece in your home. So much so, in fact, that you will not regret paying extra for it.