Identifying poorly constructed furniture involves inspecting structural joints, materials, and hardware for telltale signs of weakness and cost-cutting manufacturing. Common red flags include the use of lightweight particleboard or medium-density fiberboard instead of solid hardwoods, wobbling frames, visible glue oozing from joints, stapled or nailed structural connections rather than mortise-and-tenon or dowel joints, uneven drawers that lack smooth sliding mechanisms, and thin, sagging upholstery padding that loses resilience rapidly.