Unless you're lucky enough to find a diamond in the rough at a flea market, buying a chair of your own can be expensive. Understanding the finer points of construction before you shop will ensure you get the most for your money.

The Frame: Choose a chair with a hardwood frame that has been kiln dried so it will not warp. Try lifting it; a hard-wood frame will be very heavy.

The Springs: The finest chairs have eight-way hand-tied springs. Each spring is placed on the seat webbing and tied into position. Mid-priced chairs often have sinuous s-type springs that run in rows and are attached to the frame. The least expensive chairs may not have springs at all, just high-tech webbing and foam padding.

The Filling: Back and seat cushions can be filled with down, feathers and down (the most luxurious materials), cotton or synthetic batting, or molded or shredded foam. Foam cushions encased in a feather-and-down envelope are less expensive than 100 percent feather-and-down cushions but still comfortable.

The Fabric: You're better off spending your money on quality construction rather than expensive fabric. If you plan to share your chair with a pet or a young child, washable slip-covers can make maintenance much easier.

The Design: Design is as important as construction in choosing a chair. Timeless designs, like those of Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen, are very expensive but worthwhile investments.