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Customer Review
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 March 2020I already have a Corona Book shelf, TV unit and Merchants Chest. And always had room from a sideboard but only recently got around to acquiring it.
The Book shelf, TV unit, Merchants chest were acquired about 10yrs ago, of which the chest and TV unit gave me a couple of assembly issues. So, I had an idea of what I was getting myself into with this sideboard.
I'm not comfortable paying hundreds of pounds for furniture that I'll rarely see, i.e I spend most hours at work, in the gym or out. So, this sideboard's practicality (for my needs) and price point were enticing enough.
This sideboard's quality is much better than the Corona items that I'd previously bought. The pine sections are of a better quality, and on the whole the fixing holes match up.
Instructions are just diagrams that require patience and an eye for small details. i.e. fixings that are very similar in dimensions but have very different purposes. Also, some wooden sections of internal frame work are very similar but different. So, watch out.
It is also important to obey the advice that power tool for screws must not be used, as the wood can split with ease when using power tool, in my experience.
Warning on storage:
I didn't have time to immediately put it together, though I checked the contents right away, and stored it in my garage. My garage isn't insulated and prone to high humidity. So, when I got around to assembly I found that the doors, which are prefabricated and made of several bits, had warped a little and became wider than the its opening. But once I brought them into my house, and left them for a couple of days they returned to their original shape.
The drawer bottoms and backing are made of 4mm MDF, which is of a much better quality than my other Corona furniture. Assembling one of the drawers took a little shimmying to get the base in.
The corona pine look as it is, looks great on a warm sunny day in my living room.
Value:
I purchased this at £62.99 and regard it as value for money, but I've seen it advertised for £99 (in its basic form). Though I've also seen upscaled specimens at £136. The basic item is not, in my opinion worth £99.
Upscale:
Since, I've had the Corona furniture for a while now, it's time for a change and I recently discovered furniture upscaling blogs.
This Corona furniture can be painted.
So, this item was part assembled and then I got creative. I purchased new round drawer & door handles, Blum soft close concealed hinges and Rust oleum chalky furniture paint (Winter grey) & polish. And I varnished the top and shelf a warm oak. It makes for a spectacular transformation.
Though I must admit the cost of the upscale materials exceeds the cost of the sideboard, but only just.
(I had intentions of sharing photos of my upscale efforts but I think they've temporarily removed the button to attach photos - not enough people to review photos due to covid19)
