When it comes to buying solid wood furniture, one of the decisions you’ll need to make is what type of wood to choose. While there are many options on the market, solid wood is always a classic choice that will never go out of style.
Longevity is often a concern when it comes to purchasing furniture. While milk crates and wire spindles will do the job in college, once you’ve settled down into a new home, you want your pieces to last. Besides the cost of buying new furniture, there’s also the fact that, when you buy it, you probably already have a look and décor style in mind. Having to buy new pieces means finding furniture that goes well with your existing décor, costing time and money you only want to have to spend once.
Solid wood furniture is a great choice for just these reasons. Not only does it last, it can be purchased to accommodate a variety of décor schemes. Whether it’s solid wood cabinets made by the Amish, or a new coffee table, picking pieces for a timeless look can go a long way to solving several decoration based headaches.
Which Type of Wood Should You Choose for Solid Wood Furniture?
First and foremost, it’s important to consider the type of wood you have in mind. Most wood can be used for most furniture, but certain pieces do tend to be associated with certain woods. Different types of wood also vary in colour, so this is important to consider—especially if you’re buying more than one piece for the same room. You don’t want a cherry dining table set if you have a more brownish color scheme in the room itself, for a terrible but pertinent example.
These are some of the most popular types of wood used for solid wood furniture:
Oak
One of the most popular choices is oak. Oak has been used for centuries to make high-quality furniture. Known for its strength and resilience, oak is often considered one of the best types of wood for solid wood furniture. It is also easy to work with when you are creating pieces by hand or using power tools like routers and saws.
Pine
Another popular choice is pine. Pine has a distinctive grain pattern that can add a rustic or cottage style to your home. It’s also a softer wood, making it easier to sand and shape to your desired look. Pine is one of the most affordable woods available, making it a great choice if you are on a budget.
Walnut
Walnut is another type of wood that is often used to make furniture. It is darker in color than pine and oak, but it still has a beautiful grain pattern. Walnut is also very strong and durable, making it an excellent choice for heavier pieces of furniture. However, because walnut is a harder wood, it can be more difficult to work with if you are not experienced in using power tools.
Mahogany
Mahogany is another hardwood that is popular for its rich, red colour. It is often used as an accent wood in furniture because of its striking hue. Mahogany is also known for being very strong and resistant to scratches and dents.
Ash
Ash is another type of wood that has been used for centuries to make furniture. It is strong and also enhances the natural grain pattern of the wood, making it a great choice for a variety of furniture pieces. Though it’s a hardwood, Ash is incredibly light, making it useful for coffee tables and other smaller pieces you may need to move around on occasion.
Rubberwood
A less traditional option is rubber wood, which is known for its smooth finish and warm colour that bring a natural warmth to your home. Rubber wood is great for smaller pieces like coffee tables or side tables because it does not require much finishing work after being cut.
Teak Wood
Teak is a durable hardwood that is perfect for both indoor and outdoor furniture. It is naturally resistant to rot and pests, making it an ideal choice for those who want their furniture to last.
Teak wood is also very beautiful, with a natural grain that adds both character and elegance to any piece of furniture. Because of its high quality, teak furniture is often quite expensive. However, it is worth the investment as teak furniture can last for many years.
Cherry Wood
Cherry is in fact not that common a wood any more, though it is an option. It’s is a bit softer than other types of hardwood, but it is still very durable. It has a beautiful rich color that makes it ideal for creating elegant, sophisticated pieces.
When considering the type of wood, you should also consider the overall style you’re looking to create or already have. For example, if you have a lighter color scheme, darker woods like walnut are probably a bad idea. The opposite is also true if you have a darker color scheme. Styles and themes can vary a bit between rooms, so take that into account as well. You might have a warmer color style in the dining room and a darker setup in the master bedroom, which can affect solid wood furniture choices.
Consider the Style of Your Existing Furniture
The actual style itself needs to be considered as well. Solid wood furniture can be used for both older styles and more modern interiors. Modern styles tend to utilize sleek, lighter colored woods, while more traditional design schemes use older pieces of darker wood that tend to be highly ornate. Keep all this in mind when it comes to your design preferences so as to avoid purchasing a piece with a style or wood color that doesn’t fit.
Creating timeless looks can be difficult enough without considering a hefty, lasting purchase like solid wood furniture. In general, sleek, simple designs age better than more ornate styles. That said, solid wood is itself part of a lot of design schemes across decades, even centuries. Whether the wood is sleek or ornate, it can be used for a timeless look with the right layout and color schemes.
How is The Furniture Constructed?
How the furniture is built can affect your style choices as well. Solid wood furniture is often constructed with interlocking sides, dowels, and screws as needed. This adds to the high-quality look solid wood furniture tends to have over plywood or veneer pieces. Particularly ones that make use of glue and staples!
Furniture construction is an important part of interior design. If you want a higher end look, solid wood furniture is naturally a great start. This is especially true if you’re trying to create a timeless look.
Whether you’re buying furniture sets for a new home or just upgrading the furniture for a lasting look, there’s a lot to consider when buying solid wood furniture. The wood itself, its age, color, and style all need to be taken into account. This will ensure that not only does the piece fit in with the design style you have in mind, but that layout will stay fresh and look great over the years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solid Wood Furniture
Here are some of the most common questions people are asking about choosing solid wood furniture.
Is Solid Wood Furniture Heavy?
Most solid wood furniture is relatively heavy since it is constructed from dense hardwood materials. Factors that may contribute to the heaviness of solid wood furniture include the type of wood used, the thickness of the wood, and any additional features or embellishments. Additionally, solid wood furniture may be heavier than other types of furniture due to its sturdy construction. Ultimately, the weight of solid wood furniture will depend on its individual design and construction.
How can you tell if furniture is solid wood?
Solid wood furniture is made from a single piece of wood, while wood veneer furniture is made from several thin pieces of wood that are glued together.
You can tell the difference between solid wood and veneer furniture by looking at the edges. Solid wood furniture will have a smooth, even edge, while veneer furniture will have a thin, wood grain edge.
Additionally, solid wood furniture is generally more expensive than veneer furniture because it is made from higher quality materials. However, both types of furniture can be equally durable if they are properly cared for.
If you are looking for quality, durable furniture that is made from solid wood, there are a few things to look for. First, check the edges of the furniture to see if it is made from one piece of wood or several thin layers. You will also want to consider the price and quality of the materials used in the furniture. Good quality solid wood furniture doesn’t come cheap!
Which is the Best Quality Wood for Furniture?
Some of the most popular types of wood used for furniture include teak, mahogany, pine, and oak. Each type of wood has its own unique properties and characteristics, which can affect both its appearance and durability.
Some of the key factors to consider when choosing the best quality wood for furniture include its appearance, strength, and weather resistance. For example, teak is known for its rich color and beautiful grain, making it a popular choice for high-end furniture pieces. In contrast, mahogany is a strong and durable wood that is often used in heavier furniture pieces.
Ultimately, the best quality wood for furniture depends on your personal preferences and the specific needs of the piece of furniture. If you are looking for a strong and durable wood, mahogany or oak may be the best option. However, if you are looking for a beautiful wood with a rich color, teak may be the better choice. It’s important to consider all of the factors involved in order to choose the best quality wood for your furniture.
Emily Brookes is an Interior Designer based in the UK. Since graduating from the National Design Academy with a Bachelors Degree in Interior Design, Emily started her successful blog, Emily May Designs, which shares ideas and inspiration on how to create a beautiful home.
