Have you finally bought or built your dream home? Are you planning on giving your old but beloved house a makeover? Among the most crucial steps in creating the most beautiful, most comfortable living space is picking out the right furniture, and a big part of this is choosing the main material they’re going to be made of. Now, there are plenty of options available in the market today.
You can find pieces of furniture made from glass, plastic, stainless steel, and more. More often than not, furniture made from these materials is quite affordable. They also suit various themes, from modern and contemporary to Art Deco and Bohemian.
However, if you’re looking for furniture that will match any home design and stand the test of time, wood is the way to go. Wood furniture is strong and durable, elegant, one-of-a-kind, and highly customizable. In addition, contrary to popular belief, wood furniture is also pretty easy to maintain. They are likewise not as expensive as you probably think they are, especially if you choose softwoods and when you factor in their longevity.
All that being said, here are some of the most popular varieties of wood that are used in furniture making. We’ve also included some interesting facts about each one of them to help you decide what types of furniture to get for your home.
Cherry
Cherry is a hardwood with an even grain and tones that vary from a light blond shade to a rich reddish-brown hue. What’s great about cherry wood is that the color darkens naturally over time, giving the furniture (and thus, your home) a certain unique quality. In addition, cherry is easy to carve and shape. Therefore, if you prefer intricately detailed furniture, cherry should be your wood of choice.
It’s also easy to polish and takes to staining really well. Of course, since it belongs to the hardwood family, cherry also isn’t prone to get scratched or dented. A downside to choosing cherry furniture, however, is their cost. But while they can be expensive, you can also be certain that they will last for many years to come.
Marri
Corymbia calophylla or marri is a common tree found in southwest Australia. It was once thought to be a species of Eucalyptus, but it has since been reclassified as a bloodwood of a different genus. Marri is a hardwood with colors ranging from honey to nutmeg, with dark gum lines.
This is what makes the material truly one of a kind. Marri wood is an exceptionally durable material, with a density of 850 kilograms per cubic meter. You can place dish upon dish on a Marri dining table for a fantastic spread without worrying about cracks or dents. This incredible durability also makes marri an ideal material for bed frames and chairs.
Maple
Maple is one of the toughest, hardest wood species, perfect for furniture that sees plenty of use like kitchen cabinets and dressers. What’s more, it’s quite affordable. In fact, maple is often stained with darker colors to mimic more expensive hardwoods like cherry or mahogany.
Left as it is, maple has a beautiful creamy white color with a slightly red tinge for some species. Finally, because maple is non-toxic, it’s perfect for use in kitchen furniture and utensils. It’s also great for baby and children’s furniture.
Oak
There are two common kinds of oak: white oak which is famous for its “tiger-stripe” grain with yellowish flecks, and red oak with its darker color and swirling grain. Both types are often used for flooring and furniture. This inexpensive hardwood is also resistant to warping, as well as fungal and insect attacks. The latter of these benefits is due to the wood’s high tannin content. Oak is also the primary material for barrels used to age wine, brandy, whisky, and bourbon.
Cedar
Cedar, a member of the softwood family, is commonly used for patios and outdoor furniture. That’s because it’s highly resistant to moisture and temperature changes, which means it won’t easily rot or crack. In addition, cedar has a strong aroma that’s pleasant for humans but repels insects.
This further makes cedar an ideal material for outdoor use. Still, there are plenty of indoor uses for cedar, like when it is used as material for dressers and cabinets. Cedar contains thujaplicin, a natural antibacterial and antifungal substance which makes it fabric-friendly.
Pine
Pine is one of the most popular softwoods used in furniture making. It’s inexpensive and doesn’t shrink or swell. It’s also malleable, making it easy to shape, although it’s prone to dents and scratches. Pine is also easy to paint or stain, giving you endless customization options.
Left untreated, it has a beautiful light color accented by knots that are either yellowish or brown. Finally, and this may come as a surprise, pine has soundproofing properties. This makes pinewood ideal for bedroom floors or wall panels.
And there you have it! Hopefully, this list has helped you in deciding what kind of furniture to get and what woods are ideal for your home.
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