Nothing quite compares to the beauty of solid wood furniture. It adds an unmatched natural beauty and gives any space character and warmth, something you won’t get from other materials such as plastic and metal. Unfortunately, the rise of cheaply produced MDF furniture has made it more of a luxury than it was before. The advantages of furniture made using old world techniques still hold true. They have a timeless appeal and durable enough to be passed from one generation to the next. You can’t ask for much more from your furniture.

Benefits Over MDF & Veneer

When compared to furniture using veneer or MDF (medium density fiberboard), solid wood furniture is no competition We have all been through the process of trying to put together furniture made from different pieces. Over time, they become loose and the joints that hold them together begin to wobble. After a few years they already need to be replaced. But solid wood furniture uses construction techniques that have been perfected over time for the purpose of creating objects that will outlast their owners. Also, solid wood has a much more beautiful appeal that can’t be duplicated using synthetic materials.

What You Need to Know

Shopping for living room furniture is no easy task. The variety of options available can be overwhelming, and those made from solid wood are no different. But if you know what to look for, it is a much easier process. Different woods have different traits so the best place to start is figuring out what you need. Do you plan to use the furniture indoors or outdoors? What types of colors will best match the color scheme of your living room? Is the look and grain of the wood more important to you than the color? These are just a few questions you should ask yourself. The following list describes important traits to consider.

• The Color – The best choice for color will depend on the color scheme of your home as well as the overall design. Light colored woods have a fresh and youthful appeal that goes great in modern and contemporary homes. Darker woods have an antique feel that goes great with traditional home designs. Combining dark woods in a modern setting is a great way to add rich color and contrast.
• The Grain – The grain is an important consideration because it’s what gives wood character and personality. It is the unique fingerprint that makes every piece of solid wood furniture one-of-a-kind. Depending on the species of the tree, the grain will show up differently because different trees have different cell structures.
• Hardwood or Softwood? – Despite the name, the distinction between the two types has little bearing on the density of the wood as it does on its botanical classification. Some softwoods are harder than hardwoods, and vice versa. The best way to determine the relative density of woods is using the Janka Rating System.
• The Type – The most common types of woods used in the furnishing industry are; ash, beech, birch, cedar, cherry, elm, gum, oak, pine, maple, mahogany, teak, and walnut.

There are many regrets that pop up when it comes to improving your home, don’t let your furniture be one of them. It might be convenient to buy cheap furniture, but that convenience wears off over time. Invest in quality from the start.