Wood Furniture Buying Guide
Wood furniture has been popular for centuries, so it’s no surprise that there’s such a wide variety these days. While it’s good to have a large selection to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down the best wood furniture. Whether you’re looking for a solid wood desk or a matching dining room set, here’s how to choose the right wood furniture for your home.
Types of Wood to Look For
One of the most important details to consider is which type of wood you want for your furniture. There are dozens of wood types to choose from, and though most are about the same when it comes to strength and durability, they differ quite a bit in appearance. Some types of wood are light colored or exceptionally smooth, while others are quite dark or rough to the touch. Keep your desired traits in mind as you read about the most popular types of furniture wood below.
Ash: Ash is one of the lightest wood options on the market. It’s a type of hardwood that is smooth and somewhat flexible, and it’s often used for curved pieces of furniture—such as chairs.
Rubberwood: If you’re looking for a light hardwood that is similar to maple, consider rubberwood. According to The Wood Database, many major furniture manufacturers use rubberwood to make everything from cabinets to desks, though it does need to be properly sealed and stained to stand up to regular use.
Mahogany: Another darker wood to consider is mahogany, which is often either reddish brown or medium brown. If you want furniture that features lots of ornate details, look for mahogany pieces, since this wood is good for carving and staining.
What Is FSC Certified Wood?
If you notice that a wood product has an “FSC Certified” logo, this means the product has met regulations set by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Considered the “gold standard” for wood-harvesting, FSC certification comes with a high list of criteria designed to make sure wood is sourced in an environmentally-friendly manner. This includes tracing a product’s path from the forest, as well as a low environmental impact of logging and related activities.
Think About Your Home’s Style
Now that you know some of the most popular types of wood on the market, you can start shopping — keeping your home’s style in mind. After all, you want to choose wood furniture that complements the colors and themes in your home. So look around your home and note whether most of your furniture is light or dark in color, and then buy new wood furniture that closely matches it.
Consider Construction Details
Before you buy wooden furniture for your home, look at how it’s constructed. Generally, high-quality wood furniture features interlocking sides, wooden dowels or screws to hold everything together. According to Forbes, if you can see glue, nails or staples at the joints, the furniture may not be as durable as you’d like.
No matter what kind of wood furniture you want for your home, you can find it at Living Spaces. Browse our furniture today so you can get what you need for every room in your home!
Featured Products
— More Great Articles —
Related Categories
Read the Latest
Editorial Disclaimer: Articles featuring tips and advice are intended for educational purposes and only as general recommendations. Always practice personal discretion when using and caring for furniture, decor and related items.
