A buyer's guide to real wood furniture

Real wood furniture has retained a charm which newer materials and simulations cannot match. It is versatile enough to be used on the various rooms in a home and even at offices. However, buying real wood furniture can seem overwhelming given the wide range of wood species and styling. Read this buyer’s guide to real wood furniture for information on wood species selection, styles, availability and selection tips.

Selection of wood species

When looking for real wood furniture, it is useful to understand the various wood species and their special characteristics. Natural wood can vary in hardness and appearance of grain. Characteristics Oak is a durable and sturdy alternative appreciated for its beautiful grain. Walnut is preferred for ornate work such as carved wooden mirrors since it holds intricate work without chipping. Mahogany is high-priced since it is an exotic species with a warm and rich appeal. Cherry, pine and maple are some of the other commonly used species. Choose wood species to meet the required styling of the furniture item, the room décor and the budget implication. It is also important to make responsible selection by avoiding endangered species or choosing wood from sustainable forests.

Styles and availability

Real wood furniture may be in solid wood. It may be sold as ready-to-assemble units which are packaged in flat packs and provided with assembling instructions. Such types increase the affordability of the furniture. Real wood Real wood veneers may also be applied on plywood or particle boards and also reduce costs while offering the appearance of wood. Ready-to-assemble furniture may be bought from furniture retail stores. Some retailers may deal in a single type of wood species while others may offer a larger selection. Custom furniture may be commissioned from carpentry businesses to suit personal preferences. Prices Remember that prices will vary according to wood species, styling, features, workmanship and carving.

Construction

When buying real wood furniture, pay good attention to construction quality. The durability of joints is critical to the life of the furniture. While oak is a very strong wood type, the load bearing ability of a solid oak bookcase will also depend on the joints. Inspection Check the piece for overall stability and balance. This is particularly important for wooden chairs and solid beds where uneven workmanship can have annoying results. Inspecting the hardware needs to be carried out thoroughly. Check glides and stops for drawers used in bedroom chests, oak wardrobes or pine wardrobes. Custom furniture Custom furniture allows more secure jointing between members by using tried and tested wood jointing details like dovetailing for ensuring rigidity and strength. Thorough inspection is the key to buying real wood furniture.