Like a blank canvas, an empty room can loom in front of you as either an opportunity or a challenge. You might have an idea of the material or aesthetic you want to use, but when there are so many types of wooden furniture on the market, how do you make that all-important decision?
Enter this handy guide to the different furniture wood types available. We understand that when it comes to curating furniture, your choices can make or break a design scheme. You’ll want a pulled-together look that feels cohesive and at the same time reflects what makes you tick.
Read on to learn about the best wood for furniture when it comes to characteristics such as durability, aesthetics and, of course, sustainability.
Getting the type of wood right
It goes without saying that it’s essential to get your furniture right the first time. Not only will it become the backdrop to your home, but it has to meet your needs with its functionality.
The last thing you want is to make the expensive mistake of picking something that loses its charm in a matter of weeks, and especially when the logging of forestry products accounts for 26% of forest loss.
We need to be more careful than ever to avoid contributing to unnecessary waste, whether that be via an interior design scheme gone wrong or unsustainable logging. And we can do this by picking the right wood for the job.
Hardwood vs softwood: the key differences
The best wood for your furniture will depend on your personal requirements for style and practicality, but we can make a start by taking a look at the two primary types of wooden furniture: hardwood and softwood.
Identifying features of hardwood
Hardwood is sourced from angiosperms such as oak, mango and walnut. These trees flower and lose their leaves annually and generally grow much slower than softwood varieties. They are so dense many types of hardwood won’t float in water and will sink to a riverbed.
You may have noticed that hardwoods tend to be more expensive and are generally darker in colour. They also boast a good resistance to fire and scratching, so may be more suitable for pet owners.
Identifying features of softwood
Softwood, on the other hand, comes from more fast-growing tree species such as pine, cedar and spruce. These are gymnosperms, or in simple terms, they are coniferous evergreen trees that bear seeds.
Softwood species, as well as growing more rapidly than hardwood trees, are easier to fell as they tend to be less dense. Their long and straight shape also makes it a simpler task to cut long, straight planks from the wood.
Our favourite types of hardwood
Oak
Oak has it all: a classic and timeless aesthetic that will lend to any design or colour scheme, a natural resistance to fungal attacks as well as a density that makes it one of the strongest types of wood for furniture.
- Colour – light to medium brown or reddish browns depending on the variety
- Density – very dense and sturdy
- Grain – varied patterns, porous and easily cleaned
- Popular uses – furniture such as sideboards and cabinets, flooring and panelling
- Finish – natural or oiled
Mango
You can create a designer-worthy interior by mixing in a dash of mango wood. Both extremely hard-wearing and boasting a beautiful texture and finish, this hardwood practically commands your attention when walking into a room
- Colour – golden brown
- Density – highly dense
- Grain – distinctive and varied grain
- Popular uses – flooring, kitchenware, veneer and small furniture items such as coffee tables
- Finish – polished or waxed to prevent dehydration
Acacia
Another incredibly durable wood, Acacia lasts lifetimes, ideal if you want to collect heirlooms that will be in your family for generations. Not only does it hold together strong, but because of its grain and durable composition, Acacia wood is also very scratch-resistant.
- Colour – white to pale yellow, and warm browns depending on species
- Density – dense and resistant to moisture
- Grain – both pronounced or subtler grains
- Popular uses – flooring and furniture pieces including tables
- Finish – dramatic and beautiful grain
Popular types of softwood
Pine
Pine is a popular choice as it is cheaper than most types of wood. It may be versatile and more affordable, but it isn’t as strong as a hardwood might be.
- Colour – yellowish-brown to pale creams or browns, ideal for staining
- Density – medium
- Grain – knotty rustic appearance
- Popular uses – furniture such as desks and bed frames, for low impact areas of the home
- Finish – stained and sealed
Cedar
Cedar is known for its earthy and aromatic scent that repels insects and fungal attacks. This scent paired with its lower density, mean that cedar is more often used for outdoor furniture than furnishing home interiors.
- Colour – reddish-brown to yellowish-brown
- Density – hard texture but lightweight
- Grain – straight yet knotted grain
- Popular uses – fence posts and outdoor furniture
- Finish – oiled
MDF
MDF is a manufactured economy wood, making it a cheap alternative to natural wood. Although not as durable as real wood, it is lightweight, capable of bearing heavy loads and insulates well. Unfortunately, it fails to hold nails or screws well.
Veneer
Veneer is a term used to describe any thin layer of wood. Typically, veneer is used to cut down on costs whilst maintaining the attractive, finished appearance of wood when the wood hasn’t been used for the main structure.
Which are best for durability?
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth saying that hardwood is structurally denser and therefore more durable and heavy-duty than softwood. That’s why you’ll often see hardwoods such as oak as common sofa materials for their legs and frame.
But what about outdoor furniture? You see, this is where the tables turn.
Generally speaking, softwoods are more suited to outdoor use as they lack the vessels and denser fibres of hardwood. For this reason, softwood is non-porous, meaning that the wood won’t warp and rot as easily. You can even go a step further by opting for Cedar with its antiseptic properties.
Which are best for aesthetic?
This is a difficult one, after all, it all comes down to personal taste. The rustic finish of oak makes a beautiful and homey addition to a country style living room, whilst the unique wood grain of mango wood pieces is an exciting way to elevate a chic modern interior.
Depending on the furniture piece, you can also opt for different finishes: natural, smoked, painted and everything in between. And if you ever get bored of the look, upcycling your wooden furniture is always an option!
What about environmental impact?
There’s a wide-reaching misconception that because trees can be replanted, they must be a completely sustainable source of energy and materials – but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
We should always be conscientious about how and where different furniture wood types are sourced. Some types of wooden furniture are better for standing the test of time and some produce far fewer emissions over their life cycle.
Environmental credentials to look out for
In short, when you are looking at the best wood for furniture in terms of sustainability you should consider these 5 key aspects.
- Growing and logging practices – is the wood sustainably sourced?
- Manufacturing of the wooden furniture – what mileage and transport emissions are involved?
- Usage and lifespan – how long will the furniture last? Is it designed to fall apart?
- End-of-life – will the item be recyclable?
Which types of wooden furniture are best for the environment?
Oak
Not only is oak furniture built to last, but oak wood is grown throughout Europe in France, Germany, Croatia, and Poland to name a few countries. By nature, oak is a natural and renewable resource, but we suggest buying oak furniture sourced from sustainable and FSC-certified forests near the UK to reduce its impact.
Mango
Mango wood is harvested as an agricultural by-product after the trees have finished bearing fruit. This type of wood is a strong yet flexible tropical wood, which can be harvested after 15 years of growth. This shorter rotation and additional value as a fruit provider makes it a more sustainable option than others.
Acacia
Acacia trees are hardy plants and are known for being highly adaptive, and because of this they grow fast and will take to almost any soil – pesticides are rarely necessary.
A downside, however, is that Acacia is typically grown in tropical and subtropical regions such as Africa, Asia and Australia. As big air miles = big emissions, this isn’t the most sustainable choice – but it’s still up there!
Pine
Like oak, pine is grown throughout Europe and is a native species to the UK. For this reason, pine can be a great sustainable option that helps support British business.
Find your match made in heaven
Et voila! Everything you could ever want to know about the types of wooden furniture with which to furnish your home. We hope we’ve left you with enough to chew on so you can make an informed decision that keeps you smiling for years to come.
