In the realm of furniture making, wood has always been the primary material to be used by craftsmen and artisans since time immemorial. The reasons are simple and clear. Wood has inherent characteristics which make it the most suitable material for crafting highly durable furniture in a variety of designs and styles. The wood’s natural beauty featuring grains, colour variations, and textures help artisans create unique and visually appealing units that not only offer timeless beauty but also provide ultimate comfort.
Though we understand the importance of wood in the furniture-making industry, it becomes a challenge to choose high-quality wood that does not cost you an arm and a leg. With the availability of a variety of woods, there are certain options that win hands down in terms of durability, workability, aesthetics, and cost. From teak wood furniture to the units crafted using oak, Sheesham, and mango, in this post we will explore all these ideal woods which are popular for their inherent qualities.
When it comes to selecting wood for furniture, every buyer focuses on affordability and quality. As we acknowledge the importance of both, we will try our best to provide insights into various wood types that strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and high-quality attributes. Let’s take a read and enlighten yourself:
What Are the Characteristics of a Quality Wood for Furniture Making?
What makes a particular type of wood suitable for crafting furniture units? Well, there are several characteristics that make a wood highly preferred for creating pieces which are long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing. Some of the primary ones are mentioned below:
Strength & Durability: Furniture is a long-term investment, and thus buyers expect their units to serve them for at least a decade. Therefore, online furniture stores need to make use of high-quality wood which should be highly durable. Perhaps that is the reason why oak wood furniture, Sheesham and teak are trusted by buyers. These types of woods are able to withstand pressure, wear, and weathering without easily succumbing to damage or decay.
Low Risk of Damage: The high-quality woods do not warp or crack due to high temperature or humidity. They do not change their shape and size when coming into contact with the vicissitudes of climate change.
Workability: Craftsmen and skilled artisans prefer using those woods which are easy to work on. These woods can be shaped and carved using the tools and techniques so that furniture makers can create incredible designs that align with the distinctive interior decor designs.
Timeless Beauty: A high-quality wood will always feature the natural wood’s grain, colour, and texture that will contribute to the visual appeal of the furniture units. The easiest way to spot whether or not the wood is of supreme quality is its appearance exhibiting fine grains, unique patterns, and appealing colors. All of these attributes together enhance the aesthetic value of furniture.
Sustainability: Top-quality woods are harvested responsibly to ensure no damage is caused to forests and our ecosystem. Also, the woods are recycled and reused with minimal upkeep and repair. In this modern day and age, several authentic furniture stores are becoming aware and conscious of choosing woods for crafting units as they are sustainable and protect our planet from wastage.
Finishing Treatment: A good-quality wood will not get affected by the way it is processed, treated, or finished. Its level of durability and aesthetics will remain the same. Thus, many Sheesham wood furniture stores keep this factor in mind.
Explore the Popular Wood Types Used in Furniture Making
In your quest for the popular woods commonly used in making furniture units, you will find a variety of woods which are known for distinctive characteristics and qualities. To know about each of them, read further:
Oak
The oak wood furniture is extremely popular amongst the space owners who want to buy furniture units which are strong and will continue to serve them for future generations. Oak stands as a highly trusted wood to make furniture as it offers durability and strength. As this wood is mainly divided into two types- white and red, this wood features prominent grain patterns which furniture makers use to create different styles of furniture units.
The white oak wood is extensively used to create mission-style pieces because of their golden shades and resistance to moisture. On the other hand, the red oak wood has distinct grains used to create rustic designs and traditional oak wood furniture pieces. From a 3 seater oak wood sofa set to cabinets and center tables, this wood is used to make heavy-use units which are considered as a long-term investment.
Sheesham (Indian Rosewood)
The qualities of Sheesham, also known as Indian Rosewood, are plentiful as this wood not only offers durability & strength but also ensures that each piece crafted using it looks incredibly beautiful because of the distinctive grain patterns. From golden brown to reddish brown, this wood boasts a warm and refined appearance which makes the furniture pieces even more welcoming and inviting for the ambience. These varying shades allow the Sheesham wood furniture units to harmonise with a variety of interior decor themes and styles. Besides the charming visual appeal and aesthetics, Sheesham has a natural resistance to termites and decay.
This is one of the prominent reasons why homeowners prefer it over other types of wood when it comes to choosing furniture for their spaces. Whether you are looking for a Sheesham wood high headboard bed or cabinets, dining tables, and chest of drawers, make sure you buy these units online from an authentic furniture store. If you choose this wood, then you will also find some marvellous pieces with intricate carvings and ornate detailing as this wood can be easily shaped, cut, and carved to create interesting designs inspired by traditional cultures and ancient artistic designs.
Teak
The list of the most popular woods in furniture making remains incomplete unless we talk about Teak. Celebrated for exceptional durability and natural resistance to decay and rot, the teak wood furniture is not just ordinary furniture but a work of art in your home. This type of wood has its origins in Southeast Asia, and features the beautiful golden-brown hues which deepen with the passage of time. It showcases an elegant and timeless appeal which can elevate the look of any room instantly. Exhibiting weather-resistant properties, this wood is not only used to make indoor furniture pieces but also to make outdoor furniture pieces for patios and gardens. You can find an incredible amalgamation of teak wood and rattan furniture, such as garden benches, decks, and patio sets. A solid teak wood and rattan bedside table and even chairs are mostly used in households to bring inside the touch of outdoors. As teak is acknowledged as the most durable wood for making robust and stable units, it is widely used to create indoor as well as outdoor furniture pieces. So, if you are living in a part of the world wherein you often struggle with harsh weather conditions, then make sure you choose teak wood furniture.
Mango
As the name suggests, this wood comes from the mango tree. These trees are mainly grown in tropical regions such as South Asia. It is a sustainable choice for making furniture as the wood is derived from trees that no longer bear fruit. Then these trees are replanted for sustainable harvesting. Being an environmentally-friendly choice, many furniture stores prefer to use it for crafting marvellous pieces that turn ordinary spaces into extraordinary havens. Exhibiting a wide range of colours with streaks and speckles, the mango wood furniture units look incredibly stunning as they boast light golden hues and darker browns which harmonise with any type of decor style and interior designs. Offering a natural and unique aesthetic value, this type of wood also possesses an interlocking grain pattern with a texture that never fails to add character and depth to furniture units.
Other than the beauty and grace, the versatility and workability of mango wood also make it a popular choice. The artisans and craftsmen can work with this wood to create finest, intricate carvings and designs on the surface. These pieces with ornate detailing add oodles of timelessness and sophistication to the interiors with classic and traditional themes. When it comes to cost and pricing, mango wood is often preferred over other types of woods as it is affordable. Whether you wish to buy a mango wood bookshelf or a center table for your living room, you can buy whatever you want from an authentic furniture store operating online. This way, you will be able to pick the one of your choice from the comfort of your home after considering a variety of design options. No doubt, mango is not as dense and strong as other hardwoods, but still it is reasonably durable and is used for crafting many furniture units.
All these types of high-quality woods have distinct characteristics, thus before you choose the wood, make sure you are well-informed about each of them and hold knowledge about their inherent attributes.
Affordable Wood Options for Budget-Conscious Buyers
In this post, we have already explored the most popular and high-quality woods which are used extensively for furniture making in India. But as we want you to be aware of the affordable wood options as well, here we have mentioned in detail about the budget-friendly woods keeping buyers’ spending capacity in mind.
Pine
As pine wood is easily available in India, it costs lower than several other types of woods. Undoubtedly it is not as durable and strong as hardwoods, but its affordability makes it popular amongst the homeowners with budget constraints. It features light colour and knots that give a rustic and casual visual appeal to the furniture units.
Plywood
By bonding thin layers of wood veneer, this material is used to give support to other wood pieces. It is definitely not the primary material to craft furniture units but offers strength and stability to furniture items, such as bookshelves, cabinets, and table tops. Its affordability and versatility make it a useful material in the furniture making industry.
Rubber wood
Due to its sustainable nature and cost-effectiveness, rubber wood is used by many furniture makers. You must be wondering how rubber wood is considered to be an eco-friendly choice? Well, when rubber trees reach the end of their latex-producing life cycle, they’re harvested for their wood. The smooth finish of this wood is often used in mid-range furniture units, such as dining sets, chairs, and occasional tables.
Engineered Wood Products
Besides plywood, engineered wood is also a budget-friendly option which is made by wood fibres and particles. They are mostly used in making shelves, cabinets, and furniture frames.
These are the affordable wood options but they are certainly not the durable ones that promise to last longer and ensure beauty along with versatility. Having said that, they are still used by furniture makers as they are cost-effective and attractive.
How to Choose the Right Wood for Your Furniture Needs?
Should I buy teak wood furniture or beautiful pieces crafted using oak or any other wood? If this question is hovering over your head, then let us make it easy-peasy for you. By considering these factors in mind, you can make the best selection of wood. The choice should align with your decor preferences, budget, and the specific requirements of your furniture. Here’s a proper guide to help you out:
Find the Purpose
Ask yourself- ‘what’s the purpose and function of the furniture piece?’ Is it going to be used on an everyday basis like a study table or a bed or are you buying a small table to fill an empty corner for a decorative purpose to keep a flower vase? The answer will surely help you focus on choosing a wood quality, durability, and longevity.
Budget Consideration
Budget is one of the biggest factors to keep in mind. If your budget allows you to buy solid woods, such as oak, Sheesham, and teak, then go for them. Otherwise, you can also consider options which are less expensive like a mango wood or engineered wood which offer durability and beauty as well on a budget.
Consider Combinations
You can even consider buying furniture crafted with a mix of solid wood, veneers, and rattan. They not only add an element of nature to the ambience but are also cost-effective for the buyers.
Keep Aesthetics in Mind
If you are buying a furniture unit like a sofa set which is supposed to be kept in the living room, then make sure you choose a 3-seater oak wood sofa as it offers both- durability & aesthetics as well. Check the colour, grain pattern and texture so that you buy a piece that looks aesthetically appealing.
Assess Durability and Strength
Like we said earlier, consider the purpose of furniture and if it’s a long-term investment, then consider the durability and strength. Choose the type of wood with an ability to withstand wear, moisture, and damage.
We hope you are aware of the different wood types used by furniture stores in crafting stunning pieces. Visit Nismaaya Decor as it is one of the leading online furniture stores in India. Explore their vast collection and select the pieces that complement your decor preferences, ensure longevity, and are available in a competitive price range.