Home Design 101: Hardwood Furniture
Your dream home won’t be complete without the right furniture, and spending on quality, aesthetically pleasing hardwood furniture is highly recommended. Although quite expensive, it is durable and easy to care for, making it a worthwhile investment.
Oxford defines furniture as “large movable equipment, such as tables and chairs, used to make a home, office, or other space suitable for living or working.” Simply, their goal is to make life easy and comfortable. Wood is a basic element in the creation and design of furniture. It is an important factor in determining the strength and beauty of the final product. Craftsmen’s and woodworkers’ products can be made from softwood or hardwood furniture.
Generally, hardwood is harder than softwood. However, this is not always true, as the main distinction does not lie in the level of strength or hardness of the wood, but in the way the wood is produced. Hardwood is an angiosperm, which reproduces through flowers, while softwood is a gymnosperm, which reproduces through seeds. Hardwoods have more complex structures compared to softwoods. It can be characterized by the presence of pores. Aside from furniture making, hardwood is also used for fuel.
It is interesting to note that when you study furniture design you will find that one way to explain the history of furniture is to categorize it according to the dominant wood species at a given time and the three groups identified are hardwood varieties: the Oak Age, the Walnut Era and the Mahogany and Satinwood Era. This just proves that hardwood furniture can transcend time. The design may vary but the vital ingredient is always the same.
Examples of wood species used to make hardwood furniture are ash, birch, cherry, mahogany, maple, oak, poplar, teak, and walnut. Those made of ash will likely be pale brown in color, while mahogany will have a reddish-brown to deep red tint. Poplar is quite a bit softer than other varieties of hardwood. Among the wood species available, oak is the most used wood.
Artisans can create the best hardwood furniture for your home, but it’s still up to us to make sure it retains its natural beauty. Here are some recommended techniques to increase the life of your hardwood furniture:
1. Use an appropriate wax polish to help the wood acclimate to its surroundings. Fresh wood contains a lot of water and lumber companies take a long time to make sure the wood dries properly by retaining a certain amount of moisture needed for the wood to breathe. Using the right wax will nourish the wood and help it retain its natural beauty. It is recommended to apply the wax immediately after receiving the wooden furniture, then repeat the process every three months. Remember to use the proper polish and don’t just use any solvent or cleaning material as it can damage wooden furniture.
2. Use placemats, table mats, coasters and the like to protect the surface of wooden furniture from spills. Wipe up spills and wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth immediately so that no unnecessary marks are visible on the surface.
3. Lastly, consider the location where you will place your wood furniture. Direct sunlight and exposure to heating and air conditioning ducts cause discoloration of the finish.
Wood furniture offers the best value for your money. With proper care, they will last for generations.