Guide To Wood Furniture

Wood is one of the most commonly used materials in the world, and is still as popular as ever when it comes to furniture. Wooden furniture can add huge amounts of character to both traditional and contemporary rooms, becoming a mainstay within the furniture industry.

This simple guide gives an introduction into some of the different types of wood used in some of our products and some tips on how to look after and clean wooden furniture.

Types of Wood

Oak

Oak is a hardwood that is very abundant and, subsequently, one of the most popular types of wood used in furnishings. It is valued for its strength and attractive grain, which gives the wood prominent rays and streaks. Oak furnishings can come in both red and white oak, with the latter being more expensive.

Maple

Maple is extremely strong, dense wood that is ideal to withstand years of wear and tear. This hardwood is light brown with a straight grain with some natural swirls and twists. Maple is great for pieces that will undergo excessive wear.

Pine

Affordable and lightweight, pine is a cheaper yet less durable alternative to hardwood, such as oak and maple. Pine has come to be used in almost all types of furniture and is characterised by its style of knots and light colours, ranging from yellow to brownish orange. Pine blends well with other woods, making it a perfect match for existing wood pieces in your home.

Mahogany

Mahogany is a traditional favourite, and is one of the most treasured furniture woods in existence. Perfect for grand, traditional décor, mahogany is a firm favourite of those who have expensive taste. Ranging from medium brown to a deep red hue, any piece of furniture made using mahogany will definitely stand out in any room.

Ash

Ash is renowned for its ability to bend and its resilience. For this reason, this wood is commonly used in bent furniture parts requiring maximum strength, such as chairs. Ash varies in colour from creamy white to dark reddish brown and is priced moderately.

Wood Furniture Care

Never place warm plates, cups or dishes directly onto a wood table or cabinet as this will leave marks that will permanently stain the surface. Always use high quality coasters and place mats.
Make sure any spills are cleaned immediately. Any liquid, even water, can permanently damage the surface of a wood product.
Avoid placing the product in an area that is subject to intense sunlight or excessive heat. Too much sunlight or heat will cause wood furniture to unnaturally discolour. However, all timber finishers will alter when exposed to light. Woods such as pine, maple and beech will darken over time and others such as mahogany and cherry may lighten. This is a natural process and not a fault.
Take extra care when moving wood furniture. Do not push or pull tables, chairs or cabinets as this could cause the joints to weaken.
Dust wood furniture once a week. Do not use sprays when cleaning the surfaces, especially any containing silicone. Instead, use a good quality wax polish that won’t leave a film on top of the wood.