Your dream home will not be complete without the right furniture, and spending on quality, aesthetically pleasing hardwood furniture is highly recommended. Although it is 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.” Their goal is simply 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. The products of craftsmen and woodworkers 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 in which the wood is produced. The hardwood is an angiosperm, which reproduces through flowers, while the 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. Apart from making furniture, hardwood is also used as fuel.
It is interesting to note that when you study furniture design, you will discover 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 varieties of hardwood: 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 for making 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 tinge. Poplar is quite a bit softer than other hardwood varieties. Among the available wood species, oak is the most widely used wood.
Craftsmen 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 ensure that the wood is properly dried by retaining a certain amount of moisture necessary 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 upon receipt of the wood furniture, then repeat the process every three months. Remember to use the right polish and not use just any solvent or cleaning material as it can damage wooden furniture.
2. Use place mats, table mats, coasters, and the like to protect the surface of your wood furniture from spills. Blot up spills and wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth immediately so unnecessary marks are not visible on the surface.
3. Finally, consider the location in which you will place your wooden furniture. Direct sunlight and exposure to heating and air conditioning ducts will cause discoloration of the finish.
Wooden furniture offers the best value for money. With proper care, they will last for generations.