Room Concepts

Choosing the best wood species for furniture in your home isn’t as simple as picking out the wood you recognize. You’re investing in your home, so you’ll want to make sure that wood is durable and fits your style, needs and intended use. In this blog, we’ll focus on the best wood species for Amish furniture specifically as well as highlight a couple other top species that some North American manufacturers primarily use. Let’s start by learning about the most durable wood used for furniture in general. 

What Type of Wood is Most Durable for Furniture? 

There are two types of wood used to make furniture: solid wood and engineered/manufactured wood. These may sound familiar because these types of wood are also commonly used when creating wood floors, which lets you know they’re durable if they can stand up to the wear and tear our floors endure throughout their lifetime. 

Hardwood and softwood are the two types of solid wood used to make furniture. Hardwood is derived from trees that tend to grow more slowly. High quality furniture is most often made of hardwood, but durable furniture can also be made from softwood. Softwood is derived from trees that grow more quickly, usually evergreen. 

Engineered and manufactured wood is created by combining different types of wood together. Plywood is the most recognized form of engineered and manufactured wood and is made by combining thin slices of lumber together. Particleboard, also known as fiberboard, is another commonly used engineered and manufactured wood. It is created by gluing together tiny fibers of lumber created using a wood chipper. 

While furniture made of engineered and manufactured wood can be durable, you can’t compare it to furniture made of solid wood. At Room Concepts, all of our Amish-made furniture is handcrafted using solid wood, and these pieces of furniture can be made from a variety of wood species.

What Are the Best Wood Species for Furniture? 

Beyond the general types of wood used to create furniture, there are many species of wood used to be aware of. There are 6 common wood species used in Amish furniture that we’ll review, but oak, cherry and maple are often the most popular. We’ll also review two other common species of wood that some North American manufacturers use. Determining the best wood species for furniture will ultimately depend on your preferences and style.

6 Best Wood Species for Amish Furniture

1. Hickory

Hickory is a popular species of wood used when creating furniture, especially rustic-style furniture. This is because of the light and dark shades that are highlighted in its straight grain. However, it is also a very strong wood, which makes it ideal for furniture. 

2. Maple

There are many types of maple wood, so we’ll discuss the group as a whole. Maple is durable, withstanding the day-to-day use of furniture such as dining room tables, coffee tables, etc. An added benefit of maple? It comes in many grain patterns, allowing it to fit the style of many homes. Maple is one of the most common wood species used in Amish furniture.

3. Oak

Oak is one of the most durable wood species for furniture and is another one of the most common wood species for Amish furniture. There is red oak and white oak. Red oak is known as the gold standard of hardwood furniture. This is because it’s not only very solid, but it features an attractive grain that you can actually feel. White oak, on the other hand, is a premium oak option that is more expensive than red oak and showcases a beautiful grain based on how the logs are cut (the look is second to none). Oak could look great in any room with any decor due to its variety of stains and designs. 

4. Walnut

Walnut is a true classic for Amish furniture. It has a timeless and classy look. Walnut is almost always finished in a clear/natural stain that showcases its beauty and attractive variety of shades such as browns/chocolate to even shades of red, gray and purple. The rich color of walnut is one species of wood that is often used to create furniture meant to impress others. Since walnut is also hardwood, it is strong and durable. Yet you’ll find it is not as heavy as other types of wood. This makes it easier to rearrange as your needs change in your space. However it is one of the most expensive wood species you will find. 

5. Cherry

Cherry is another commonly used wood species in Amish furniture. It’s known as a more formal option due to its smooth, almost glass-like feel. Historically, cherry was usually finished in darker stains, but it is also very beautiful in natural finishes. Cherry is another wood species that is considered a premium choice, so the price will reflect that.

6. Elm 

Elm is a relatively new wood species in the hardwood furniture space. Elm has a beautiful twisted, interlocking grain to it, and it is a truly “hard” wood which makes it extra durable. Because of this, you might find that furniture made from elm often comes with a higher price tag as well due to its quality. 

Two Other Top Wood Species for Furniture Used by North American Manufacturers

1. Birch

Birch is a common hardwood found in North America, but yellow birch and white birch are the species most used when making furniture. The fine grain and pale coloring of yellow and white birch create an elegant look for furniture. If maintained properly, it does not decay, and its smooth finish and straight grain pattern remain a highlight for years. Canadel dining furniture uses birch wood in all of their furniture, and they have beautiful dining collections for any style that are sure to make a statement in your dining room. Shop our variety of Canadel dining furniture at Room Concepts. 

2. Alder

Alder is light in weight and will give a glass-smooth surface without requiring a grain filler. Alder wood is an attractive, close-grain species, with a nice uniform color and a fine texture. Alder is a relatively soft hardwood, and although it’s not the top species used in Amish furniture, it is still a popular choice due to its stability. Archbold uses alder wood for their furniture, and you can be sure you’re getting a durable piece of furniture that will maintain its beauty for years to come. Shop our variety of Archbold furniture at Room Concepts. 

Is Oak or Pine Better for Furniture? 

A lot of people ask whether oak or pine is a better wood species for furniture, and there are a number of things to consider. It’s not just about which is the least expensive. You’ll want to consider your lifestyle and the people who will use the furniture the most often.

Oak is more durable and less likely to show signs of wear and tear, in addition to needing less maintenance than other species of wood. It’s also versatile, meaning it can be used for chairs, beds, tables, and more. 

Pine is a stiff wood, making it more durable than other types of wood, though not as durable as oak. It’s easy to stain, making it a species of wood that can fit into any style of home. All in all, if you’re looking for the best wood species for furniture that is durable, you’ll want to choose oak over pine. 

How Do I Choose the Right Wood Species in My Furniture?

When determining the best wood species for furniture in your home, there are a couple things to consider. 

1. What Look Are You Going For? 

While the wood species we covered in this blog are all beautiful, durable options, they all differ in appearance. Narrow down your choices by focusing on the color and stain of the wood and if you want the furniture smooth or rough to the touch.

2. What’s Your Style?

If you already have existing furniture in your home, do you want the furniture you’re thinking of purchasing to match it? Do you want a rustic or modern vibe? These questions will help you narrow your choices down even further. 

No matter your style, Room Concepts provides high quality, customizable furniture to fit your space, with many configurable options and customized designs to meet your needs. Our Furniture Design experts are happy to help you create the perfect piece to add value and comfort to your home. Get in touch with our team today or stop into one of our Pittsburgh area showrooms in Whitehall or Wexford, PA to explore your options of wood and variety of handcrafted, solid wood Amish furniture.