Wood furniture defies categorization, with designs ranging from ornate, classic styles to sleek, modern fashions. Aside from the structure, the appearance of wood furniture can vary even more depending on the wood type and finish. These options can make shopping for new furniture quite overwhelming. However, here’s a guide to help you understand more about the types of wood and their finishes. 

Types of wood for furniture

Soft and hardwood are the two main types of natural wood used for furniture. There are other manufactured wood types available. The first step in selecting the best wood for furniture in your home is determining which category best suits you based on its properties.

• Softwood

Softwood furniture is less durable than hardwood since it is lighter in weight and color. Softwood comes from evergreen fir trees that do not have an exterior layer to preserve their seeds. Softwoods are popular household furniture materials because they grow quickly and are easily processed, lowering costs.

• Hardwood

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees which shed their leaves in the winter and protect their seeds with a hard shell or a cushiony fruit, hence the term hardwood. Hardwood is not always harder than softwood, although the are typically denser and more porous. Because hardwoods are strong and lasting, they are often used to make furniture but are more expensive than other furniture materials.

• Manufactured Wood

Regardless of their artificial origins, manufactured wood can sometimes be as good as the real thing. It might not be easy to discern the difference between composite and solid modern wood furniture when coated with a high-quality veneer. Plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard are the three types of wood manufactured (MDF).

Types of Wood Finish

Varnish

It’s a clear and translucent wood finish made from drying oil, resin, and a thinner or solvent. Several varnish wood finishes are available, including lacquer, acrylic, alkyd, shellac, resins, and polyurethane.

Waxing

Waxing is a traditional wood finishing technique where you use a natural wax finish to cover the raw wood forming a protective layer. Most waxes are colorless and have no effect on the appearance of the wood; waxed wood will appear natural and untreated.

Stains

Stains comprise a pigment, a carrier, and a binder. The carrier aids in the penetration of the pigment into the surface while the binder holds it in place. Stain modern wood furniture, primarily made of oak and ash, looks quite elegant since this finish brings out the grain pattern.

Dye

Wood dye and stain have comparable color ranges. However, unlike stain, the wood dye penetrates deep into the wood to color the surface and the wood flesh. In addition, dyes are typically manufactured from a powdered pigment and a solvent, with no binding agent required. As a result, denser wood kinds benefit from dyeing.

Shellac

Shellac finishes look great on walnut, mahogany, and exquisite veneer products. However, it is not long-lasting and dissolves in water and solvents such as alcohol.

Oiled 

For this, you use oil to coat the wood. Since the oil is a liquid, it can penetrate the wood’s surface better. This provides better protection against liquids than wax and darkens the tone of the wood, giving it depth, richness, and warmth.

Choosing a finish for your wooden furniture can be daunting. There are numerous possibilities, each with its advantages and disadvantages. You should determine the finish you select by the aesthetic you want to create, the level of protection the piece requires, and the maintenance needed.