Why Wooden Furniture Could be The Perfect Fit
Creating an inspired space takes the right combination of elements. There are accessories and art and lighting and a plethora of textiles, but the pieces that build the foundation from which a room is built are upholstered pieces and casegoods. I’ll take every chance I get to talk about upholstery since it marries my loves of functional art, handmade products, and textiles, but it’s time to let wood furniture shine!
Investing in furniture can be a significant financial decision. It’s a big decision regardless of your budget as the pieces you purchase impact the overall aesthetic of your space. While there are various options available in the market, wood furniture has always been a classic and timeless choice that offers both durability and beauty to a room. With a wide range of styles and finishes available, investing in wood furniture can be an excellent way to elevate the look and feel of your home or office, while also providing long-term value – and pieces to be passed down through generations.
In this blog post, we will explore a few of my favorite benefits of choosing to invest in wood furniture.
This display case is as beautiful as the items arranged inside of it.
Quality Wood Furniture Lasts a Lifetime
Buying cheaply made furniture may save you money at the time, but we all know it will cost you more in the long run. Here’s a tip to help you justify the investment in a piece you are considering: when estimating the value of a piece, look beyond the sticker price and instead estimate the cost per use (CPU) of an item over its lifespan. If you compare the purchase price to the number of years that a high-quality piece is likely to remain in use, wood wins every time.
When I say that wood furniture can last a lifetime, that’s really selling a lot of pieces short. Many wood tables, chests and cabinets last many lifetimes, being passed down from generation to generation. I’ve been fortunate to have been given a beloved hope chest and dining room pieces used by my great grandparents and I love them more every year!
This sturdy antique buffet piece will last a lifetime with proper care
Wood Tones are One of a Kind
One of our favorite things about designing with wood is its one-of-a-kind character. From an investment standpoint, wood scores definite points for uniqueness. Even if a table is made from the same species of wood, every piece of furniture will ultimately look different from the next because the grain and natural tones of the wood are unique to each individual tree from which the lumber is sourced. Incorporating wood tones are a subtle way to bring the distinctive textures of the outdoors, in!
Natural wood brings the outdoors in
Wood Pieces are Versatile
Truly nothing beats the versatility of wooden furniture. Pieces like chests of drawers are so flexible – they can work tucked into a nook or a hallway, serve as a dresser or as nightstands (for those of us with small closets). A great console can welcome guests in an entryway one year, divide a room and display gorgeous lamps behind the sofa the next, only to be tucked into a nook the following year for a fresh work-from-home space.
One of the hardest working pieces in our home can be found in the nursery! My son’s changing table is a wood piece I picked up from the shop that will be perfect for an entryway (someday).
Versatile wood pieces, like this desk, can work in a multitude of spaces in your home
Wood Tones are Playful
Wood’s ability to mix, mingle and blend is unmatched. Like I’ve shared in a previous post, using multiple wood tones in a room creates flow and movement. I firmly believe that when executing a design, wood pieces are things you can play with. A stained piece of wood furniture, or one painted in a neutral black or white, can move freely through many a space, something that not every piece of furniture with a bold color or specific pattern can offer.
Wood tones add organic character to a design
Wood is Easy Maintenance
The last, but certainly not least, benefit of investing in wood furniture is its easy maintenance! Most wood furniture can be easily maintained by simply periodically wiping it down with a damp cloth then wiping away remaining moisture with a dry cloth. We recommend that you use cotton, as synthetic fibers can cause surface scratches on soft woods and finishes. When considering a wood piece, be sure to ask your designer if it comes with any special cleaning instructions as some specialty finishes require a little extra TLC. As with anything you buy, misuse and little accidents can create damage over time – which is why we always keep coasters on hand in our living room (even if our kiddo never takes the hint!).
A cane coffee table might require more care than the average wood piece but adds a unique chinoiserie twist to this living room
Now is the perfect time to start looking for new wood furnishings! Our 20% off Wood Furniture Sale is going on through March 15th, which means the showroom is packed with both new and antique one-of-a-kind wood furniture pieces ready to find new homes! Not sure where to start? Our designers are here to help! Until next time – happy decorating!