When designing and developing furniture, one of the most important things you can do is understand and know what kind of furniture you will use and why you will use that wood.

Wood for furniture is divided up into hard and softwood. Though the woods have some similarities, they also have some differences. Different looks and types of furniture may require a certain kind of wood. Some wood species will be higher priced, and others will be cheaper; price, durability, look, color, finish, and structure can decide what wood to choose for your furniture piece.

Table of Contents

• Types Of Wood – Hard Vs. Softwood
• Differences Between Hard And Softwoods
• Basic Types Of Hardwood Used In Furniture Production
  • • Listen To Our Podcast Different Types Of Wood For Furniture Production below or by clicking here.
• Best Type of Softwoods Used In Furniture Production
• Related Content
  • Hardwood Solids Furniture, What Does The Term Mean?
  • Differences Between Solid Wood, Plywood, Pressboard, And OSB?
  • What is Solid Wood vs. Engineered Wood?

Types Of Wood – Hard Vs. Softwood

The types of wood used in furniture are usually hard or softwood. In general terms, hardwood comes from a deciduous tree that will lose its leaves annually.

Deciduous trees are usually slower-growing trees. Because the trees are slower growing, the hardwood is a more dense and stronger wood.

The softwoods come from a conifer tree, which usually means an evergreen tree. Evergreen trees do not lose their leaves.

Evergreen trees tend to grow faster, so a lot of the softwood is also a softer or less dense wood than many the hardwoods; as the name implies, softer wood.

But even between hardwoods and softwoods, there can be differences. For example, a softwood as a pinewood that grows in frigid climates can grow slower and be harder than some of the hardwoods that thrive in warmer temperatures.

Differences Between Hard And Softwoods

There are some basic differences between hard and softwood; understanding your wood can help you know your furniture wood choices.

Here is a chart to show some differences:

Basic Types Of Hardwood Used In Furniture Production

Hardwood is usually an excellent choice for furniture. The reason is that the wood is hard, so the furniture is a quality piece.

Hardwood ensures that the furniture has beauty and durability and will last a long time. That is why hardwood is the choice for most people for many higher-end pieces of furniture.

Here are some of our top choices of hardwood for furniture:

• Cherry Wood – Cherry wood is a beautiful wood that will look great on most furniture. Cherry is a very durable kind of hardwood, so it is often popular with furniture such as desks.

• Oak Wood – Oak Wood is also a great wood as it will take to many different kinds of finishes. Because of oak wood’s versatility, it also makes it a popular choice for furniture.

• Maple Wood – Maple wood is also an excellent wood for all kinds of furniture. It can also be found on a desk or table as Maple wood also takes to many different types of stains very well.

• Walnut Wood – Walnut wood is one of the toughest woods out there. Walnut wood also has a beautiful grain and character.

• Teak Wood – Teak wood is a popular wood for outdoor furniture. Teak wood does well in the outdoor setting and will naturally change colors in the sun.

• Mahogany Wood – Mahogany Wood is an incredibly strong wood with higher compression and bending strength. It is solid and durable wood. We have seen furniture used a lot in dining wood sets.

• Rubberwood – Rubberwood is considered medium-density hardwood. It is usually cheaper than other hardwoods, and it can also make some excellent furniture and take to the finishes very well.

Hardwood furniture is generally more expensive than softwood furniture, so many finer furniture items are made with hardwood.

Listen To Our Podcast Different Types Of Wood For Furniture Production below or by clicking here.

Best Type of Softwoods Used In Furniture Production

Many furniture pieces are also made using softwoods. There are particular looks in furniture that softwood will do best.

Softwood for furniture production is usually cheaper as softwoods are more accessible to obtain than some hardwoods. Softwood is also an easier wood to work with than some hardwood varieties.

Some people prefer softwoods such as pinewood, as they can have a rustic look and feel. Some designers like woods like pinewood as the woods have many natural knots in the wood.

Most softwood is susceptible to rot, cracking and splitting, and other water damage, so softwood is usually not advised for outdoor furniture. Usually, softwoods are fine for indoor furniture production.

Here are some of the most popular types of softwood used for furniture production

• Pinewood – There are many varieties and species of pine, so pine continues to be a popular choice for many furniture production. Pinewood can be very rustic looking and have some knots to add to its character.

• Cedar Wood – Cedar can also be a popular softwood for furniture production. One issue with some cedar is that it can dent easily, and also, the colors can fade to a grey color.

• Fir Wood – Firwood has a coarser grain than many other kinds of wood, so it does not take a stain or other woods. Firwood does hold well with adhesives.

• Spruce Wood – Spruce wood can also be a good wood for furniture. It is pretty inexpensive compared to some other woods and can give a nice look for some furniture.

• Red Wood – Red Wood has been used a lot in Furniture production. It is softwood with a red tint and a pretty straight grain. For some looks and types of furniture, it is an ideal wood.

The type of wood is between a hard or softwood, and then what kind of price, look, and quality you what for your your furniture piece. All these factors need to be considered for your furniture design.

If you are interested in seeing how Mondoro can be a valuable partner for you for wood furniture products – we would love to talk to you to see how we can help you.

Find out more about how Mondoro can help you create, develop, and manufacture excellent home decor and home furniture products – don’t hesitate to contact me, Anita. Check out my email by clicking here or become a part of our community and join our newsletter by clicking here.

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Related Content

Hardwood Solids Furniture, What Does The Term Mean?

Hardwood solids can include non-solid woods as engineered woods. Hardwood solids are used in furniture and other industries to classify what kind of wood is used in a product. The terms usually do not classify what type of wood is used.

You can discover more by reading Hardwood Solids Furniture, What Does The Term Mean? by clicking here.

Differences Between Solid Wood, Plywood, Pressboard, And OSB?

Solid wood is wood cut from a tree and made into products; plywood is considered engineered wood. Pressboard is made from paper, including recycled paper. OSB is also known as Oriented Strand Board, and because of its strength is used a lot in roofing, housing, and floors.

You can discover more by reading our blog Differences Between Solid Wood, Plywood, Pressboard, And OSB? by clicking here.

What is Solid Wood vs. Engineered Wood?

Solid wood is cut down from the tree, cut into wood boards, and then used for manufacturing. On the other hand, engineered wood is considered manmade as it is usually manufactured with wood chips or wood shavings and an adhesive. Today the manufacturing of engineered wood is extremely technical.

You can discover more by reading our blog All About Teak Wood And Outdod? by clicking here.