Your dream home won’t be complete without the right furniture, and spending on quality, aesthetically pleasing wooden furniture is highly recommended. Although it is quite expensive, it is durable and easy to care for, making it a worthy investment.

Oxford defines furniture as “large mobile equipment, such as tables and chairs, used to make a home, office, or other space suitable for living or working.” Quite simply, your goal is to make life easy and comfortable. Wood is a staple in furniture creation and design. It is an important factor in determining the strength and beauty of the final product. The products of artisans and woodworkers can be made from softwood or hardwood furniture.

Generally, hard wood is harder than soft wood. However, this is not the case all the time, as the main distinction lies not in the level of strength or hardness of the wood, but in the way it is produced. Hardwood is an angiosperm, which reproduces through flowers, while softwood is a gymnosperm, which reproduces through seeds. Hardwoods have more complex structures compared to softwood. It can be characterized by the presence of pores. Aside 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 furniture based on the dominant wood species at any given time and the three groupings identified are hardwood varieties: Oak Age , the Walnut Age and the Mahogany and Satinwood Age. This just goes to show that hardwood furniture can transcend time. The design may vary, but the vital ingredient is always the same.

Examples of wood species used to make 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 tint. Poplar is considerably softer than other hardwood varieties. Among the available wood species, oak is the most widely used wood.

Craftsmen can create the best wooden furniture for your home, but it is still up to us to ensure that it retains its natural beauty. Here are some recommended techniques to increase the life of your wooden furniture:

1. Use a suitable wax polish to help the wood adapt to its environment. Fresh wood contains a lot of water, and logging companies take a long time to ensure that the wood dries properly 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 after receiving the wooden furniture, then repeat the process every three months. Remember to use the proper polish and don’t just use any solvent or cleaning material as it can damage wooden furniture.

2. Use placemats, tablecloths, coasters and the like to protect the surface of wooden furniture from spills. Blot spills and wipe surface with a soft, damp cloth immediately so no unnecessary marks are visible on the surface.

3. Finally, consider the location where you will place your wooden furniture. Direct sunlight and exposure to heating and conditioning vents cause discoloration of the finish.

Hardwood furniture offers the best value for money. With proper care, they will last for generations.