Sure, a table made from stainless steel or even painted iron or aluminum will be strong. But none of these has the same look, and wood does not rust or oxidize as metals do. Stainless steel is an exception, in that it retains its brightness. However, while there is a place for stainless steel furniture, few would want to furnish an entire dining room or sitting room using it.

Wood furniture should be an attractive addition to any room in your household, not an eyesore waiting to happen. By performing some research and inspection of your potential furniture pieces, you’ll be able to find the perfect furniture pieces to complement your houses interior decoration and your household budget.

Wood has a warmth to it that you can feel. There is no substitute for the feel of the grain and warmth of genuine wood – even if that is only a thin veneer of walnut over white oak, plywood or particleboard. There is something about the look of wood furniture that no synthetic material can match.

There are many types of furniture on sale in American furniture stores. You can purchase modern tubular steel pieces or the molded plywood furniture designed and constructed by George and Ray Eames in the 1940s. Plastic and fiberglass furniture came in the 1950s and 60s. Much of that original stuff is worth a fortune now.

2. Wood Thickness. Consider the thickness of the pieces of wood used. Stock lumber is most often milled to ¾” making this the industry minimum standard to maintain integrity and overall strength in wood for furniture building. This ¾” minimum has a tendency to become “wobbly” over time. Yes, all wood swells, shrinks and loosens, however, chairs made of ¾” stock seem to have a more significant “wobble effect.” Try looking for furniture made from 1″ stock.

Oak: another hardwood that is used for manufacturing furniture pieces. It is also resistant to moisture.

Reclaimed wood furniture is constructed with wood salvaged from old structures such as barns, textile mills, and warehouses. One of the greatest benefits of this type of furniture is that by reusing old wood, existing forests are preserved. Preserving forests helps to reduce global warming and protects habit for other living species. Along with the important environmental and ecological benefits, reclaimed wood furniture is typically inexpensive, durable, and can add unique character to any home or office.

There are preventative measures you can take to stop your furniture from getting damaged. One of these measures is the use of wax to protect the surface of the wood. Before embarking on using wax it is important to note the type of finish on your piece of furniture and if a particular wax would complement or damage your furniture. The item may become develop a dull surface after using wax several times and so it is wise to seek the advice of professionals.

1. Type of wood. When selecting wood furniture, first ask what type of wood is used and if the wood is solid stock or laminate. Each species of wood has different characteristics and reactions to the environment. Consider your weather, temperatures and sun exposure when selecting outdoor furniture. No matter which wood you choose, ask about its characteristics so you know what is required to maintain it before you buy. Cedar has been rated as the ‘best’ wood for outdoor furniture. Its natural oils make Cedar the most resistant to weather, water and insect infestation. Cedar is also naturally more stable and lighter in weight than other woods. It can be stained or simply left natural. Untreated Cedar has the same qualities as stained Cedar. Just note that untreated or natural Cedar will “silver out” or grey in a season or two.

One aspect of wood furniture that no one can argue or dispute about is the fact that they are the most elegant of all the types of furniture. Nothing shows class to your clients than a beautifully crafted mahogany or teak wood table in your office or conference room. Chic, stylish, elegant are all adjectives that are absolutely appropriate for wood furniture. Many top level executives of companies from CEOs to managing directors prefer having high quality wood furniture in their office spaces just to show power and style to their colleagues, clients and even competitors.