Trends in Wood Furniture
Wood furniture is always in style. Sturdy, timeless, and (usually) eco-friendly (because trees ARE renewable), wood furniture has now moved beyond dining room tables and chairs. Below are some of the more notable trends:
Recycled wood – Unlike synthetics, wood can be re-purposed. An old couch can become a new coffee table, or even vice versa. One enterprising North Dakota businessman is even recycling old barns into furniture and signs.
Contemporary flair – This is not your grandfather’s wood furniture. Designers are incorporating a variety of woods to craft very modern looks for your living space.
Sustainability – It’s not just a buzz word anymore. Consumers want to limit their impact on the environment, and designers are starting to catch on. Visit the Sustainable Furnishings Council to find a designer near you.
Of course, before you buy any wood furniture, it is worth determining which wood, um, would look best in your home. You can look here for a complete summary , and below are some of the more popular options in contemporary furniture:
Oak: One of the strongest woods commonly available, oak has long been a fixture in solid furniture and for veneers (shielding weaker particle board or other compressed woods in less expensive furniture).
Teak: A contemporary staple of Danish furniture. Admired for its color contrasts, it tends to be quite expensive, and is especially popular in modern style furniture.
Poplar: Lightweight and not at all durable, poplar is better left to kitchen utensils.
Cherry: Another wood that has seen resurgence of late. Its deep color is often used for accent pieces and frames, but also for showpiece furniture. It ain’t cheap, but the high quality and resonant beauty make for a lasting piece of furniture.
What trends have you noticed of late? Feel free to share.
