Shopping for new furniture can be exciting but also overwhelming with all the choices and varieties available on the market. There are several things you must take into consideration when picking out furniture, but an essential and often forgotten factor is the material. Choosing the right type of material is important because it will majorly affect aspects such as how your furniture feels, looks, how long it lasts and cost.
What material is your furniture made of?
Do you know what materials the furniture in your home is made of? You will be surprised to find that they are made of various materials. Let’s learn more about these materials!
Wood
Wood furniture has withstood the test of time and continues to be one of the most popular choices for home furnishings today. This is because wood furniture is strong, durable, and good-looking.
Furthermore, if properly cared for, wood furniture can last many years—even generations! Different types of wood are used to make different kinds of furniture. The type affects the cost as well as strength and appearance of each piece that’s created from it..
The most popular woods used in furniture making are oak, maple and cherry.
- Oak is a strong hardwood often used in making cabinets, tables and chairs. It is a popular choice for traditional-style furniture.
- Maple is also a strong hardwood that is often used in making furniture. It has a smooth grain that makes it a good choice for modern-style furniture.
- Cherry is a softer wood often used to make bedroom furniture, such as beds and nightstands. It has a warm reddish color that gives rooms a cozy feeling.
Wicker/rattan
Wicker/rattan furniture dates back hundreds of years. At that time, people used this reliable material to make various furniture, including chairs, sofas and beds. As time passed, wicker/rattan furniture was no longer the preferred furniture material because it was difficult to keep it clean and tidy.
Today, however, some people prefer this vintage material for furniture because of its unique look and texture. If you want something unusual for your furniture, consider using wicker/rattan.
Using wicker/rattan to make furniture is also an economical option. In contrast, making furniture using traditional wood is much more expensive. So if you want to save money on creating unique custom furniture, consider using wicker/rattan.
MDF/Plywood
MDF/Plywood is an affordable solution for modern home décor. It offers a basic look like wood but is more durable and easier to maintain than wood.
The material usually contains wood chips or other man-made materials and is glued together. This makes them ideal for making large, flat-surfaced furniture such as bookshelves, door panels and cabinets.
MDF/plywood furniture has good water resistance and durability, making it ideal for use in bathrooms or kitchens. In addition, these panels are very easy to repair if damaged, as the adhesive can re-enforce loose sections.
MDF/Plywood furniture is a popular furniture material choice in the market today because they not only reduce the cost of furniture making significantly but are also very durable and reliable.
MDF/Plywood’s affordable price has led to its widespread adoption in almost all prefabricated cabinets, functional doors, and bookcase designs, which are widely used, easy to use, process, assemble and consume less material.
Glass
A temporary glass furniture is a great option if you’re going for a modern interior look. You can find many different types of furniture made entirely out of glass, giving any room an elegant and classy touch. However, since glass is more fragile than most materials, there are some risks to consider before using it:
- Do not touch the glass surface directly with your hands
- Do not pull hard on doors
- Use drawers with care
- Do not stack heavy objects directly on the table
- Avoid using knives or sharp tools
- Be careful with fragile items
If you follow these precautions, you’ll be able to enjoy your glass furniture for a long time.
Acrylic
Acrylic furniture looks similar to glass, but it is an affordable option. Not only that, but it is also more durable and impact resistant compared to the most delicate quality safety glass.
Acrylic furniture is transparent or translucent, making it ideal for decorative purposes. Acrylic materials made from acrylic are harmless to humans and the environment, so there is no need to worry about health issues.
Furniture made with this material can also be recycled through recycling. Not only are acrylic products durable and easy to recycle, but they can be reused both in factories and at home.
Acrylic sheets can also be easily cut to the desired size and shape, making it easy to create unique, personalized furniture based on design requirements. Acrylic sheets made from acrylic can help reduce the consumption of large amounts of wood and help conserve land resources.
Steel
Steel and other materials like chrome and gold take center stage in modern, high-tech indoor spaces. Just like glass, some furniture is made entirely of steel, though it is not usually very popular.
Steel is extremely durable, so high-quality furniture can last for years without showing any wear and tear. It is also very easy to clean – a simple wipe with a damp cloth is all needed to keep it looking new.
Although steel furniture is pricier, it doesn’t radiate the same warmth as other materials. Therefore, this isn’t most people’s initial pick when stocking their homes.
Plastic
Plastic furniture is undeniably one of the most affordable options that can make you look beautiful from the outside and provide strength and durability. By combining aesthetics with utility, plastic furniture manufacturers have employed a number of high-tech methods to produce plastic furniture that can withstand everyday use.
Some of the reasons why plastic furniture is a great choice are:
- Plastic furniture is extremely lightweight, making it easy to move around.
- It is also weather resistant and does not fade or warp in sunlight or extreme heat.
- Plastic furniture is very easy to clean and maintain.
- Most importantly, it is very affordable and can last for years with proper care.
If you are looking for an attractive, durable and low-maintenance option for your outdoor furniture needs, then plastic furniture is the way to go!
Leather
Leather has a soft and elegant look and is widely used for furniture upholstery. Depending on the theme and design of your interior, it can provide you with a modern or classic interior look.
Leather is hard-wearing, resistant to protective impregnants and scratch resistant. Synthetic leather is not only textured but is usually more than half the price of faux leather.
Leather usually looks luxurious, so the leather is a smart choice if you want sophisticated leather furniture.
It is worth noting that both leather and synthetic leather can be easily damaged by daily use on furniture. To avoid this, the leather should be cleaned of dirt, oil and other foreign matter.
Fabric
Fabric is undoubtedly softer and gentler material for furniture upholstery. For the most part, the fabric is a delicate part of furniture used for seating arrangements such as chairs, sofas, stools, and footstools.
For those who prefer to use purely natural materials and those who are repelled by man-made synthetic materials, the use of fabric as a furniture upholstery material is particularly appealing.
For example, natural cotton, silk and hemp will often be used as furniture upholstery materials, and these natural fibers require relatively little energy and water in the manufacturing process.
In addition, fabric furniture made from natural fibers helps reduce dependence on the earth’s non-renewable resources.
However, it is best to choose durable, high-quality fibers to use fabric as a furniture upholstery material. This will ensure that the furniture will always maintain its original gorgeous appearance when decorated with fabric.
Wood + metal/steel
Generally, wood is a costly type of furniture material. Furthermore, since it is very heavy, furniture made from wood is difficult to move around; therefore, it is not the best option. Unless it is custom-made, having a steel frame with a wooden platform on top for support – to minimize cost and weight – is the preferred method for mass production.
Wood/steel/metal+fabric/leather
These combinations make up what is typically called soft furniture. In addition, some basic furniture has a wood/steel/metal frame with fabric or leather on top for a better look and a more sturdy feeling of comfort.
Plastic + Steel
While this might sound difficult, plastic and steel make for an excellent combination in furniture making. Steel provides strength, while plastic gives it a vibrant and fashionable look. Since they both bring durability, it can be combined with furniture, especially when choosing seat selections.
Depend on your budget.
If you have a considerable budget for furniture, you can consider buying a combination of wooden and leather furniture, depending on the items you purchase.
Solid wood furniture is excellent for beds, sofas, chairs, cutlery, tables, etc.. However, remember that solid wood furniture is usually more expensive than other types of furniture.
If you’re on a tight budget, you might opt for furniture made of cheaper materials such as particle board or laminate. These materials are often just as durable and long-lasting as solid wood, but they don’t come with the same price tag.
No matter what path you take, always compare rates before coming to a conclusion.
Consider the color and interior style of your place.
Analyzing your home in terms of style and color is important when choosing furniture. You don’t want the furniture to stand out like a sore thumb or look too small for the space.
Keep an eye out for elements like size, layout, wall and floor colors, and other room features to help you decide where to put each piece.
Another consideration is how often you plan to use the furniture. If you want something that will get a lot of use, make sure it is durable and easy to clean.
On the other hand, if you want something more decorative, have some flexibility with materials and surfaces.
Consider the Cleaning and disinfecting process.
Unless you love cleaning your furniture or are an expert on the subject, be mindful of what materials you choose for your furnishings.
Wooden furniture is a good choice because it is easy to clean and disinfect. You can simply use a damp cloth to wipe down the surface and remove any dirt or debris.
Glass or metal furniture may also be easy to clean, but you must be careful not to scratch the surface.
Fabric furniture can be more difficult to clean, but if you choose a machine washable fabric, it will be easier to maintain.
Keep in mind that some materials may require special care when cleaning, so be sure to read the care instructions before making your purchase.
Stay in tune with your personal style and lifestyle.
When choosing furniture, it is important to consider your style and how you live. Even if a piece looks great and doesn’t function well for your lifestyle, it is still a waste of money. So when picking out furniture material, be sure to take your own preferences into account.
- Assuming you prefer a more modern look, glass and chrome are always in style and will give any room an updated feel.
- If you have small children or pets, you may want to steer clear of these materials as they can be easily scratched or broken.
- Wood is a classic choice that can work with any style and is easier to maintain than other materials.
Wrapping Up
More important than the money you spend on furniture is that you feel satisfied with your purchase. Whether it’s your first time buying furniture or not, there is always an emotional connection involved.
We hope this guide has given you some helpful tips on choosing furniture for your home. And remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process!