Three Durable Furniture Materials Worthy of Your Investment
Shopping for furniture without breaking the bank and ensuring longevity can be a challenge. Considering factors like your budget, space, and style, the task becomes even more daunting. But worry not, here's a rundown of materials experts recommend for your next furniture hunt, focusing on durability, quality, and sustainability.
- Solid Woods: Rob Natale, Chief of Design at Sixpenny, vouches for solid woods as a timeless choice. These pieces exude character and appeal that mass-produced furniture lacks. Mahogany and teak, according to Whit Barnes, president and director of sales at Wildwood, are top contenders for their strength and charm.
- Metals: Metals like steel, high-quality aluminum, and galvanized iron are sturdy and versatile options, suitable for both indoors and outdoors. Powder-coated metals are especially recommended for their durability, while vintage pieces like patina-ed metal finishes offer a unique and timeless aesthetic.
- Durable Fabrics: High-quality canvas, performance fabrics, and ethically sourced cowhide leather are preferred for upholstery due to their resilience and ability to age gracefully. If you're on a budget, consider plant-based vegan leather alternatives, which can be just as durable yet less expensive.
When examining furniture pieces, experts emphasize the importance of focusing on the finer details.
Examine the Details
From sturdy hinges to well-crafted back-plates on sconces and kick-plates on chairs, these small details separate high-quality furniture pieces that last a lifetime from those that don't.
Feel and Touch the Piece
A well-crafted piece should feel substantial and solid, while the drawers and doors should open and close smoothly. Solid wood pieces, while pricier, are often an indicator of quality craftsmanship. Lastly, when considering furniture made of wood, avoid engineered woods like MDF, particleboard, or veneers, which tend to deteriorate faster and are lighter in weight.
By using these materials and keeping an eye for quality craftsmanship, you'll be well on your way to purchasing furniture pieces that will stand the test of time, fulfill your design needs, and contribute positively to the environment. Happy hunting!
Enrichment Data:
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Furniture Materials:
Incorporating eco-friendly materials into your furniture choices will not only support sustainability efforts but also provide durable and attractive pieces.
- Sustainably sourced bamboo: Rapidly growing with minimal environmental impact, bamboo matures in just 3–5 years, making it an excellent sustainable and budget-friendly option for modern furniture.
- Reclaimed wood: Using reclaimed wood reduces waste and environmental impact, while providing the same durability and aesthetic appeal as new wood.
- Recycled metals: Materials like aluminum and steel, when recycled, significantly lower the ecological impact compared to mining new raw materials and provide long-lasting structural integrity.
- Non-toxic finishes: Opt for finishes made from natural oils like linseed and tung oil, natural waxes like beeswax and carnauba, and water-based polyurethanes. These protect the furniture, enhance its beauty, and eliminate harmful chemical emissions.
Key Features for Eco-Friendly Design:
- Certifications: Look for certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) for wood and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for textiles. These ensure sustainable sourcing and responsible manufacturing.
- Non-toxic and VOC-free finishes: These protect both the environment and consumer health.
- Recycled and reclaimed materials: Using these materials reduces waste and lowers the carbon footprint of furniture production.
- With a focus on sustainability, incorporating furniture made from sustainably sourced bamboo can be an excellent and budget-friendly choice for modern homes, as bamboo matures quickly and has minimal environmental impact.
- Decorating your home with high-quality home accessories incorporating reclaimed wood contributes positively to the environment by reducing waste and maintaining the same durability and aesthetic appeal as new wood.
- Considering the longevity of your furniture purchases, opt for recycled metals such as aluminum and steel – not only do they provide structural integrity, but their use in furniture production significantly lowers the ecological impact compared to mining new raw materials.
