What Furniture Materials Should You Use for Your Home?
Your personal style and preferences will play a major role in the type of furniture you select for your home, but there are also other factors to consider. The size of your home, your household members, your lifestyle, and even your climate can have an effect on the use and longevity of your furniture. Before making selections, you should decide on the furniture materials that will be best for you.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity because of the industrial decorating style. But in fact, stainless steel offers a sleek, classic look that blends with any décor, and better yet, it has practical benefits. Strong and sturdy, stainless steel can be used for furniture ranging from beds to dining sets.
Stainless steel is easy to clean and virtually maintenance-free. It’s also surprisingly environmentally friendly. Since it lasts for decades, it won’t be used for a few years and discarded like some materials. Moreover, it’s completely recyclable. Disadvantages may be its weight and the possibility it might scratch or dent certain floors.
Wicker
Wicker furniture is a common choice for outdoor furniture, but it can also be used indoors for benches, chairs, headboards, and tables. It’s available in many colors and finishes and goes well with any decorating style. You can use wicker furniture as an accent piece or make it the centerpiece of a room. It’s lightweight, durable, and easy to care for with a vacuum and damp rag.
Wicker can be either natural or synthetic. Most high-quality wicker furniture is built around an aluminum frame for strength and durability. Synthetic wicker is best for outdoors, as natural wicker can fade in the sun or become worn due to weather changes. Wicker may not be a good choice if you have dogs or cats that like to scratch or chew.
Plastic
High-quality plastics or resins are often used for outdoor furniture because they’re essentially weatherproof. But indoor furniture can also be made of plastic, in whole or in part. Dining chairs and accent chairs made of plastic are a key feature of the mid-century modern look, but plastic can take on any color or style. Plastic is particularly popular for children’s furniture because it’s virtually unbreakable and can be sanitized easily.
Plastic is lightweight, durable, and maintenance-free. Plastic furniture can usually be kept clean with a damp rag, but if the surface is textured or nubby, dirt and grime can build up in the tiny indentations and will need to be scrubbed out with baking soda. On the negative side, plastic can be scratched and dented and shows wear after a time.
Wood
Wood furniture is perfect for a warm, timeless look, whether it’s used in the bedroom, dining room, or living room. With so many types of wood and stains available, it’s adaptable to any decorating preference. Wood furniture is strong, durable, and environmentally friendly. When well maintained, quality wood furniture can last for generations.
However, wood furniture must be treated with care and may not be suitable for all families. Wood can be scratched, dented, or stained by liquids. Direct contact with hot items can harm wood furniture. The finish can also fade in direct sunlight.
Glass
Glass is frequently used for tabletops for dining tables, coffee and side tables, and even desktops. It’s an attractive choice for small rooms because its transparency and light reflection creates the illusion of a larger space. Spills wipe up easily, and it resists stains.
However, glass can easily be scratched, and under some circumstances can even shatter. It’s important to avoid placing hot items directly on the glass. Heat-resistant placemats, table runners, and tablecloths are recommended.
Bamboo
Bamboo has recently gained attention as a furniture material because of its sustainability for the environment. Once cut down, bamboo grows back quickly from its roots and replaces itself. It produces a building material that is extremely durable, lightweight, and moisture resistant.
If you’re imagining furniture built from tube-like sticks of bamboo, think again. Bamboo can be processed into planks to be used in any way that wood can be used, including tables, chairs, bedroom suites, and sofa frames. The disadvantages of bamboo include its vulnerability to heat, humidity, and insects.
Marble
Like glass, marble is often used for tabletops. Marble has a classic and sophisticated look that can elevate any décor. Since it’s a natural material, its design is always unique. It’s durable and will last a lifetime, but it does take special care.
As a type of stone, marble is porous and will need to be sealed regularly to help it resist moisture. Even so, it can be stained or scratched with careless use. Hot or cold items should not be placed directly on the surface; always use a coaster, placemat, or other heat-resistant barrier.
Leather
Leather is often used for sofas and chairs because of its durability and stylish look. It’s a flexible material so that your favorite leather chair seems to adapt to fit the shape of your body. Leather does tend to be more expensive than cloth upholstery, but it’s also tough and durable, and well cared for, can last for years. Colors in natural leather tend to be limited to a range of browns, tans, and reddish-browns, although there are some dyed leathers in brighter colors.
Leather resists stains and is easy to clean with a damp rag. Leather may be a great choice for people with pets because, unlike cloth upholstery, it doesn’t collect pet hair or dander. However, cats can scratch leather as they do with any fabric.
With so many choices of furniture, you might be stumped about what to choose for your home. However, the selection becomes easier when you learn about the characteristics of the various kinds of materials used to make furniture. Many people will end up using a combination of furniture materials, depending on what room they are furnishing and how frequently the furniture will be used.
Read this next: Which Type of Wood Will Complement My Home’s Interior Design?
Which Type of Wood Will Complement My Home’s Interior Design?
Photograph by Douglas Sheppard
You may be looking to install a new wooden staircase, change your windows and doors, get a new floor, or put new furniture in your home. Whatever the case, the right choice of wood contributes to the overall feel and style of your house. When you pick wood that combines well with the other elements of your home, you're bound to achieve inspiring results.
Color Conundrum
The color of the wood in your home helps to bring together the interior design. Brown wood is commonly used at home, and it pairs well with white, black, gold, orange, blue, beige, yellow, and navy. Although the color schemes do not have to match, similar hues can help you achieve a balanced look. Light-colored wood such as birch, maple, or pine is better for a small house as it can make your home look more spacious. Selecting a range of different colors and patterns when incorporating wood can result in your house looking disorganized and chaotic.
The Choice of Grade
The grade of wood around your house says a lot about your style. High-grade wood has minimal variance in grains and color, and it also contains fewer imperfections compared to lower grades. The type of home and the overall feel you intend to have will dictate the type of wood grade to install. For example, rustic wood is ideal for a natural look.
Kitchen Construction
Since many folks spend a considerable amount of time in the kitchen, you should aim at creating a cozy atmosphere. Wood cabinets are conventional in most kitchens as they effortlessly combine with any style of decoration. The most popular types of wood in kitchens are maple, ash, hickory, oak, birch, and pine. If you want a unique look, there are many styles of customized cabinetry that can showcase your personal preferences. You can find shelves and drawers that not only offer convenient storage space but also create more space and make your kitchen modern and elegant.
Furniture Combination
Consider the type and color of your current furniture if you intend to add wooden flooring. For example, if your furniture is brightly colored and you also enjoy letting in sunlight, then pick more light-colored wood flooring. Dark flooring sets the tone better if you prefer a house with minimal light or want to achieve a sophisticated ambiance. The common types of flooring are mahogany bamboo, oak, birch, cherry, and pine.
The final decision when choosing wood can be influenced by a range of factors, including complementary colors, wood grade, and your current furnishings as well as your interior design goals.
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