The most popular and certainly long-lasting furniture to be crafted has been constructed using real wood. You will find three types of woods typically used in the construction of wood furniture; they are hardwoods, softwoods, and composites. To understand how quality furniture can capture our imaginations, let's start with understanding these three types of woods and the potential impact to the decisions you make on your next furniture purchase:

Hardwood is wood from deciduous trees that have broadleaves, product a fruit or nut, and generally go dormant in the winter. Hundreds of varieties of hardwood trees thrive around the world. The most common varieties, or species, used for furniture construction include oak, ash, cherry, maple, walnut, poplar, and mahogany. Certain hardwood species are not recommended for flooring us because they are not hard enough to withstand heavy wear and tear.

Not to be confusing but hardwoods are also not necessarily harder than some softwoods. You'll find an enormous variation in actual wood hardness, however, the hardest hardwoods are much harder than any softwood and there are about a hundred times as many hardwoods as softwoods.

Hardwood is synonymous with the highest quality and expense. They offer a vast range of natural colors, from very light to very dark. These woods can also be stained for additional color variation. They are also more resistant to warping and bending than other woods. The five most common hardwoods for furniture production are oak, maple, cherry, walnut, and mahogany.

Softwoods are conifers, evergreen, and cone-bearing trees. Some widely available softwood includes cedar, fir, hemlock, pine, redwood, and spruce. When it comes to home building, softwoods are typically used for structural lumber, such as 2x4s, 2x6s, etc. While softwood will require more care than hardwood, they are less expensive. The woods can easily scratch and dent and in general, are less attractive than hardwood because they lack the grain of hardwood and do not take stain as well.

Softwood (conifer) forests are found primarily in the northern hemisphere. Conifers are fast-growing, can be easily cultivated, and produce relatively straight trunks, which makes harvesting and processing much less expensive. Conifers are also used in the manufacture of fiberboard and paper.

Pine is the most common softwood used in furniture construction. Pine is also popular in construction, so the best looking pieces are often reserved for furniture building.

Composite Woods are made rather than grown and represent the least expensive wood available. There are four main types of composite board used in the manufacture of furniture; Plywood, Particle Board, Hardboard, or Medium Density Fiberboard. Furniture can be called "real wood" furniture, even if it is created using composite wood.

Veneer is a thin layer used on the surface of furniture; typically veneer is bonded to the surface of a less attractive or interior material. Veneer furniture is any type of furniture finished with a thin sliver of wood or other material on the surface of the piece. This thin exterior coating is known as veneer and may be composed of real wood, wood laminate, or a resin product designed to mimic the look or marble or other natural elements. In general, veneer is used to provide a richer look to furniture constructed with less expensive materials.

When it comes to furniture design, you'll find that Bentley Designs is one the leading suppliers of quality furniture in the UK and Ireland. Skilled team of designers and engineers create inspirational designs to meet ever-evolving customer desires. The manufacturing plants us the most up-to-date automated finishing line and processing equipment to ensure the highest standards of quality and workmanship. Their workmanship includes the use of natural grain hardwoods and veneers.

Extensive oak and walnut collections offer uncompromising quality and versatility. Bentley designs capture the very best in the latest market trends to create better living for your bedroom and dining room space. Strikingly clean and simple designs help to show off the natural beauty of solid, knotty American oak furniture. The classic selection of furniture includes the Bentley beds that are designed with a sprung slat bed and soft closing drawers and offer a choice of alloy and wooden handles to blend perfectly with both traditional and contemporary décor.

Using a wonderful dark walnut color and offering clean modern line at affordable prices, you'll find another example of crafted furniture using veneers and solid hardwood from American Black Walnut. The Tokyo Furniture collection also offers a marvelous design effortlessly combining functionality and stunning contemporary style. Celebrated as the 'king of woods,' the Tokyo collection displays the rich heritage of walnut throughout its furniture collection.

Perhaps by now you have narrowed down your selection and know that investing in hardwood is the choice for you. Look for furniture that offers a blend of beauty, resilience and functionality for a lifetime of enjoyment. By shopping online and browsing the countless website catalogues, you can save a few more trees so they can be made into long-lasting furniture, rather than disposable paper.