When it comes to home interiors there are endless designs and styles to choose from. Wooden furniture has long been a popular choice for many homes, from dining tables to bed frames, to side tables.

Wooden furniture has an innate warmth and elegance that has made it a household staple for years. It is also a sustainable type of furniture, making it a great investment for your home.

Here are five things to consider before you buy the next piece of wooden furniture for your home.

Type of wood

When buying wooden furniture, you’ll come across a range of different types of wood. You want to ensure you choose the right wood furniture for your home, so it’s important to consider the strength, durability and appearance of different types of wood.

Wood furniture can differ quite a lot in appearance, from light woods to dark woods, and smooth texture to rough texture. Wood can have natural defects which add character, and often means that your wooden furniture can look better with age.

Wooden furniture can be separated into two categories: hardwood and softwood. Hardwood tends to be denser, which can offer better durability for pieces that receive a lot of wear and tear. Popular types of hardwood include maple, oak, mahogany, and walnut. Softwoods tend to be lighter, with the most common types including pine, cedar and redwood.

Wooden furniture can also be made using solid wood, plywood or veneer, which can affect both the style and quality.

Your home style

Depending on your home’s style there may be certain types of furniture that best complement it. Choose wooden furniture that compliments the colours and themes in your home.

Take into account whether your home style is traditional or modern when buying wooden furniture. Darker wood can often suit more traditional styles and add elegance to a space, while lighter wooden furniture can give a more contemporary look and brighten a room.

When mixing different wooden furniture within a room, consider your home interior style, as you want to create harmony between different colours and materials. Consider how wooden furniture works with your flooring, walls and other furniture and decor to ensure your home feels cohesive rather than chaotic.

Wooden furniture doesn’t go out of style, it is a timeless investment. Look for silhouettes and shapes that you will love for many years to come.

Look for quality

You want to invest in quality furniture that you’ll have for years, so when buying wooden furniture make sure to carefully check the construction to ensure you’re spending money on a well-made piece.

With any key pieces of furniture for your home, durability is a must. Furniture that is designed for sitting or laying on, or to store your decor and belongings needs to be sturdy and well-made. You should also consider your lifestyle when buying wooden furniture. If you have children, pets, or are just generally quite rough with your furniture, you want to invest in pieces that will hold up well against wear and tear.

When assessing the overall construction of wooden furniture, some things to look for include the joints and drawers (make sure these are properly fitted together, and any drawers should open and close smoothly), check there are no exposed nails and no creaking or wobbling. It’s important to assess the sturdiness of furniture before you buy it, as this is a key indicator that the wooden furniture will be long-lasting.

Don’t rush to furnish your home. Take time to find pieces that are made with quality craftsmanship.

The finish

Different types of wooden furniture can have different finishes. Antique or traditional wooden furniture can often have a rougher finish, whereas more modern designs often have a smooth finish.

The finish and stain of wooden furniture affects the colouring. Depending on your style preference and your existing interior decor, you may prefer to buy wooden furniture with a particular finish to compliment your home’s colour scheme. Sanding, staining and finishing are three elements that make wooden furniture look ‘finished’.

Another factor to consider when buying wooden furniture is how to care for it. Care instructions can differ for different types of finish, and to keep your wooden furniture looking good for years, you want to make sure you know how to look after it. Some natural woods may require a stain to protect them, and this may need to be redone now and again, whereas wooden furniture with a veneer may only require a regular wipe down.

Lifestyle, functionality & space

If you’re shopping for wooden furniture in Australia, some other things that may determine what furniture is most suitable for your home may include lifestyle, functionality and space.

While you want to choose furniture styles that you love, you need to also be realistic about your lifestyle. While you may prefer how a square dining table looks, if you have young children, a round dining table may be better than one with harsh angles that small bodies may knock into.

When buying a wooden dining table and chairs, consider how many seats you need. If you entertain regularly, you may need space for extra seating. If your home doesn’t have built-in storage, you may want to buy wooden shelving units and dressers to maximise space.

Consider the functionality of a piece of furniture before investing. It needs to suit your needs and the room size. The space you have available will impact the furniture you can buy, so always make sure to take room measurements before buying any furniture. For example, a round dining table may be more suitable than a rectangular one if you only have a small dining space.

Regardless of what type of wooden furniture you choose, make sure you’re buying quality designs from trusted retailers to ensure you’ll be able to keep your wooden furniture for years to come.