A wooden table with a smooth, natural finish and a sturdy design.

Learn about the fundamentals of high quality, handcrafted wooden furniture. Explore below for more information.

Furniture 101

Close-up of a wooden furniture piece with dovetail joints.

Wooden furniture can be separated into two basic groups:

1) High quality, long-lasting.

  • Designed for function and durability

  • Mainly constructed of hardwood materials

  • Components joined together using techniques that emphasize strength

2) Cheap, non-durable.

  • Designed for manufacturing and shipping

  • Constructed of laminated particle board with decorative laminate surfaces

  • Components joined together with staples, nails, and screws

A stack of cut tree logs viewed from below against a clear blue sky.

Appearance, strength, and cost are the major factors in wood selection. Not all wood species are the same.

WOOD SELECTION

ABOUT WOOD SPECIES
Woodworking project with a central vertical wood piece connected to two side pieces using dovetail joints, wood glue, a chisel, and a brad nailer on a wooden work surface.

If the wood species is the heart of the furniture piece, then the construction joints that interlink components are the skeleton that ensure durability.

CONSTRUCTION JOINTS

ABOUT WOOD JOINERY
Close-up view of a wooden surface with light and dark wood grain patterns.

The final step of the furniture building process is the application of a finish coating that will enhance and protect the wood appearance and surface.

WOOD FINISHES (TOP COATING)

ABOUT WOOD FINISH