What Kinds of Wood Is Used to Make Amish Furniture?

Amish wood furniture can be made out of many different kinds of wood, but most of it is various different kinds of hardwood. Whole sets of furniture can be made out of a single type of wood, or you can purchase sets made from different woods that complement each other. Amish bedroom furniture sets can come with many pieces, and though some people would like them all to match, a variety of woods also gives a bedroom a unique antique look that many people find attractive. Each wood has its own special qualities that make it useful for furniture throughout the whole house.

 

Cherry Wood

This type of hardwood might just be the most celebrated and iconic hardwood in America’s history of heirloom furniture making. Cherry wood has been used for generations to make Amish cherry furniture, and it remains popular today for its strength and beauty.  There are two parts to Cherry wood that can be used for Amish made furniture. The parts are the lighter-colored sapwood, and the darker more reddish-colored heartwood. However, the heartwood is considered more desirable for heirloom furniture.

 

Cypress Wood

Furniture made from Cyprus wood is generally lighter in color, but is remarkably resilient. Because of this, cypress wood is typically made into outdoor Amish furniture such as Amish benches, outdoor swings, and patio furniture. The Cypress wood is highly prized for many different types of furniture because of its versatility and its durability, and though it’s often used outdoors, it makes very elegant household furniture as well.

 

Eastern Hickory Wood

Eastern Hickory wood is a gorgeous mixture of light and dark colored wood and is generally not used for most retail furniture. The wood has a very natural look to it, even after it has been dried and cured. Many people use this wood for living room furniture, like Amish wall shelves and Amish T.V. stands. It creates a rustic atmosphere that many people enjoy for their homes.

 

Hard Maple Wood

This is one of the most popular types of wood for Amish style furniture. One of the reasons for this is because of the variety of color that Hard Maple wood can come in. The grain can be wavy or swirly, but is typically straight, which makes the imperfections even more desired because of the personality and uniqueness. Another reason why Hard Maple wood is so desirable is because it’s very tough and durable, making it a good choice for furniture that you want to last for a long time and hold up well despite many years of constant use.

 

Oak Wood

Valued for same of the same reasons as Hard Maple wood, Oak wood is strong, resilient, and comes in a wide variety of colors. It’s not uncommon for Amish Shaker dining room furniture to be made from Oak wood.

 

Pine Wood

The softest of the hardwood used in Amish wood furniture, Pine wood is still useful for furniture making and can be very elegant and charming around the house. White Pine is the most typically used Pine wood for Pine furniture, and the wood contains quite a few knots, unlike other hardwood. However, it’s very easy to carve and is often more affordable that other hardwoods. The wood tends to yellow with age, but customers say that it adds more character to the furniture.