What are The Best Wood Types To Use for Wood Shelves?

Being a wood enthusiast has multiple benefits on different fronts that it offers. Wood construction leverages the advantages of timber to create anything from that stunning, timely piece of wood shelf to exquisite home décor. Unlike some other construction materials, there is no need for heavy machinery.

 

Before deciding on the sort of exotic wood slabs to use for wood shelves, you must first establish where and how they will be used. If you want to use the shelves to exhibit tiny and light decorations in your living room, the style and color of the wood are more important than its strength. If you're planning to use the shelves to store heavy items like books or appliances, though, you should prioritize wood strength and stability.

 

Some of the best wood varieties for making wood shelves are listed below.

 

1. Cherry

Despite being a hardwood, cherry is light and simple to work with. Because of its rich, warm, and reddish hue, many people choose cherry over other types of hardwood for floating wood shelf. Cherry wood's distinctive hue deepens and darkens with age, making ancient shelves constructed of this wood desirable to antique collectors. This sort of shelf is ideal for displaying items.

 

2. Pine 

Pine is one of the most cost-effective and widely used softwoods. This wood kind is simple to work with, paint, and stain, making it great for beginners learning how to create wood shelves. Although pine is a sturdy wood, it is not recommended for storing large goods on shelves since they may easily bend or dent.

 

3. Plywood

For those who want to make their own shelves, plywood is another wonderful alternative. This engineered wood comes in a variety of grades that influence the smoothness and appearance (or lack thereof) of knots on the surface. Another advantage of this sort of wood for wood shelves is that it is quite robust and affordable when compared to other types of wood. If you're building a shelf for your living room or dining room, furniture quality plywood is best, while B/C grade plywood is best for garage shelves.  

 

4. Walnut

It is known for its strength, durability, and rich, vibrant brown color. This makes it a popular wood option for making furniture and contemporary designs. If you don’t know about the walnut tree, it can exceed 100 feet in height and 6 in diameter. 

 

5. Oak (Red)

Another common wood type for shelves is red oak. Red oak is not only strong but also simple to deal with. People who wish to build their own shelves will have no trouble handling, cutting, or finishing this sort of wood.

 

6. Hackberry

Also known as sugarberry, hackberry is native to Northern America. This wood is mainly used for making boxes, furniture, and various small objects. Regular paint and polish are required to keep the furniture in good shape for years. Most importantly, it is used for interior furniture. Its straight grain has a light brown to grey color.