The perfect piece of furniture can totally transform a space. Design and material are two integral components of what makes a specific piece of furniture so wonderful and unique.
From visual impact to refining functionality and flow, the influence furniture has on an overall design cannot be understated.
Whether you’re designing custom furniture or shopping for store-bought or vintage pieces, choosing the right furniture material for your home is crucial.
There are so many considerations when it comes to choosing the right materials for each piece of individual furniture.
Sometimes it can be tempting to opt for whatever material looks or feels good to you, but in reality, many factors can present as potential problems down the line.
Between balancing style and functionality, cost and durability, it can sometimes feel like an impossible task.
With years of professional experience designing and sourcing furniture, we’ve put together our ultimate guide to help you find the best furniture material to make the right choices for your home.
One of the most exciting parts of furniture design is playing with the many different types of materials available. Whatever your style and personal preferences, you have many options, so you can find the perfect piece to complement any room in your home.
Let’s look at some of the most common materials used in furniture making, outlining what makes them a good home furniture choice and what can make them difficult to work with.
There are several uses for hardwood in the home, and furniture is no exception. Hardwood is a classic option for many types of furniture, from impressive tables to solid bed frames.
Pros: Extremely durable, attractive, and timeless
Cons: Heavy, prone to stains and water damage
As a result of mass-produced materials and products, we have seen a rise in plastic furniture in modern home designs. Plastic furniture pieces are useful for high-traffic areas and as outdoor furniture.
Pros: Affordable, durable, and versatile
Cons: Often looks and feels cheap
Metal makes the perfect choice of material for outdoor furniture and folding chairs. It also works well as a structural element for tables and bed frames.
Pros: Durable, weather resistant, and affordable
Cons: Can cause damage to other surfaces
Both real leather and faux leather have been favored materials for sofas and chairs for a long time. It’s a versatile choice that works well in any room and for various interior design styles.
Pros: Comfortable, easy to maintain
Cons: Expensive, reacts to temperatures, not vegan or environmentally friendly
Glass has become one of contemporary interior design's most popular furniture materials. It can bring a degree of elegance to a room that’s difficult to achieve with other materials.
Pros: Sleek, elegant, easy to clean
Cons: Delicate, easily damaged
MDF and plywood are very popular materials in kitchens, especially in kitchen units and cabinetry.
Pros: Affordable, durable, easy to paint
Cons: Can’t bear as much weight as natural wood
Acrylic furniture is a great way to bring a modern touch to any room. Its clear appearance adds brightness to dull spaces and lends itself to a clean aesthetic.
Pros: Durable, easy to maintain
Cons: Shows up dirt and fingerprints easily, fewer styles available
Selecting your furniture upholstery can be a super fun task! With so many different furniture fabric options to upholster chairs, it allows for great creativity and freedom to explore different fabrics.
Pros: Endless options for colors, patterns, and textures
Cons: Difficult to clean
So, now that we’ve outlined some of the primary types of materials, how do you use this information to find the perfect solution for your home?
Let’s look at the main factors to consider when choosing furniture material.
Every home is different. Your home should reflect your unique lifestyle and needs, and your furniture plays a key role in this.
You’d be surprised at how significantly furniture will change your experience of your home. If you have young kids or excitable pets, perhaps a glass coffee table paired with a pristine white linen sofa might not be the best option for your living room furniture.
Especially when you’re designing on a budget, it can sometimes be tempting to opt for the cheapest option out there to help get you over the line and under budget.
However, it’s always better to invest in high-quality, well-made materials. Cheap, poorly produced materials will need to be replaced more frequently, costing you more money in the long run.
With increased awareness of creating a healthy home, it’s important to note the impact certain materials can have on your environment.
When using synthetic materials for your furniture, you must consider the off-gassing that comes with certain plastics and other artificial materials. While these materials are often the more affordable option, it’s wise to consider if they’re right for your home in the long term.
Whether you’re designing your first home or remodeling it for the last time, it’s still vital to introduce durable materials into your home that will stand the test of time.
We all have different needs, but however you live your life, wear and tear of your furniture is inevitable. We recommend always investing in durable materials for regularly used and weight-bearing furniture so you can enjoy pieces that look and feel better for longer.
Certain materials may look or feel attractive, but in reality, maintaining them can be a bit of a nightmare.
Materials like acrylic can require regular cleaning to keep them looking fresh. Soft fabrics such as velvet can be difficult to keep clean altogether and difficult to bring back from stains and scratches.
It’s always smart to opt for timeless, classic interiors to ensure you get the most out of your home designs. Some materials go in and out of fashion, while others remain in style, regardless of current trends.
For example, black leather sofas can feel a bit dated, whereas brown is still considered a sophisticated style. Hardwood and other natural woods are a classic furniture material that have always remained a consistent favorite in design.
You’re taking the right steps by educating yourself on the available materials options, so you know what you’re bringing into your home and make professionally informed choices.
Try to avoid jumping for the cheapest or most convenient option in the moment. Remember to consider whether or not a specific material is durable, of high quality, and suits your unique taste and lifestyle.
Leave it up to the professionals! Get in touch with our wonderful team of skilled professionals to discuss your options and help you choose furniture material you'll love.
Schedule a discovery call today to begin your journey.
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