In the past, bedroom furniture was almost always made out of wood. This furniture was built to last and would be passed down from generation to generation. If you’ve ever spent time on Vancouver Island and have seen some of the massive old growth trees that are hundreds of years old, you can imagine how furniture from real wood would stand the test of time.

Recent years, however, have seen a trend toward furniture that is made of cheaper materials. This furniture is mass produced by machines in factories and is made to last only a few years before things start to chip, crack and break.

However, there has always remained a demand for well-made wooden furniture; that’s because it is an investment that will last a lifetime. One great thing about handmade, bedroom furniture made from wood is that there are many different kinds of wood to choose from. Therefore, the pieces can be customized to suit a variety of tastes and can a wide price range.

Almost any kind of wood can be used, but there are things like availability, cost, durability and strength to consider. So, if you’re wondering what kind of wood is best for bedroom furniture, we’ve come up with a guide for you.

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Hardwood furniture options:

Oak

Oak is a popular choice for furniture making because it is strong, durable and often readily available. Oak, when cut a certain way, is resistant to warping. It is very grainy and therefore usually left unstained so that its natural texture can be enjoyed.

Walnut

Walnut ranges in colour from dark (when taken from close to the centre of the tree) to light (when taken from near the outside edge of the tree). It is strong, stable and is very beautiful. It is a popular choice for things like headboards and bedroom furniture. It can handle intricate carving but walnut can be an expensive option.

Cherry

Cherry wood is another popular hardwood as it is both durable and beautiful. It has a distinctly rich, red colour profile. Cherry wood furniture is stunning when a whole bedroom set is made of it.

Maple

Maple is a desirable wood for bedroom furniture because it is one of the hardest woods out there. It is an affordable option and is often stained to look like other woods like cherry. Since it is so durable, it is often used to build heavy duty furniture like dressers.

Teak

Teak is a beautiful wood that is very hard and durable. It is used in fine furniture making and was made popular by the Danish furniture trend that exploded in the 1970s. You can still find furniture from that era that is in exquisite condition. Because of its desirable qualities, it is an expensive option.

Softwood furniture options:

Pine

A long time ago, pine was a popular option for furniture but it was taken from old, first growth forest so the wood was harder than you’d find today. Today, pine trees are grown quickly and can be very knotty, which interferes with strength. Pine can be a great option for children’s bedroom furniture because it takes paint well and can handle lightweight use.

Cedar

Cedar, of course, smells amazing, but it is perhaps a better option for outdoor furniture rather than indoor furniture. It can be difficult to find straight, solid boards, which can affect the strength and durability of the pieces. Cedar is often used in armoires, chests and closet lining because the natural oils kill clothes-moth larvae.

Fir

Fir is an inexpensive option that is readily available. It doesn’t have the most interesting grain pattern so is a good base for painted furniture. For a softwood, Fir is relatively strong so it is a sort of middle of the road wood for furniture.

As you can see, hardwoods are generally favoured over softwood for building long-lasting, durable furniture. But that doesn’t mean that great furniture can’t be built from softwood, too. There are, of course, other options we didn’t mention and fall along a wide range of prices. Some woods are labeled as “exotic” and beautiful wood can come from Africa, New Zealand, South America or other place around the world.

Everyone has a different preference for what they would like their bedroom furniture to look like, and it’s worth doing your homework if you are truly considering investing in wood furniture. That’s because, unlike the mass produced particle board furniture, these pieces will be around for a long time to come.