A Look at Traditional Wood in Amish Furniture

As you already know, Amish furniture is made from solid wood, but what kind of wood? You know about oak, cedar, and pine, but the truth is that there are two very basic categories that encompass the entire industry: hardwood and softwood.

Hardwood – Comes from a tree with broad leaves and no needles. The most common examples of hardwood include cherry, walnut, mahogany, and maple. As the name implies, hardwoods are stronger and boast more stability than softwoods.

Softwoods – Softwoods are harvested from trees that have needles including redwood, spruce, even cedar trees.

Why to Choose One or the Other

Amish furniture for saleMuch of the choice comes down to the type of furniture that is being made. Softwood, for example, is often chosen by carpenters who foresee themselves doing quite a bit of carving. There is much more to it than that, however, so let’s take a look.

In any Amish furniture for sale, careful consideration was put into the piece. For example, the builder will look at each piece of wood to determine how it can fit into their design and most importantly how well it will stand up to everyday life. Additionally, they have to consider how well the wood will absorb stain or paint, and of course how pliable it is. Once all of these things are taken into account, it is then up to them to decide what type of furniture the wood would be suitable for.

For example, pine would not be suitable for a dining room table but it might work well for an end table. Remember: when you visit an Amish furniture store you are purchasing pieces that have been constructed by highly intelligent, highly experienced individuals using methods that have been passed down through the generations.

Wood Availability

A very important factor in the wood selection is the actual availability of the wood itself. For example, in some areas, they may have more access to white cedar than pine, and for this reason, we have taken the time to compile a quick list detailing the different types of woods and where exactly they might be found in the country.

Oak – One of the most popular types found in the best Amish furniture, red oak is found in the Appalachian Mountains while White Oak tends to be found east of the Mississippi River.

Cherry – Black cherry is a commonly used type of wood as it is found often in Canada and Central America. Additionally, you can find some in both New York and Pennsylvania.

Hickory – You can find these throughout the Eastern United States, especially in Pennsylvania.

Maple – Like most other woods used to craft the finest Amish furniture, Maple is typically found on the East Coast.

Amish furniture is an outstanding investment for your home and one that you certainly won’t regret. With the finest woods and the best builders around, you’re sure to get an outstanding deal.

 

Use Live Edge Furniture to build the Perfect Living Room

Building the perfect living room comes with some serious challenges but choosing the theme is perhaps the most difficult of all. For the purpose of this article w,e are going to assume that you want to outfit your living room with live edge furniture, which is an outstanding choice! The question however, is how far you want to take it.

Our Amish furniture is some of the best and we can undoubtedly get you exactly what you are looking for. The big question, is how far you really want to go with your live edge furniture, and how rustic you want it to be.

What is Live Edge Amish Furniture?

live edge Amish furnitureOne of the real benefits of live edge Amish furniture for sale is that it brings the power of nature into your domesticated living room. The biggest difference between live edge and the normal fare at our Amish furniture store is that the edge remains unfinished. The table is stained, but we take great pride in making sure to leave the edge intact, as it was in nature. As a result, we have beautiful tables that will help to create that rustic atmosphere you’ve been looking for.

Rustic vs. Farmhouse

When looking into live edge Amish furniture for sale online many people tend to mistake it with rustic or farmhouse, but these are two very different styles. Farmhouse, for example, is closer to the Barstow live edge table that you can easily find in our inventory. It is live edge and it does give the natural feel that you are looking for, but it doesn’t quite go over the top.

If you are looking to go a little bit further then you could certainly consider going the rustic route. Rustic furniture is usually a bit thicker and uses more natural elements in its design. For example, you might see an occasional table that consists of tree stump supported by branches instead of legs. While these might have a very natural look, they are quite stable and are perfect for some settings.

Finish up your Living Room

There is nothing more important than making sure that your living room is set up exactly the way you want it, and you can dot hat by looking into live edge furniture. If you’re tired of the same old Amish furniture, then you can bring it to life by introducing a bit of nature into the design. Look through our inventory and find something that not only suits your tastes, but that helps bring new life to your space.

 

Three Unusual Woods Used in Amish Furniture

In a world of oak and cedar, it is easy to forget some of the lesser used woods in Amish furniture. As you probably already know, Amish furniture uses hardwood rather than particle board, making for furniture pieces that are not only beautiful but able to last for a very long time. Remember: the type of wood that is used in these furniture pieces will depend heavily upon the use that the furniture is going to see, and it often falls to the buyer to choose the piece that will best fit their lifestyle. Today we are going to look at some of the lesser used woods and discuss how to buy Amish furniture online.

Hickory – The Toughest Wood used in Amish Furniture

Amish FurnitureHickory is without a doubt one of the most unusual, so much so that you might have even forgotten that it exists. Due to its hardness (and expense), hickory is typically used on parts that see a lot of ears and tear over the years. Tool handles, wagon spokes, legs, and moving parts in furniture are often made from hickory, and you will generally find it on pieces that are made in the eastern US. Along with being a very durable piece of wood, it is extremely easy to stain.

Elm – A Prime Choice

The durability of elm is similar to hickory but instead of being used in tool handles, we have seen elm used in ship hulls, wagon beds, and much more. If you buy a piece of Amish furniture made from Elm you can rest assured you’re getting a piece that could potentially last a lifetime. Apart from the hardness, however, many people tend to go with elm when they want a deeper hue or a darker piece of furniture. It is a perfect piece of contrasting colors and one that you definitely won’t want to miss out on if you’re looking for something unusual. It can be hard to find when you go to an Amish furniture store, but it is definitely around.

Brown Maple – The More Traditional Route

If you are looking for a more traditional answer to your hardwood needs then brown maple is probably the route that you’re going. Unlike the previous two woods that we mentioned, brown maple is a bit softer, which makes it easier to shape. The real downfall, however, is that it is easier to scratch and dent. If you live in a home that sees a lot of activity, then you may be repairing your furniture piece more than you want. Still, it looks amazing.

These are three uncommon woods, some of which are more expensive, but all of which are excellent. The time you look into Amish furniture for sale, we strongly recommend that you look into these woods and think about creating a one of a kind collection in your home.

 

Standard Tables vs. Bar Height Tables

Choosing a new table for your kitchen always presents some challenges. If you are replacing an older table then you have some questions that you want to ask yourself, obviously. What are you looking for in a new table? Do you want something similar to the old table? What can a new table do for you that your old table can’t? Sometimes it is a simple matter of updating and other times it means adding something that you would find to be more functional. You clearly want to choose Amish furniture but the question we will be posing today is whether you should go with bar height tables or standard tables.

Standard Tables – A Staple of Amish Furniture

Amish Furniture TablesYou’ve already used the standard tables. When you buy Amish furniture they are quite frankly the first thing that you think of, and with good reason. Regular tables can come in many different shapes and sizes, whether you are purchasing a standard round one, a more angular square model, or even an oval. The possibilities are limitless especially when you factor in all of the different form factors and designs. A pedestal table, for example, is a sign of high class and sits proudly in many formal dining rooms.

Another benefit of using these tables as your Amish furniture of choice is having more chair options. When you look for Amish furniture online you will quickly notice that there are a plethora of chairs available which can be paired with your table, and you have quite the selection when it comes to style.

The Bar Height Table – A More Fun Solution

The bar height table is a slightly more fun and creative solution that many uses to create an informal setting in their dining room. This is often a solution used in conjunction with a standard dining room table, perhaps off in the corner or even in the kitchen. These higher tables make a great coffee corner or a reading area if you wish. The only drawback is that you do need higher chairs which leads to two major complications. The first would be that you may not have as many options when you look at Amish furniture for sale. These higher chairs are often not as ornate and there are often not as many varieties – just something to think about.

The second potential issue that you will run into is the height. If you think that you will have trouble climbing onto the chair, or if you will have issues with your feet not touching the ground, then you might want to consider the alternative.

Both tables have their purposes, but in the end, it will be up to you to decide whether you want to go the formal route or something a bit more modern.

 

Is it Time to Buy New Furniture? How to Tell

If you own a home then one of the big questions on your mind might be whether or not it is time to purchase new furniture for it, and we know that it can be a pretty tough call. In today’s post, we’re going to go over a few things that could play a factor, and it should help you to make an informed decision. You should be out purchasing new Amish furniture before you know it!

Is it Time to Buy New Amish Furniture? A Quick Guide

Before you go to an Amish furniture store looking for an entire house full of items, ask yourself the following questions:

Amish FurnitureIs there Anything Wrong with my Current Furniture?

Take a look at your existing furniture. Do you not like it? Is it broken or cracked? Has it been exposed to too much sunlight? Any of these factors can easily lead to a need to replace all of your furniture and while it might be a bit expensive, it is most definitely worth it.

Are you Looking for a Visual Upgrade?

If you want furniture that looks better, then you should certainly visit an Amish furniture store. Solid wood furniture looks far better than most of the alternatives out there, so keep that in mind when you are working toward your decision.

Are you Planning a Renovation?

For some people, it is perfectly fine to use their original furniture in a new renovation but for others, it is more or less unacceptable. You want a new look, you want a new feel, and furniture is the most visible part of your home. It doesn’t matter if you are working in a bedroom, your living room, or even your kitchen; new furniture can give you a fresh look that will completely change your space.

Get the Best Furniture

After you have finished asking these questions you will likely come to the conclusion that you will not only need furniture that looks good but furniture that can last for a very long time. Amish furniture for sale can go a long way toward giving you the aesthetic you want in your home, and it is built by expert craftsmen who have mastered techniques passed down through the generations.

In the end, you couldn’t do much better when you’re on the search for solid wood furniture. Look at our Amish furniture online and start building your new space.

 

Common Wood Joints You’ll See in Amish Furniture

There is always more to Amish furniture than meets the eye. Whether you’re talking about the expert craftsmanship, the high-quality stain, or the joinery, there is always something amazing to see, and the best Amish furniture can last a lifetime. Today we are going to take a quick look at the joints that hold Amish furniture together and delve into how it all works.

Dado Joints – The Staple of Amish Furniture

Amish Furniture - Common Wood JointsA dado joint is simply a slot that is cut into a piece of wood, and from the cross-section, it has three sides. Dado’s joints are cut perpendicular to the grain and it has a few different types:

Through Dado – Passes through the surface with ends remaining open

Stopped Dado – One or both ends stop before the edge of the surface.

Dados are used to connect shelves in most cases, so, for example, you could be using it to build a bookcase, or you might simply be building a pantry in your kitchen.

The Dovetail Joint

This is usually referred to simply as a ‘dovetail’, and it is a joint well known for its tensile strength. For this reason, you will usually find it in drawers or other pieces that will be under constant stress. The joint features a series of tails, each tail matching up to a slot. Once these are glued together, the joined is permanent and does not require any additional mechanical fastener. Its strength makes it a driving force in many pieces of Amish furniture for sale and will help to ensure that the furniture piece in question lasts for many years to come.

Finger Joints – A Popular but Weaker Joint

This is one of the most popular woodworking joints in the industry and it is much like a dovetail joint, but without the angling on the pins. Instead, the pins are square and do not have the same mechanical strength of their sister joint. This is not the most common joint in Amish furniture but it may be used in pieces that will not see a lot of stress – it all depends on the situation and the builder’s prerogative.

These are three common types of joints used in Amish furniture online and in pieces at any physical Amish furniture store. The omission of butt joints and other low-quality joinery methods have helped to ensure that Amish furniture will not only look great but will stand the test of time! If you want quality pieces for your home, and if you want something that you can pass down from generation to generation, then you’ve come to the right place, and you certainly have the right furniture. Look through our store and start planning your next renovation or remodel.

 

Three Tips for Using Amish Furniture to Furnish a Waiting Room

The waiting room in your office is a very important location; it may even be more important than your back offices. Every business has clients to please and let’s face it, the waiting room is going to be the first thing that your clients see as they enter your business. What do you want them to see, exactly? You want them to be comfortable in every way possible and that means finding the best Amish furniture to fit your needs.

Tip 1: Use the Best Amish Furniture to Create a Great Aesthetic

Amish furniture You want your waiting room to be easy on the eyes but you also want to make sure that it looks professional. If you need your area to look a little more modest then we would strongly recommend that you start with the Mission style of Amish furniture as it is not nearly as ornate as Shaker. This, of course, all depends on the type of atmosphere that you want to build. You can look through Amish furniture online and figure out what would work best for your setting.

Tip 2: Make the Waiting Room Comfortable

Making your waiting room more comfortable for your guests is always going to be a challenge; where do you even start? What’s the best way for you to go about it? In our opinion, it all starts with choosing comfortable chairs. To this end, you may want to look at some of our online Amish furniture that uses upholstery rather than the bare wood options. Don’t worry, you can still make a professional looking waiting room with upholstered chairs – just look for the leather variants.

Tip 3: Accessorize your Waiting Room

Furniture is great, but adding accessories is even more important than you realize. A few end tables here and there to hold magazines and lamps is a great start, but if you want to take it a step further, try adding a coffee table. Your customers and clients will thank you, trust us. Finally, a great touch would be to add a children’s play area and this often starts with a shorter table that they can use for coloring or for play. Sometimes, a shorter occasional table will work for this purpose, so make sure you take a quick look at our stock.

Learning where to buy Amish furniture will save you a lot of trouble in the future and it will give you plenty of great ideas as you continue to develop your waiting room. Finally, understand that Amish furniture isn’t just a cheap investment – it can last for years, decades, or even generations. This is one investment that will serve you well for many years to come.

 

Give Your Home a Furniture Facelift this Spring

Though it may not look like it, we are now starting Springtime, and it only makes sense that we should make a few changes in our lives. Out with the old, in with the new, as they say, right? Well, what kind of ‘new’ are you looking for exactly? In our opinion, a new house full of furniture is a great idea if you have the extra money to throw around, and Amish furniture is the way to go. But wait, why should you choose Amish furniture over anything else out there? Why is it so different?

Why You Should Choose Amish Furniture

There are a lot of different furniture options on the market, but you probably already know that. Once you know where to buy Amish furniture, and after you get a good look at what it has to offer, there is a good chance that you are not going to want anything else, ever again. The first thing that you need to know, is that Amish furniture has nothing in common with the furniture from big box stores other than the shape. If you look closely you will even begin to notice that it is nowhere near the aesthetic of solid wood.

It tries to imitate it, of course, with MDF particle board and other materials, but nothing can beat the solid wood that Amish furniture brings to the table. No pun intended. The second benefit is the handmade factor. All Amish furniture for sale online is comprised of solid wood AND it is handmade, meaning that while they are all very similarly made, each piece that you acquire will be unique in its own way.

Spring for New Furniture this Spring

What could be better for your home than the uniqueness of Amish furniture? Honestly? In our opinion, you should start in some of the most used rooms, for example, the living room. A nice coffee table with plenty of surface area and lots of storage can add both beauty and functionality to the room that you use the most, and it will make it more appealing overall.

You will be absolutely shocked at what a pair of end tables or a new entertainment center can do for your space, and if you arrange it all properly, it may feel as if you’ve walked into an entirely new house. As always, consider the rest of your home whether you are adding a new table to your kitchen or changing the beds in your bedrooms.

Remember: Amish furniture for sale is intended to last forever, but that doesn’t mean your tastes won’t change over time. If you want to make a change, make it!

 

The Difference Between Laminate, Veneer, and Solid Wood

When buying Amish furniture, choosing the right type of wood is a definite challenge, so what should you be doing? It is crucial that you know the difference between the types of wood that you will encounter at an Amish furniture store, but you should also know exactly what you shouldn’t be found. With that in mind, today we are going to take a look at the difference between laminates, veneers, and solid wood.

Veneer – One Thing you Should Never Find at an Amish Furniture Store

Amish Furniture StoreVeneer is not a solid wood – it is a thin layer of hardwood that normally measures 1/8 of an inch thick. In most cases, it is bonded or glued to a cheaper surface, or, in many cases, a particle board. In other words, it looks good, but once you get beneath the surface, it’s a far cheaper piece of furniture. This practice allows furniture to be built at a lower cost an will still retain the beauty of the solid wood furniture.

Objectively, particle board lasts longer in humidity, which often means that it is a better choice for bathroom vanities, but if you are here, then you are looking for the real deal. It is also important to remember that unlike Amish furniture for sale, veneers cannot be sanded as you will break through the top layer and end up at the particle board.

Laminate – A Synthetic Nightmare

We introduce you to another piece that you will not be found among online Amish furniture as you shop. Laminate is made from thinly sliced pieces of wood, or synthetic materials, and it is designed to completely imitate wood grain. It has a shiny finish and is often used in low-end furniture pieces that need more durable surfaces. How durable it really is, and how long it is going to last, will depend on how often it is used.

Solid Wood – The Gold Standard in Furniture

Authentic Amish furniture will always be made from solid wood, there are no exceptions. Unlike those we mentioned above, it can be more expensive but also more durable. In addition to that, it can be easily worked on, ensuring that it can stand the test of time and be a part of your home for many years rather than being replaced at the first sign of damage.

We will always recommend solid wood over any other type of wood on the market, and now you can see why. Make sure that you find the right piece of furniture for your home and most importantly, make sure that it is constructed from the right materials.

 

Your Guide to Caring for Solid Wood Furniture

You already know that Amish furniture is made of solid wood, but you might not be entirely sure what that means or what it entails. In today’s article, we are going to talk a bit about what solid wood furniture is, what it mails, and how you can properly take care of it.

Amish Furniture Brings Back and Old Tradition

If you have been around for some time then you’ve probably notice that plastic is doing an outstanding job of replacing wood as one of the primary building materials. We are seeing an increasing demand for cheaper furniture but as you probably already know, cheaper furniture is lower quality furniture. As of right now, many consumers are using plastic particle board furniture over real wood but there are still those who are more comfortable with hardwood. At the end of the day, solid wood has a finish that you just cannot argue with, and many of the materials used are environmentally friendly.

A Word on Food

Solid Wood FurnitureThe urge to eat food while sitting in your recliner or sitting in your favorite chair is going to be pretty strong, but remember that you should avoid placing hot dishes on the arms, or even on end tables. Remember: the maximum temperature of anything placed on the solid wood finish, even with the best Amish furniture for sale, should never exceed one hundred and forty degrees Fahrenheit.

Environmental Considerations

When we say environment considerations we are not speaking of the world outside, but rather the environment in which you keep your furniture. Any Amish furniture for sale you find will have one thing in common: it will respond to changes in both temperature and humidity in the room. It will either expand or contract depending on the scenario, and for that reason, try to keep the environment tuned as follows:

Indoor Humidity: 30-45%

Indoor Temperature: 60-80 degrees

It is advised that you maintain these temperatures in this manner at all times of the year and that you continue to follow other important routine maintenance procedures.

Basic Maintenance for Amish Furniture

It all starts with the basics, so keep this in mind:

Clean and PolishYou need to make sure that you’re cleaning and polishing the furniture regularly. You don’t need to do it every single day, but you do need to work cleaning into your regular schedule.

Cover Used SurfacesAny surface that you eat on, or do any sort of work on should remain covered when you are doing so.

Watch for InfestationsYou won’t see any bugs infesting your plastic furniture but solid wood can attract termites. If you see any signs of infestation, address it immediately.

When you buy Amish furniture online you are buying more than just a chair to sit in or a table to eat at; you are making a serious investment and one that you will need to make sure you are protecting. The best Amish furniture will last a lifetime as long s you take care of it!