Use Amish Furniture to Get Ready for your new Baby

There is nothing more exciting than expecting a new baby and one of the greatest parts about the entire process is furnishing your nursery. You need so many things! You need toys, you need books, you need bottles and diapers, but most importantly, you’re going to need furniture for the nursery. In our opinion, this is a great time for you to start investing in Amish furniture.

Why Use Amish Furniture?

When you’re buying furniture for your child there are a few things that you want to be sure of. First of all, you want it to look good, and secondly, you want it to be safe. There are lots of different options out there when it comes to nursery furniture, some of which are better than others, and when it comes right down to it, Amish furniture simply takes the cake when it comes to safety and elegance.

Real Wood Used in Amish Furniture for Sale

Amish furniture for sale onlineWhen you buy Amish furniture you are purchasing something that is made of real wood rather than particle board and that’s a huge deal! Solid wood furniture is made to last and it is also made to take quite the beating.

You are purchasing furniture from an Amish furniture store that will be placed in your child’s room and you cannot predict what will happen to it over the years.

That being said, you should figure out where to buy Amish furniture, because it will withstand decades of jostling, bumping, and even outright beating. You really could not make a better investment.

Pass it Down

You know as well as we do that at some point your children will outgrow the furniture you purchase for them, but with Amish furniture, you don’t have to worry about it wearing out! The great thing about Amish furniture for sale online is that it lasts a lifetime and you can pass it down to your next child. Best of all, your children could pass it down to their children, creating an incredible family tradition that all started with you reading this article and purchasing your first piece of Amish furniture.

 

Living Room Tips: How to Choose an Entertainment Center

So you’re finally getting ready to outfit your living room with new furniture and you’re not quite sure where to start. If you’re here reading this then you know that you want to buy Amish furniture, and first, we want to congratulate you on making such a great choice! Amish furniture can last a lifetime and beyond, making it an indispensable part of your home and of course your living room. As you’re setting up your living room one of your biggest decision is going to lie with the entertainment center, so how do you go about making such a decision? What should you be doing? What should you be looking for?

Amish Furniture Tips: Choosing the Right Entertainment Center

Amish Entertainment CenterIf you look for Amish furniture online, especially for an entertainment center, you are probably going to find that it’s a bit tough, for a few reasons. First of all, there are so many different types out there! How are you even supposed to choose one? Don’t worry, it’s not that hard as long as you are taking some of the most obvious factors into account.

Size

There are quite a few different entertainment centers at the Amish furniture store and choosing the right one is a matter of size if we’re being perfectly honest here. You need to choose something that is going to mesh properly with the environment that you’re in and that’s not always going to be easy. Flat top entertainment centers, for example, are going to be a great choice for you if you are working in a limited space, but here are several others to choose among.

Style

What type of entertainment center do you want, exactly? There are lots of choices, but there are two main styles that you’ll want to pay attention to.

Flat TopThis looks more like a cabinet but it is, in fact, an entertainment center. They allow you to place a TV of virtually any size so long as it has a pedestal stand. Beneath these cabinets, you will have plenty of great storage designed for DVD’s and other important audio/video items.

Cabinet StyleThe cabinet style entertainment center is yet another great piece of Amish furniture for sale that you can use to facilitate your love of audio/video equipment. A cabinet ensures that your TV is enclosed and that you can store more items. These even include display case for items that you want to show off.

Get the Style that Suits you Best

As you shop for Amish furniture, entertainment centers especially, it will be important for you to find something that works for you and something that you can enjoy. It won’t be long before you have a house full of Amish furniture!

 

How to Dry Wood Fast for Amish Woodworking

Hardwood furniture has always been the cornerstone of long lasting furnishings due to its durability and functionality. Amish furniture, in particular, is highly sought after in Washington since it’s hand crafted and is typically made using 100% wood. If the wood is not properly dried within the first two years of being cut it will begin to warp, so the techniques surrounding the drying process are vital to maintain quality craftsmanship.

What is Wood Warping in Amish Furniture?

Wood warping occurs when different parts of a piece of lumber begin to change unevenly causing a deformity. When one part of a piece of wood dries faster than another, the drier part shrinks faster and this causes a stress in the lumber, this changes the shape of the wood and causes it to bend.

Different Types of Wood Drying

Amish furnitureWood drying, especially for Amish furniture, is a vital component in woodworking to ensure the finished product comes out without defects. Wood drying techniques can vary depending on the area with some being more expensive than others. One technique is to allow the lumber to sit passively at any humidity level. This technique is called ‘seasoning’ and it’s the slower form, but it’s also the simplest and least expensive to do. The downside is the drying times can vary depending on the species of wood, the thickness of the lumber, the conditions, moisture level, and the processing techniques used for the wood.

The rule of thumb in seasoning lumber is that for every inch of wood thickness it needs one year to air dry. This obviously means several years of wood laying out to air dry so another technique to process green wood into boards is to use a kiln.

A kiln is a large, insulated chamber which can consist of a room with controlled airflow, temperature, and humidity to dry wood efficiently. The wood drying is necessary for Amish furniture and brings the lumber down to the preferred moisture content. This technique ensures the wood is dried more evenly and minimizes the moisture gradient on the outer shell and the inner core of the lumber.

Improper Drying

The best Amish furniture will be dried correctly and there should be no imperfections in the lumber when it’s used for a new project. Kiln drying has its drawbacks though since it can create internal stresses in the wood. When an improper kiln schedule is being used or corrective measures are not put in place soon enough, this can result in case hardening.

Case hardening is a defect where the outer shell of the wood will dry faster than the inner core. When the shell tries to shrink it’s inhibited by the core that still contains moisture which causes the outer shell to stretch and when the core begins to dry out the reverse happens, the stiff outer shell prohibiting the core from fully shrinking.

Wood drying is important for the making and crafting of Amish furniture to ensure the lumber doesn’t warp within two years. When done properly, wood drying will lead to high-quality lumber that is used for making long lasting furniture.

 

Create a Living Room Centerpiece with These Amish Furniture Ideas

If your living room is missing that special element that makes it unique, welcoming, and functional, then the perfect Amish furniture ideas could be all that you need to turn things around. Televisions have been the focal point of most living rooms for more than half a century, but sometimes the way we frame them is less than ideal.

If you want to enjoy modern entertainment while still retaining the class and style that will make your home truly unique, then you could consider Amish furniture entertainment centers from the Amish Showroom.

Why Choose an Amish Furniture Entertainment Center?

Amish FurnitureAn entertainment center is the focal point of a modern living room. It serves the function by housing your television and other media equipment, and a large entertainment center can also be used for storage and for displaying important family keepsakes.

Just like your bathroom vanity or kitchen counter, the entertainment center is the most important piece of the room.

When you buy Amish furniture online you will have a choice of styles, material, and finishes. Many people still associate Amish furniture with antique styling. While there’s plenty of tradition that goes into every piece, Amish styles can still be contemporary, and a handmade entertainment unit won’t look out of place in your modern home.

We offer a range of options at the Amish Showroom; your premier destination to buy Amish furniture online. The following are three suggestions that could give you an idea of how your home would look.

An Amish Furniture Corner Unit for Your Living Room

For a traditional corner unit that has both presence and style, you could consider the Boulder Creek Corner Media Console. Available in a range of woods that are finished in high-biomass EcoPoxy, you could get the perfect stain that brings out the style of your living room. If you’re aiming for a contemporary aesthetic, then try using a deep brown maple in Graphite, Onyx, or Espresso.

A Minimalistic Entertainment Center for a Clean Aesthetic

If you prefer to keep things low profile, then the Caledonia TV Cabinet is a great option. It has a strong presence without taking up a lot of physical space, which is perfect if you want your multimedia experience to be fully immersive. At 72” in length, this piece of Amish Furniture won’t leave you lacking in terms of storage from the handcrafted cabinets. Both solid and glass paneled cabinets round out the design. As with all our online Amish furniture, you’ll be able to choose the perfect timber and finish to match your home décor.

Go Big with This Bungalow Wall Unit – A Master Example of Handcrafted Amish Furniture

If you want maximum presence and storage options, then our Bungalow Wall Unit is designed for you. Soft close drawers are available on custom orders. In standard configuration, you’ll find more storage options than you would expect from an entertainment center, and this could help you to streamline your living room storage. A large unit like this would be perfect if you really want to bring the attention of the room to one single area.

Browse our complete collection of entertainment centers and other beautiful Amish furniture for your living room. A beautiful home is just one click away, and with easy online ordering, you’ll find that The Amish Showroom becomes your new favorite place to shop.

 

Tips for Protecting your Investment in Amish Furniture

Amish furniture is expensive and there is simply no way for us to get around that. If you’ve tried less expensive furniture in the past then you already know that there is a reason to avoid it – there is nothing worse than a chair made from particle board or a dresser that falls apart within the first year. If you’re here reading this then it can only assume that you’ve finally come to the realization that cheap furniture just doesn’t make the grade. With that being the case, you’ve decided to look into Amish furniture prices, and after you spend that kind of money, you certainly want to make sure you take care of the pieces that you do buy.

Tips for Taking Care of your Amish Furniture

Amish Furniture MaintenanceAmish furniture is much like any other piece of furniture that you would keep around the house and there are certain things you can do to take care of it. Let’s go over some of the more obvious things now:

Keep it Dry

This should be a matter of course for any surface in your home – you want to make sure that you’re keeping it dry to avoid rotting or mold growth. It might not happen overnight, but if you leave your surfaces wet too often it will happen sooner than you think. Old growth wood used in the best Amish furniture does help to keep water penetration down to a minimum but as always, common sense does need to be used.

Consider Sanding and Staining

This is a more advanced technique with Amish furniture but if it is something that you can pull off, then more power to you! After a time the stain on your furniture might begin to fade or even degrade. If you want to return that piece to its former glory, you’re going to need to sand it down and restain it.

Avoid Running into It

If you can, always make sure that there is adequate space to maneuver around your furniture so that it is not constantly bumped or jostled. Amish furniture is tough and can take a beating, but you will still want to be as careful as possible.

Perform Routine Maintenance

With even the best Amish furniture you will need to make sure that you are performing routine maintenance. This means tightening screws, adjusting bolts, and so on. This basic maintenance will keep your furniture in good shape for many years to come.

Keeping up with your furniture maintenance is crucial, so follow the above tips and make sure you keep your furniture pieces is a pristine condition for many years to come.

 

The Top Two Types of Amish Furniture Designs

Not every piece of Amish furniture is created equal, these handcrafted pieces vary in design and have aspects that make each piece unique. This even comes down to the style itself, the two main ones being the Shaker and Mission styles of furniture made by the Amish. Each style has its own unique history and distinctive characteristics that make them stand out compared to other furniture options.

Shaker Amish Furniture

Amish Furniture DesignsThe best Amish furniture made in the Shaker style is easily identified by its subtle curves, round wooden knobs, and tapered legs. The features of this furniture style are traditional and have a gentle appearance. Maple wood is the ideal wood for Shaker furniture, but many pieces have been made using cherry, maple, and pine. This style is often used for bedroom and dining room sets but has also been applied to baby furniture.

The beautiful and simple Shaker style is wonderful for its tapering design that is used to keep furniture light and sturdy. Tapering helps to eliminate excess materials to keep a piece lighter and turned legs offer the same, strong support as thicker pieces. Shaker Amish furniture also doesn’t feature any inlay, veneers, or other woodwork to make it stand out. The furniture showcases a humble lifestyle paired with durability and functionality with a simple, yet elegant beauty.

Mission Amish Furniture

The Mission style of Amish furniture takes some inspiration from its Shaker cousin but has its own distinctive characteristics to tell it apart. The straight angle, sturdy slats, and stable legs are the focal point of this type of furniture. Mission furniture typically has a darker stain compared to the earlier version of the Shaker style pieces. The Mission style does feature some ornamentation, but it still calls for a simplicity in its design.

Durability and functionality are still present in the Mission style with exposed joinery showing off the beauty and strength of the furniture. One of the most distinctive features of this style of furniture is the parallel slats that are present to give the appearance of strength. The uniform lines and the harmony of each piece of the furniture are tedious to make, but it showcases a truly deep appreciation for each Mission style piece made.

Each style of furniture carries with it the reputation of durability and longevity that makes it an excellent addition to any home. The furniture is built to be used every day and over time will become a natural fit to any household.

 

The Use of Tapering in Amish Furniture

You already know that the quality of Amish furniture is not to be argued with, but are you aware of any of the aesthetic techniques that are used? One used in the best Amish furniture is tapering, which can be seen on many pieces, and while it was seen often in the mid-century pieces, it tapers off (no pun intended) in the latter half of the 20th century. We are however seeing a resurgence of tapering in modern interior design, meaning it is going to be in just about any Amish furniture store that you come across.

Tapering in Amish Furniture – You’ve Seen It Before

Amish furniture for saleThe tapered leg is a product of the Mid-Century Modern period, and even if you aren’t a huge fan of that period there is a good chance you’ve already seen it. Tapering is defined as a gradual thinning as legs become closer to the floor, and it has been used since ancient times. Now, it is the defining feature of Mid-Century Modern pieces. Nearly any antique furniture you see today will probably use tapering of some kind, making it an essential part of furniture design.

Something to keep in mind is that not all tapered legs are created equal – there are some that are set at an angle rather than straight down, with that profile shape which immediately identifies them as a vintage piece of furniture. Some pieces have a rounded leg and some have a square tapered leg, both of which are unique and very useful in furniture design.

The Function of Tapered Legs

The purpose of tapered legs is two-fold if you haven’t guessed yet”

Aesthetics: Yes, tapered legs look great and they go well with virtually any kind of décor, especially if you’re going for the mid-century look. They can be used on dressers, tables, couches, and even coffee tables.

Functionality: The secondary function of the tapered leg that you see in a lot of Amish furniture for sale is weight. You can still have the full support of a standard leg while significantly decreasing the weight of the piece, making it far easier to move. This especially comes in handy with beds as they are large and sometimes need to be moved.

There are many different styles and form factors which you’ll find as you look for Amish furniture online. Make sure you get something that will suit your needs and most importantly, take advantage of that tapered leg style!

 

Dovetail vs. Rabbet Joints in Amish Furniture

When Amish furniture is being constructed in Oregon there is a heavy emphasis on using the correct joints to hold a piece together and to enhance the style. People unfamiliar with the subject may not realize how important joints are when it comes to furniture. The joints are the primary focal point for many pieces of furniture and are the key to bringing everything together and it from falling apart. Furniture with low-quality joints will wobble and weaken over time due to their poor construction.

Dovetail Amish Furniture

Dovetail joints are one of the most common ones used in Amish furniture and will probably be the first one people encounter. Dovetail joints are characterized by their interlocking fingers that allow for one piece of wood to be connected to another. Chances are the furniture people own probably has dovetail joints like in the front of a drawer that will have tail-shaped cut-outs and there will be pins that stick out on the sides of the drawer to hold it together.

The advantage of this joint is the sheer strength and durability it offers, especially when it concerns hardwood furniture. The wood is interlocked which means there’s less likelihood of the pieces pulling apart and combined with the hand-picked quality of Amish furniture for sale it’s a combination made in woodworking heaven.

Rabbet Joints

Amish FurnitureRabbet joints are another common feature to be found in Amish furniture and chances are people have them in their own home. The joint works by having a reinforced butt joint that has one or both pieces notched perfectly to be fit together. The joints are then reinforced using nails or screws to keep them locked together.

Rabbet joints are popular for woodworking since they’re easy to make and quite strong compared to others. The joints are used mainly for the corners of cabinet pieces, but they’re more commonly found being used for shelving.

The quality of the joints speaks volumes on the type of craftsmanship of Amish furniture for sale and how well the furnishings will hold up over time. Dovetail is used primarily in drawers and is a strong indicator of quality craftsmanship while rabbet joints provide critical support for the corners of cabinet pieces and shelving. Good quality furniture will make use of both of these woodworking joints when they’re needed during the construction.

Searching for the telltale signs of these joints shows quality craftsmanship and ensures the furniture will be serviceable over a long period of time. Amish furniture is typically made using 100% wood and can last for a lifetime if built right. The furniture is made with functionality, durability, and longevity in mind to ensure it’s able to last for generations. Each piece of furniture carries with it the rich history of generations worth of master craftsmanship, trial, and error.

Keep an eye out for these joints in furniture when shopping around since they’re a strong indicator it will last. Well-built furniture is meant to stand the test of time and continue to be serviceable for several years or more.

 

Three Amish Furniture Facts You Didn’t Know

Amish furniture has a long and rich history surrounding it, with pieces today showing the craftsmanship learned and perfected over several generations. The furniture showcases a distinctive style which varies in appearance, ornamentation, and decoration that’s still celebrated today. Prime examples of the quality craftsmanship can even be found in museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Smithsonian Museum in New York City can be seen on display.

Amish Furniture is One of a Kind

Amish furniture for saleAmish beliefs often prevent the use of electricity so most of the woodworking tools used in the shops are powered by the pneumatic or hydraulic power that is able to run on a diesel compressor. There are a couple of communities that will permit some technology and allowances are made when it involves woodworking. Woodworking is a mainstay in many Amish communities, the crafting of the furniture responsible for supporting multiple families within the community.

Due to these restrictions, each piece of Amish furniture is unique since it’s crafted with durability and functionality in mind. Each piece of lumber is hand-selected for the specific piece of furniture in mind with great attention paid to the grain of the wood. When you purchase a piece of furniture made by the Amish, you’re purchasing a one of a kind piece with no other like it on the market.

The Green Product

Hardwood furniture has always been in great demand for its sustainability and durability, Amish furniture, in particular, is known for being made out of 100% wood which means it’s considered a green product. In the unfortunate event, the furniture breaks down or is damaged beyond the point of repair, when it’s disposed of it won’t harm the environment. The wood is able to break down naturally creating little to no waste and there is little if any harmful byproducts to worry about.

Collection of Wood

The best Amish furniture for sale is typically made from high-quality hardwoods like pine, northern red oak, cedar, quarter sawn white oak, hickory, cherry, walnut, maple, mahogany, maple, and beech. People who have a favorite kind of wood can often find it without much issue, one of the most popular being northern red oak. The northern red oak is known for its long-standing durability, warmth, and color and is typically found in the Appalachian Mountains in the Eastern U.S.

White oak is another popular lumber that is harder than red oak, but the antique appearance of the wood makes it an ideal choice for the Shaker and Mission styles of Amish furniture for sale. The cherry, on the other hand, is one of the most easily recognizable woods used due to its light reddish-brown color that will continue to darken when exposed to heat and light. Maple wood is also another popular option for Amish wood furniture for the wide spectrum of beauty it offers and has been showcased in many fine pieces.

Amish furniture for sale carries with it years of tradition, history, and generations worth of perfecting craftsmanship. Each piece of furniture is unique with its own characteristics and will last for generations to come.

 

What is Amish Furniture? A Brief Overview

 

When you hear the word ‘Amish’, you automatically think high quality, and it’s not a coincidence. The Amish take great pride in every single thing they do whether they’re raising cattle, cooking, or building furniture. Before we go any further, what are the Amish? Why is their work so revered, and why is it of such high quality? There are a few reasons, but it all goes back to understanding who the Amish are and what they stand for.

Who are the Amish, and What is Amish Furniture?

Amish furniture storeFirst of all, the Amish are a religious sect that exists across the country. Living isolated, highly regimented lives, they have rejected most modern ideas, which extends to food preparation methods, the use of electricity, modern transportation, and more. This separation from modern life gives them the ability to concentrate on the more important things, such as family, and of course, construction methods for the greatest furniture in the world.

This is something that you will easily find at any Amish furniture store, and you should take note that most Amish furniture is manufactured by those from Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio. One of their most notable attributes is the fact that they are made from 100% wood without the use of either particle board or laminate. In addition to that, for the most part, Amish woodworkers tend to stick to the more traditional methods which sets them apart from most other furniture manufacturers in the United States.

A Legacy to Pass On

The Amish have laid their roots in America’s soil in more ways than one. Their methods stretch back through the generations, with virtually nothing changing over the years in terms of their construction methods. These methods passed down through the years, ultimately result in a product that virtually anyone can be proud of.

If you choose to invest in Amish furniture, you will be getting a piece that is of the highest quality, and something that will last for a lifetime. Not to mention you will be able to pass it down to the next generation. By investing in Amish furniture, you are creating a legacy that you can be absolutely proud of, and one that will be highly functional.

Where to Buy Amish Furniture

Fortunately, you won’t have to rush to Ohio or Pennsylvania to buy the best Amish furniture. These days you can buy Amish furniture online, and it won’t take long for it to be delivered right to your home. Just make sure you’re buying from legitimate, authentic dealers, and that you’re getting the right style for your home. Do some research, ask the right questions, and most importantly, get a great piece of furniture for your home.