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

The 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!