The Benefits Of Oak Furniture

Oak furniture is an expensive hardwood often used in contemporary decorating, and in more rustic log cabin decoration. It brings instant refined style and remarkable warmth to a room. It is a very durable wood, able to stand through the test of time, regardless of what it is used for. Oak furniture is versatile because it blends in with almost any interior but also adds a sense of sophistication to any room. Oak furniture also allows personality to shine through and can be used throughout the house with very few accent pieces needed.

Oak is a dense hardwood that has tannin acid present in its grain that prevents insects from drilling into the trunk. Therefore it is capable of producing large, solid pieces. It also makes great outdoor furniture pieces because it is somewhat naturally water resistant. When treated properly it will likely never be replaced and can often be passed down as an heirloom. Oak furniture also makes great furniture for children because it is as easily cared for and equally as resistant to damage. In a nursery it can make an elegant statement for an infant boy or girl.

Oak furniture offers great versatility as far as furniture is concerned, it comes in many colours and grains and that allows it to be better matched with many interior designs. Even unstained oak is beautiful, few woods are capable of being visually appealing without first being treated and stained. There are tight grains and loose grains and each gives a unique look. Oak furniture has several tones as well, light and dark, warmer and cooler. Oak furniture looks wonderful as a simple coffee table or an elegant armoire that is carved. Even one piece of oak furniture lends warmth and an inviting feeling to a room.

Acquiring oak furniture is often an art; many people treat old oak pieces as works of art and go to great lengths to acquire them from antique warehouses and even other collectors. This is largely because oak furniture is an investment of a lifetime. It will likely outlive the buyer, and the buyer’s children. The cheap wood-chip and particle board furniture of today pales in comparison to these pieces of art.

The latest part of the house to be decked out in oak is the kitchen; Americans and Europeans are falling in love with the look that oak cabinets, and oak dining tables provide. These attributes lend a sophisticated, yet comforting air to the kitchen. The look of light oak accessories go well with a dark or warm counter-top, and vice versa for a dark stain of oak accents, a lighter granite counter-top looks elegant. And in a kitchen durability is almost as important as the look of the oak wood furniture; one can be assured that anything constructed of oak will hold up to years of wear and tear. The oak furniture and oak dining table will be the centerpiece of the kitchen and almost any colour will compliment it.

Another interesting aspect to oak furniture is the restoration of old pieces. It is one of the only types of furniture aside from metal pieces that have survived through many years. Often times some of the most famous pieces of furniture were from the aristocracy of the mid to late 1800’s and are the most sought after pieces. It has become a favourite pastime and hobby of many people to restore these pieces and has been rewarding and often prosperous. To prolong the life of the oak furniture, it is important to take proper care of it. The oak furniture must be cleaned and free of dirt. If the staining is damaged it is important to remove the damaged layer of stain and sanding must be done before stain can be applied. It is also important to keep a fresh coating of polyurethane.

Oak furniture is very versatile and durable. It compliments almost any décor and in is appropriate in almost any setting, including outside. The popular Adirondack chairs are often made of oak and are designed to withstand almost any weather outside. The grain of the wood makes it unique and beautiful when paired with the proper staining and it gives the wood better contrast. The more stain applied to the oak furniture the better the grain looks. It also gives it a beautiful sheen and a gossamer glow. It is vastly superior to other woods, such as pine is softer and the wood is too porous and absorbs far too much stain. Not to mention the durability of softer woods is not nearly as great as that of oak, nor is the life expectancy of the furniture piece. Oak furniture has been a pivotal part of interior decorating dating well back into the early dark ages and is best known for its beautiful grain, depth of colour, and enduring quality.

By: Paul Myers

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About the author: Oak Furniture Land supply solid oak and other solid hardwood furniture. Find out more about our range of Oak Coffee Tables and Oak Dinning Tables at: coffee tables | dining table | oak sideboards