What are the main types of wood for furniture? Furniture is made from three main types of wood: hardwoods (such as oak, maple, walnut, cherry and ash), softwoods (such as pine, cedar and fir) and engineered wood (such as plywood, MDF and particle board, often finished with a real wood veneer). Oak and maple are the best all-round choices for durability. Walnut and cherry are prized for their looks, pine is the most affordable solid wood, and engineered wood gives a stable, even surface.
This guide compares the common wood species for furniture, explains what labels like "solid wood" and "veneer" mean, and shows which wood types suit which pieces.
Wood Types for Furniture at a Glance
The Janka hardness test measures how much force it takes to press a small steel ball into a piece of wood. Higher numbers mean better resistance to dents. The figures below are approximate and vary by source and species.
| Wood | Type | Janka hardness (lbf) | Look | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard maple | Hardwood | About 1,450 | Pale, fine grain | Dressers, tables, kids' furniture |
| White oak | Hardwood | About 1,360 | Tan, strong grain | Dining tables, chairs, cabinets |
| Ash | Hardwood | About 1,320 | Pale, bold grain | Chairs, bent parts |
| Beech | Hardwood | About 1,300 | Pale, even grain | Chairs, bentwood, frames |
| Red oak | Hardwood | About 1,290 | Warm pink-brown, open grain | Tables, bookcases |
| Birch | Hardwood | About 1,260 (yellow birch) | Pale, subtle grain | Painted pieces, plywood |
| Teak | Hardwood | About 1,000–1,150 | Golden, oily | Outdoor furniture |
| Black walnut | Hardwood | About 1,010 | Rich chocolate brown | Fine furniture, mid-century pieces |
| Cherry | Hardwood | About 950 | Red-brown, deepens with age | Traditional bedroom and dining pieces |
| Rubberwood | Hardwood | About 900 | Pale, takes stain well | Table legs, frames, everyday furniture |
| Mahogany | Hardwood | About 800–900, varies widely | Deep reddish brown | Antique-style furniture, carving |
| Pine | Softwood | About 400–870, by species | Pale yellow, knots | Rustic pieces, frames, budget solid wood |
| Cedar | Softwood | Soft; varies by species | Reddish, aromatic | Chests, closet linings, outdoor pieces |
Don't read too much into hardness alone. A well-made piece in a softer wood can outlast a badly built piece in a harder one, and construction matters at least as much as species. Hardwood and softwood are also botanical terms rather than strict measures: hardwoods come from broadleaf trees, softwoods from conifers.
Hardwoods for Furniture
Hardwoods grow more slowly and are generally dense, durable and more costly than softwoods. They're the standard for fine furniture.
Oak
Oak is the classic choice for furniture building. It's strong, widely available and has a distinct grain that hides small dents. Red oak has a warmer color and a more open grain, while white oak is slightly harder and more moisture resistant. Learn more in our oak dining table guide.
Maple
Hard maple is among the hardest domestic woods and has a smooth, fine grain. It's a good choice for pieces that take a lot of wear. It can blotch when stained, so it's most often finished clear or painted.
Walnut
Walnut is the most sought-after American hardwood for furniture, with a deep brown color and an attractive grain. It's softer than oak and maple, but it's stable and easy to work with. It's also one of the more costly options, which is why it's often used as a veneer.
Cherry
Cherry starts a light reddish color and darkens with exposure to light over the years. It has a smooth, fine grain and suits traditional designs. It's moderately hard, so tabletops can pick up marks.
Mahogany
Mahogany has long been a favorite for antique furniture, because it carves well and has a rich color. Genuine mahogany is now limited, and many "mahogany" products are related or substitute species, so check the description.
Ash, beech and birch
These pale hardwoods offer good strength at a more moderate cost. Ash and beech bend well, so they're used for chairs. Birch has a subtle grain, takes paint well and is widely used for plywood.
Rubberwood
Rubberwood comes from rubber trees that are harvested after their latex-producing years, so it's often described as a good use of a tree that would otherwise be waste. It's a sturdy, stable hardwood that takes stain well, and it's common in everyday furniture.
Teak
Teak's natural oils make it resistant to moisture and insects, so it's the standard for outdoor furniture. It's costly, and sustainability matters here, so look for certified sources.
Softwoods for Furniture
Pine
Pine is the most common softwood for furniture. It's light, cheap compared with most hardwoods, and easy to work with. It shows dents more readily, and its knots give it a rustic character. Good pine furniture can last for decades if it's well built, and pine takes paint and color finishes well.
Cedar
Cedar resists moisture and insects naturally, and its aroma is why it's used for chests and closet linings. It's soft, so it's better for outdoor and storage pieces than for tabletops.
Fir and spruce
These softwoods are mostly used for structure, including sofa frames, drawer sides and the hidden parts of furniture.
Engineered Wood: Plywood, MDF and Particle Board
Engineered wood is made by bonding wood layers, fibers or chips with glue. It isn't automatically low quality. In many modern pieces it's the right material for the job, because it resists warping better than solid boards.
| Material | How it's made | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood | Thin layers glued in alternating directions | Strong, stable, holds screws | Edges need finishing |
| Medium density fiberboard (MDF) | Fine wood fibers pressed with resin | Smooth, ideal for paint and carved detail | Heavy; swells if water gets in |
| Particle board | Wood chips pressed with glue | Cheap, light | Weakest option; holds screws poorly |
| Veneer | A thin slice of real wood on a core | Real wood look, stable, efficient use of rare species | Deep damage can't be sanded out |
Our solid wood vs MDF guide compares them in more detail.
How to Read a Furniture Label
- Solid wood: the visible parts are made of real boards. Check whether that means the whole piece or only the frame.
- Wood veneer: a real wood surface over a different core.
- "Walnut finish" or "oak color": this describes the color, not always the species. Look for the material line in the specifications.
- Mixed materials: most furniture blends solid wood with engineered panels. That isn't a bad sign on its own.
- Laminate: a printed surface, not real wood.
Also look at the construction. Check the drawers for good glides and solid joints, see if the piece sits level, and check that it feels sturdy when you push on it. A good finish and sound joinery say more about quality than one word in a title.
The Best Wood for Each Piece of Furniture
| Furniture | Best wood types | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dining tables | Oak, maple, walnut, ash | Hard surfaces resist daily wear |
| Dining chairs | Ash, beech, oak | Strong and flexible |
| Dressers and storage | Oak, maple, plywood, veneered panels | Stable, with smooth drawers |
| Bookcases | Oak, plywood, solid pine | Stiff shelves that resist sagging |
| Sofa frames | Hardwood, plywood | Strong joints under load |
| Painted furniture | Maple, birch, MDF | Smooth, even surface |
| Outdoor furniture | Teak, cedar | Natural moisture resistance |
For more on tables, read the best wood for a dining table.
Common Wood Finishes
The finish matters as much as the species for how a piece wears.
- Oil: soaks in and keeps a natural feel; needs top-ups
- Wax: soft sheen and easy touch-ups, with light protection
- Shellac: a traditional finish with a warm glow; sensitive to heat and alcohol
- Lacquer: fast-drying with a smooth, durable surface
- Varnish: a tough clear coat
- Polyurethane: the most protective clear finish for tables
- Paint or stain: changes the color; stain shows the grain, paint hides it
Caring for Wood Furniture
Wood reacts to moisture, heat and sun. Keep it away from radiators and long periods of direct sunlight, use coasters, and wipe spills quickly. Dust with a soft, dry cloth, and avoid harsh cleaners. Stable indoor humidity helps prevent warping and cracks. See how to protect a wood dining table and how to refinish wood furniture.
What Homsee Furniture Is Made Of
We list materials in the specification of every product page. Here's how these different types of wood show up across our furniture:
- Solid pine: the Orbis Streamline Edge TV Console is listed as solid pine wood, and comes in Natural Wood and Black Walnut colors.
- Solid wood with engineered panels: the Orbis Rounded Edge Sideboard combines solid pine, MDF and engineered wood veneer.
- Solid wood, plywood and veneer: the Solid Wood Round Pedestal Dining Table is made from solid pine, plywood and red oak veneer.
- Rubberwood: the Upholstered Round Coffee Table has a rubberwood frame.
- MDF: the Relievo Grand Mantel Fireplace uses painted MDF, which suits its carved details and smooth surface.
Browse our dining tables and sideboards, and check the material line of any piece you're considering.
FAQ
Which type of wood is best for furniture?
Oak is the best all-round choice, since it's strong, widely available and easy to care for. Maple is harder, walnut is the most prized for looks, and pine is the most affordable solid option.
What are the top 10 best types of wood for furniture?
Oak, maple, walnut, cherry, mahogany, ash, teak, birch, beech and pine are the most commonly recommended.
What are five common types of wood?
Oak, maple, walnut, cherry and pine are the five you'll see most often in furniture stores.
What is the strongest wood for furniture?
Among common domestic woods, hard maple and white oak are among the hardest. Hardness is only one factor, though. Joinery and design also affect strength.
Is pine good for furniture?
Yes. Pine is light and easy to work with, and it makes attractive furniture. It's softer than hardwoods, so it can dent more easily, but a solid build and a good finish go a long way.
Is engineered wood bad?
No. Plywood and MDF are stable and are used in plenty of good furniture. Keep them dry, and check how the piece is built.
How can you tell what wood furniture is made of?
Check the specifications first. In person, look at the grain pattern, the color, the weight and any unfinished areas such as the underside or the back. A repeating grain pattern on the edge of a panel often points to veneer.
Related: Solid wood vs MDF · Best wood for a dining table · How to refinish wood furniture · How to clean MDF furniture