Oak Dining Tables

Why would you choose to buy oak furniture when there are so many other styles and materials to choose from?  I mean, if you flip though a furniture catalog, you can see tons of beautiful furniture made from pine, maple, and mahogany.  What’s so special about oak furniture?

First of all, oak is known for its specific style and durability.  I don’t know about you, but when I hear the word, “oak,” the word “strong” just naturally pops into my head.  No other wood I can think of has such character.

Another reason you might want to choose oak furniture is that carpenters and craftsmen of all sorts swear that it’s the best.  This has been true for hundreds, if not thousands of years.  But what is oak, exactly?

Oak is a broad leaf, deciduous tree which is native to the northern hemisphere, mostly North America and Europe.  It is believed that oak furniture was some of the first furniture to ever be built out of something besides rock.

When considering oak furniture, keep in mind there are two varieties of oak.  These are red and white.  Both are similar, but are different in some very important ways.  Let me explain.

White oak has longer rays, and is slightly more durable than its red counterpart.  Since it’s super tough and resistant to rotting and dampness, it’s the ideal choice for outdoor furniture.

Red oak, on the other hand, is used more for flooring, furniture, and kitchenware.  It’s very easy to stain, sand, and finish.  Most indoor oak furniture available today comes from red oak.

The beauty from both varieties comes from its color and grain.  Oak’s color can be anywhere from a light brown or gold to a darker brown.  It’s very porous, which is why it stains so well.

If you want high-end and high-quality furnishings for your home, oak furniture is the natural choice.

Solid wood furniture doesn’t really go bad, unlike the piece of cheese that’s been in my fridge going on six months now. 

If anything, age brings solid wood furniture even more character and charm.  I’m amazed when I go to yard sales and see solid wood end and coffee tables with price tags of 50 cents, when all these pieces need is some love and attention, and they’d be like new.  Better, in fact.

So, if you find an old piece of solid wood furniture, how can you give it what it needs to look alive again?  Does Grandma’s oak dining table really need to go to the trash heap, or can it be saved?

First, you’re going to need some furniture soap.  Ask around and find a brand that comes highly recommended.  You’ll also need some furniture cream, a rubbing compound (usually found in automotive stores), and some furniture polish.  Oh, and some soft, clean rags.

If your solid wood furniture piece has some really nasty scratches or dents, you might need some stain or wood filler.

The first thing you’ll need to do is to dust off the piece.  Then, wash the piece with the furniture soap and a slightly moist, soft rag.  Never expose your solid wood furniture to too much moisture, so make sure the rag is just barely damp.  Also, while washing, be sure to take your time and rinse the rag often.

If there are fine scratches on the surface, or if it’s just dull, use the rubbing compound to gently rub the surface, going the same direction as the grain.  Keep in mind that the rubbing compound is a very fine sanding, so do this lightly.  And, whatever you do, do not use a swirling motion with your solid wood furniture.

Again, using a clean, damp cloth, wipe the surface clean of all the residue.  Wring your rag out again.

Fill in the fine scratches with stain.  If there are larger nicks or dents, fill those in with wood filler.  Let these dry before going ahead.  Wipe the stain on evenly, making sure to wipe any excess up immediately.

When both the stain and filler have dried, use another rag to apply the furniture cream.  With still another clean, dry rag, dry and buff the piece.  Leave it for about an hour, then apply the furniture polish.

Using this simple approach, almost any piece of solid wood furniture can come back to life.

People who choose solid wood furniture do so because of its durability, style, and beauty.  Yes, it’s more expensive than wood veneer glued to particle board, but many view this as an investment, as solid wood furniture increases in value with age.

The three types of wood most commonly used in solid wood furniture are oak, mahogany, and maple.  Of these, oak is the most popular, and for a reason.

Oak is the strongest, most durable wood that exists.  In addition, it also possesses a beauty that is second to none. 

Native to North America and Europe, oak is known for producing solid wood furniture that lasts lifetimes.  It is hard and heavy.  It comes in varieties of red and white.  Of these two, red is the more popular.  Oak also stains very well, and is known for being resistant to insects, mold, scratches and dings.

Mahogany is another hardwood used to make solid wood furniture.  It grows in Central and South America and Africa.  It’s of medium hardness, is very strong, and its color is tan to a reddish brown.  Mahogany is an excellent wood for carving.

Another excellent hardwood used to make solid wood furniture is maple.  Maple is found in Eastern America.  It’s also of medium hardness, but it is much lighter in color than mahogany.  It stains very well, and can be finished with a walnut or cherry tone.

Walnut and cherry are also used for more luxurious solid wood furniture, but their cost deters a lot of buyers.