Browsing throughonline furniture storesfor great wood pieces, but don’t know your oak vs. maple?
Not sure if pine is a hardwood?
Pine
Pine is an inexpensive, lightweight wood that can be yellowish or whitish with brown knots.
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It’s often used for rustic pieces, like farmhouse-style tables.
(The same holds true for birch and poplar.)
Pine develops a nice, rustic patina from age and use, and it resists shrinking and swelling.
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Cons:Pine is a softwood, so it’s prone to scratches and dents.
Cherry
Cherry is a hardwood with a fine, straight grain that ranges from reddish-brown to blond.
It is often used for carved chairs but also shows up in clean-lined Shaker-style tables and cabinets.
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Pros:It’s easily shaped and shines up easily with a goodfurnish polish.
Unstained, it has a rich, beautiful color.
Cons:Cherry wood is expensive.
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Sometimes the color darkens with age (which can be a pro for some people).
Maple
Maple is a creamy white hardwood that sometimes has a reddish tinge.
Pros:Maple is affordable and ultra-durable.
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It can take a beating and look great for years.
Cons:If maple is not properly sealed first, the staining can look blotchy.
Oak
Oak is a hardwood that tends to be very grainy.
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Oak is often used in pieces made in the Arts and Crafts or Mission style.
Pros:Oak wood is very durable and often cut in a way that makes it resistant to warping.
Because of its visible wavy grain, it has a distinctive look.
A clear finish nicely highlights the grain.
Cons:Stain can overly darken and exaggerate the grain, so it can end up looking two-toned.
Pros:Walnut is a very strong and stable wood that can take intricate carving.
The color can be beautiful.
Walnut is also one of the more costly woods.
