Interior Design Tips

How To Use Timber In Your Home

Due to its durability, beauty, and versatility, timber furniture pieces are a stunning addition to any home. Timber offers a classic look that can complement any décor. The wood’s natural grain is unique and eye-catching, and timber furniture has a warm, inviting feel. In addition, timber furniture is extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of different settings.

 

Whether you’re looking for a rustic look or something more modern, timber furniture is a great option. It’s highly durable, making it a wise investment for your home. With proper care, timber furniture can last for generations, becoming a cherished family heirloom.

If you’re furnishing your entire home or just adding a few accent pieces, timber furniture is an excellent choice to add beauty and value to your home. However, there are also several practical reasons why timber furniture is a great choice for the home –

 

First of all, timber is a very durable material, so furniture made from this material will last for many years. Timber is also relatively easy to care for – a light dusting is all that’s needed to keep it looking its best. Whether you’re looking for traditional or modern designs, there’s a piece of timber furniture to suit your needs.

 

There are many different types of timber that can be used for furniture making, each with its own unique grain pattern, colour and hardness. The most common types of timber used in furniture making include oak, pine, cherry, mahogany, walnut, and jarrah. Each type of timber has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the right type of timber for the specific piece of furniture you need.

• Oak is a very strong and durable timber that’s often used for making table legs and other structural parts of furniture.
• Pine is a softer timber that is easy to work with but is not as strong as oak.
• Cherry is a beautiful timber that gives furniture a luxurious look, but it can be difficult to work with.
• Mahogany is a very hard and dense timber that’s perfect for making high-end furniture, but it can be expensive.
• Walnut is a versatile timber that can be used for a variety of different pieces of furniture, but it’s not as strong as some other timbers.
• Jarrah is a timber that’s well-suited for furniture making. It’s a hardwood that’s strong and durable, yet it’s still relatively easy to work with.

 

There are a few things to consider when choosing timber furniture for your home. The type of wood, the style of the piece, and the finish are all important factors. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of timber and their use in furniture making –

 

Types of Timber

 

Oak: Solid Furniture Pieces

Oak is a timber that’s perfect for anyone looking to add some classic pieces to their home. This timber is perfect for furniture that will get a lot of use, as it’s heavy and durable. The two colours of oak – red and white – are also perfect for creating different looks in your home. If you’re looking for a timber that will last for many years, oak is a perfect choice.

Timber furniture made from red oak or white oak is beautiful and timeless. The open grain texture of these timbers gives furniture a distinct pattern, which is why oak furniture is so popular. Oak timber grows throughout many forests in temperate climates and its grain is almost always straight along the wood, giving it a clean look that’s perfect for any home. Red oak is a stronger timber than white oak, but both make elegant furniture pieces.

 

Ash: Hardy Furniture Items

When it comes to timber furniture, Ash is often a more popular choice than oak. This is because ash is harder and more receptive to painting and other finishes. As a result, it’s easier to create different looks with ash furniture. And because it is less porous, ash is also less likely to absorb stains. However, oak has its own advantages. It’s more durable than ash, meaning that it’s better able to withstand wear and tear. In addition, oak has a natural beauty that many people prefer.

 

Ash timber is also resistant to decay. This makes it an ideal material for modern furniture, as it’s more widely available than oak. Ash is also very strong and durable, making it a good choice for heavy furniture. However, ash is not as hard as oak, so it is more likely to show wear and tear over time.

 

Pine: Light Colour and Texture

Untreated pine furniture is popular for a number of reasons. To start with, pine is a relatively light-coloured timber, making it easy to paint or stain. In addition, the grain structure of pine is relatively straight and uniform, making it ideal for a range of finishes. And pine is a relatively soft timber, which makes it easy to work with. Lastly, pine timber furniture is relatively inexpensive, making it a great option for those on a budget. When it comes to choosing untreated timber furniture, pine is an excellent choice.

 

Mahogany: High-Quality Furniture

Mahogany is a timber that’s been popular for centuries, and for good reason. It’s regarded as an ‘expensive’ wood, but it’s also one of the most beautiful and durable. With its unique, dark red-brown hue, mahogany works well for almost any kind of furniture. Whether you’re looking for an investment piece or simply want to add a touch of luxury to your home, mahogany furniture is an excellent choice. When properly cared for, mahogany furniture can last for generations.

Mahogany timber is also a relatively soft wood to work with, enabling it to be shaped into fittings and ornate trims. You’ll mostly see mahogany used in cabinetry or drawer construction. When used in interior design, mahogany timber can give a room a warm and inviting feeling. It’s also perfect for creating elegant and luxurious timber furniture.

 

Walnut: Dark, Natural Colours

Walnut is one of the most popular hardwoods used in timber furniture. It’s prized for its rich, dark colour and beautiful grain pattern. While it’s more expensive than other hardwoods, its durability and versatility make it a wise investment for your home. Walnut furniture can be used in a wide variety of ways, from formal dining tables and chairs to more relaxed pieces like coffee tables, china cabinets, and television units.

Jarrah: Strength and Durability

Jarrah is also known for its rich, red colouring which can add a touch of warmth to any room and help create a feeling of luxury. Jarrah is a timber that’s well worth considering for your indoor furniture needs because it’s extremely hard wearing, making it ideal for furniture that will see heavy use. And of course, there’s its unique colouring. Compared to other timbers, Jarrah has a much deeper red hue, which can give your furniture real warmth and richness. Jarrah has a straight grain pattern that creates a clean, modern look. It’s naturally resistant to rot and insect damage, making it a good choice for outdoor furniture.

 

Common Timber Finishes

 

There are a few timber finishes that give your timber furniture a beautiful shine, making them stand-out pieces in your home.

 

High Sheen Lacquer

Lacquer is applied via a sprayer and dries on the wood to form a fine coating. The solvent in lacquer then evaporates, leaving behind a durable finish. Because lacquer is so durable, it’s often used on furniture. However, over time it can suffer discolouration and scratching.

 

Rich Polish with Natural Oils

Oils penetrate deeply into the wood, giving it a rich, polished look. Unlike lacquer, oil does not create an impervious film on the surface of the timber. This allows the timber to breathe, making it an ideal finish for natural materials such as wood. Oil finishes are available in a variety of colours, so you can choose one that best complements your home’s décor. Applying oil to timber is a relatively simple process, making it a great option for those who are looking for an easy way to improve the look of their home.

There are a few different types of oil that can be used on timber, but the most common are tung oil and linseed oil. These oils are abundant and can create a solid film when applied, though they will need to be reapplied periodically. You can also use mineral oil on surfaces where food will be placed. Oil finishes are popular because they can help protect the timber and make it look beautiful. When applied properly, they can enhance the natural grain of the wood and create a smooth, satin finish. However, it’s important to note that oil finishes require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best.

 

Golden Amber Look with Shellac

When it comes to timber finishes, many people confuse shellac and lacquer. But they aren’t the same thing. Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug. It’s mixed with alcohol to create a sealant that’s been used for centuries. Lacquer, on the other hand, is a synthetic resin that was invented in the early 20th century as a cheaper alternative to shellac. It’s made from nitrocellulose, which is derived from wood pulp. Both shellac and lacquer can be used to protect timber surfaces, but they have different properties. Shellac dries hard and has a high shine, while lacquer dries soft and has a more matte finish. Shellac is also more resistant to heat and alcohol, making it the better choice for surfaces that will be exposed to those elements.

 

Fine Polish with Wax

Wax is a popular timber finish for many reasons. It’s easy to apply, gives a natural look to timber, and protects against water damage. Wax is also a personal preference timber finish as it can be applied in a variety of ways to create different looks. For example, you can choose a high-gloss wax finish for a shiny look or a low-sheen wax finish for a more muted look. You can also choose between clear and tinted wax finishes. Tinted wax finishes will add colour to timber, whereas clear wax finishes will simply enhance the timber’s natural colour. Wax is also a temporary finish, which means it will eventually need to be re-applied. However, this is relatively easy to do and doesn’t require any specialised equipment. Overall, wax is an excellent timber finish for beginner woodworkers who want to achieve professional results with minimal effort.