Why is solid wood worth it when it comes to investing in long-lasting furniture
Furniture is ‘just furniture’ until it finds its rightful place. Once it’s in your home, it magically transforms into a member of the family. Your furniture provides you with a place to rest after a long day, a setting where you share legendary moments and have those heart-to-heart chats that can go on until the wee hours, complete with laughter, tears, and maybe a few too many dessert crumbs.
So when you decide to splurge on that dining table, comfy ‘favourite’ chair, or great-looking shelving unit, go for something that can withstand the test of time, because nobody wants furniture that looks like it’s been through a wild party or two (even if it actually has).
Enter solid wood, your trusty sidekick against the perils of everyday life. Sure, it might cost a little more than its flimsy MDF or veneer cousins. But when your friends clink glasses on that robust table, you’ll be glad it can handle the excitement, rather than turning into an embarrassing eyesore after a well-placed elbow bump.
At Urban Sales, we totally get it. We believe everyone deserves furniture that can handle life’s chaos while still looking classy. So, as we dive into this blog, get ready for some fave picks from some of the best reasonably-priced solid-wood furniture in NZ, if we do say so ourselves.
We’ll help you prioritise the superstars you want to invest in, show you how to spot quality wood (we promise it’s easier than finding a matching sock), and give you tips on caring for your beloved pieces so they can stick around for the long haul, and maybe even make it to the family heirloom category.
Best picks for every room
Let’s go through our solid wood furniture collection and share the ones that are our secret favourites. We know, we know, we shouldn’t have favourites because they’re all ours, but we can’t help it!
HOME OFFICE DESK
The office is first up. We know this is where you’ll be spending most of your waking hours, especially for those of you who work from home. A fabulous office desk setup motivates you to do your best work. Choose furniture that is made from solid wood (versus engineered wood), and you’re assured beauty as well as years and years of longevity.
The Linspire Edmond Solid Wood Desk is a dream. Made from solid rubber wood and a midtone brown stain with copper handles and metal finishes on the feet, it oozes boss style. Talk about motivation to sit down and get your work done! And with an in-built cable management space, it’ll look as good in your home with your laptop on it as it does in the showroom, what with all the cables neatly tucked away.
If you WFH and you’re buying a new desk, chair, filing cabinet, shelves, and you name it for your home office, you may want to look into partially claiming costs come tax time … just a thought.
SHELVING
Bookshelves can be used in your office or your living area (or both). Want to be (quietly) in on one of our faves? Enter the BohoBoho Costa Solid Wood and Rattan Arched Shelving Unit. Ta Daa! You can’t miss those smooth, real-wood shelves in an arched shape that mixes up the geometries in your room, especially if you have nothing but right angles everywhere else. It has solid wood shelves above to showcase all your gorgeous showpieces, and a lovely woven rattan cabinet below for stashing away those less-than-pretty (but necessary) bits and bobs.
TV UNITS & COFFEE TABLES
The humble TV entertainment unit almost always has a coffee table buddy somewhere near, so we have categorised these together.
The Solidwood Hemura Tall Entertainment Unit with Sintered Stone Top is a classic goodie we just love. This beauty is made from solid oak, with lots of storage to put away your clutter. It has a sintered stone top, but the real showstopper is the oak woodgrain that you just want to brush your fingertips against. We think you’ll love it, too.
As for coffee tables? Choices upon great choices. But we have a soft spot for the gorgeous Solidwood Santa Rosa Coffee Table Pair. Again, made of solid oak. These aren’t just showcasing that famous oak grain, but each gives you a duo of surface areas so you can have more things within arm’s reach. Oh, and the smaller and taller one is on wheels, so you can easily move it around exactly where you need it.
Signs of quality: What is the best wood for long-lasting furniture?
There are plenty of beautiful woods from which to create long-lasting furniture. We’ll look more closely at some of these in the next section.
As you’ll see, a lot comes down to the colour and look you want in your solid wood furniture. It’s a bit like picking a partner; you want a long-lasting connection. Some of the signs of quality wood include a lovely, consistent grain. It should also have a weightiness to it. With solid timber, you want your furniture to feel substantial, unlike engineered wood, which is lighter in weight and less expensive but also more prone to damage.
And let's not forget about stability. A wobbly piece is a red flag because nothing ruins a cosy dinner like a table that wants to dance. Quality joinery is the icing on the cake. So, when you're hunting for furniture, look for those solid signs of quality, and you’ll be set for a beautiful, dependable relationship with your woodwork.
Types of Wood and Their Characteristics
Ash Wood: the strong, good-looking hardwood that looks like it just walked off a runway. Its tough exterior and those killer grain patterns are the perfect blend of brawn and beauty.
White Oak: The timber equivalent of that friend who flexes their muscles at the gym, not shy about showing off their impressive strength (and grain). It’s a great material for when you need something that can take a (slight) beating but still looks good.
Paulownia wood: Here, you have the lightweight champion of the lumber world, all pale grey-brownish and ready to strut its stuff. With a texture that could almost double as nature's version of striped pyjamas, it’s a fantastic material for plywood and, of course, plywood for furniture.
Rubber wood: It's like the laid-back cousin of the hardwood family. Straight-grained and light-coloured, this medium-density tropical superstar hails from the Pará rubber tree.
Solid Red Oak: With its durability and bold, open grain, it’s like the timber equivalent of a personality that doesn’t hold back. Talk about a show-off. Great if you appreciate “look at me” furniture.
Hard Maple: The wood that’s as smooth as your best pick-up line and as light as a bright, sunny day.
Black walnut: It’s the broody Idris Elba-esque movie star of the timber world. With its rich, dark tones, it’s like the sophisticated gent at the party that everyone wants to talk to. Valued for its looks and strength, black walnut is fantastic for elegant furniture.
Cherry: The wood that brings the heat. It's got those warm hues and a smooth grain that makes other woods envious. Who wouldn’t want to cosy up to something this good-looking?
Where Not to Put Your Solid Wood Furniture
Yes, wood is tough, but come on, even the toughest need a little TLC. When you're picking a spot for your solid wood furniture, steer clear of heat zones and direct sunlight, unless you want it to audition for a role in “The Warped and the Cracked.” But really, even your cat knows not to hang out by the open window during a rainstorm, so let’s not make your furniture suffer through that.
And for the love of furniture, don’t let anything that can spill or leak get too cosy on it. Think vases, plants, or that cup of coffee. Treat your wood right, and you’ll have long-lasting beauty. Choose the strong, solid stuff, and you’ll have a winner.
Tips for caring for solid wood furniture to maintain its lifespan
Give your wood furniture just a little bit of proper maintenance, and you’ll be rewarded with a long, long lifespan. First up: cleaning. Grab a soft cloth (microfibre is best) and give those wooden surfaces a gentle wipe. Steer clear of any harsh sprays and try to avoid water. If there are any spills, be quick to swoop in and wipe them dry.
Also, remember to shield your wood from direct sunlight, or it will fade just like those childhood photos of yours.
Where to buy long-lasting furniture in NZ
If you’re looking for a combo of style, quality real-wood options and affordable prices that won’t break the bank, Urban Sales has the trifecta. We bring you some of the best onlinesolid wood furniture options in NZ, whatever your style may be. In a hurry to get your hands on some pieces? Check out our topin-stock sellers today.
