How Wood Gives People a Sense of Solidity, Craftsmanship & History

1)????Timeless – Wood is one of the oldest and most plentiful products in nature that people have used throughout history to build houses, furniture, and decorative accessories. It has been one of the most common materials used to create household items until composite materials like medium-density fibreboard (MDF) came along. MDF is basically leftover softwood or hardwood that is broken down into fibers and then bonded together using resin and wax. It's a strong and affordable building material used increasingly for kitchen cabinet doors to furniture, except MDF furniture don’t retain their value like ones made from solid wood. American or Danish wood furniture from the 1950s to the 1960s, for example, are among the most desirable pieces for collectors of Mid-Century modern design. They have such a timeless appeal that they’ve become more desirable than much, much older furniture, especially now that people no longer any household servants to clean their homes for them. Simple and pared-down is the current aesthetic, which is why it makes more sense these days to buy original Vitra or Herman Miller pieces like this iconic Eames leather lounge chair and ottoman made of 7-ply molded walnut or rosewood.

2)????Durable - If not exposed to the elements, wood furniture can last for several hundred years, such as a bed made in 16th century England that was handed down through 15 generations within the same family. That’s why wooden furniture, if kept long enough, tends to become more valuable over time. Wood can sag, bend or get worn by repeated usage, but you can stop it from completely disintegrating especially by treated it with oil or some protective finish to make it last for centuries, as long as it’s not exposed to too much sunlight or water. Wood needs a protective outer coating to withstand the elements, which is why houses made out of wood need to be repainted every 10 to 20 years, depending on how cold or wet it is where you live. And natural wood (which doesn’t have any lacquer or varnish) needs to be dusted off and treated with wax to preserve its finish. Keep in mind that even though wood is a strong material it’s not scratch-proof. The good thing is that you can re-sand wooden furniture (or flooring), apply special wood filler or use a combination of oil and vinegar in case you need to repair any deep scratches on your wooden floors.

3)????Natural – ?People like to incorporate organic materials like wood into their ceilings, floors, walls and furniture because it’s a very familiar material that reminds people of their connection to the natural world. City apartments in particular that are far away from nature are best furnished with materials and furniture made of wood for a more natural look and feel. Combined with ?man-made materials like concrete, glass, terrazzo, and quartz for floors and/or countertops you have an interesting and balanced dynamic between organic and inorganic materials. Figuring out how to thrive in a society where most of the things we feel and touch - like our smartphones and laptops which are made out of synthetic materials - is a daily challenge for human beings, while continuing to preserve the living and breathing things that we find in nature that give us joy and contribute to our health and well-being. It's a big reason people like to introduce live plants or even just dried stems to their homes. Not only are these items all unique, they have totally random shapes that add softness and texture to a room that typically consists of vertical and horizontal hard shapes. Plants are living and breathing things that help to make a space feel more alive and they also nicely complement whatever wooden elements that are found in the room.

4)???Flexible – Depending on how thin/thick the wood that you’re using, this is a way more pliable material than metal. Wooden office chairs that could swivel and tilt were once fairly common in offices of the early 20th century. You could sit on these all day although they’re not as comfortable as today’s padded fabric/leather office chairs. However, try sitting on an aluminum or steel chair for a few hours and see how that feels. You’re liable to develop issues with your back and/or rear end by sitting on too hard of a surface. Even dining table chairs these days are still made of wood or plastic, both of which have a degree of flex and are still reasonably comfortable. That same degree of softness and flex is also a reason that wood tends to scratch more easily than metal, which is why you have to be careful with using sharp objects around this material, like stiletto heels. A good practice to preserve expensive hardwood floors that you’ve just installed is to have your guests remove their shoes whenever they enter your home. Otherwise, you’re going to have scuffed floors pretty soon and that’s not a very pretty sight.

5)???Warm & welcoming feel – People who like to make their home feel inviting tend to use wooden floors and even some natural (or stained) wood panel walls or cabinets in their kitchens and living rooms. Be mindful though that wood does require some care and maintenance. And if you’re the kind of person that’s too busy (or not very motivated) to clean your house on a regular basis, you may want to go with something more low maintenance like ‘luxury’ vinyl. A lot of the newer ones mimic the look of wood and almost achieve the same effect. They don’t scratch as easily as wood, which means that people can keep their shoes on when they come in and out of your house. Take note that the cheaper vinyl floors do still have that shiny, plastic look about them. But if your budget allows for it and you had a choice, go for real wood as people in general still prefer the look and feel of real hardwood floors. If you’re considering using vinyl floors, use them in the basement (especially if it’s a rental, which makes it ideal for tenants who don’t care as much about your home as you do), kitchen or bathroom where water (or food) spillage is a constant challenge.

6) Casual/relaxed aesthetic – Another good thing with wood is that it’s not considered a very formal or dressy type of material. If you like to create a cozy and relaxed environment where you and your family can simply kick back and relax and not have to worry about being too careful around the house, consider incorporating Farmhouse or Shabby Chic as your go-to aesthetic. This is a look that has been around for almost 2 decades and was popularized in particular by Chip and Joanna Gaines’ TV show ‘Fixer Upper’. It's the prevailing aesthetic of stores like Pottery Barn, for example. It’s a look that is both timeless and broadly appealing as it uses familiar forms (‘Granny Chic’) but in a more simple and casual way. In other words, you won’t find any busy prints or textures or ornately carved surfaces that need constant care. And the more battered and beat-up the furniture and materials the better, all for the sake of achieving that well-patinated look of age. Distressed wooden floors is also the appropriate style to look for if you happen to rent or own a 100-year old Craftsman-style house that can be found in Vancouver or downtown San Francisco, for example, or if you happen to have an old barn that got converted into a home outside the city.