When purchasing furniture, one of the key factors that people look for is whether the piece is made from real wood. Real wood furniture is often considered a sign of quality, durability, and long-lasting beauty. However, with the rise of engineered wood products, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish real wood from look-alikes like veneer or particleboard. This guide will walk you through several methods to determine whether your furniture is made of authentic wood.
1. Examine the Grain Pattern
Real wood furniture has natural and unique grain patterns. The grain should vary in its flow, appearing inconsistent and organic across the furniture surface. Each section of real wood will have a different pattern, as no two pieces of wood are the same.
What to Look For:
- Irregularities: Real wood has natural variations and imperfections.
- Continuity: Follow the grain around edges and corners. In real wood, the grain pattern continues naturally from surface to surface.
Red Flag: If the grain appears too uniform or has a repeating pattern, it may be a printed or veneered surface, not solid wood.
2. Check the Weight
Real wood furniture is generally heavier than its counterparts made from particleboard or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Solid wood pieces have density and weight, providing durability and strength.
What to Look For:
- Heaviness: Lift the furniture to feel the weight. Real wood tends to be substantially heavier compared to engineered wood.
- Sturdiness: Real wood feels sturdy and solid when handled.
Red Flag: If the furniture is surprisingly lightweight for its size, it could be made of particleboard, MDF, or hollow-core materials.
3. Inspect the Joints
The way the furniture is joined together can be a major indicator of whether it is made from real wood. High-quality wood furniture typically uses strong construction methods like dovetail joints or mortise and tenon.
What to Look For:
- Dovetail Joints: These are typically found in drawers and indicate craftsmanship. The pieces of wood interlock like puzzle pieces without visible nails or screws.
- Mortise and Tenon: This technique involves one piece of wood fitting snugly into another, also without visible screws or fasteners.
Red Flag: If the furniture uses staples, nails, or other basic joinery methods, it could indicate lower-quality engineered wood or veneer.
4. Look at the Ends and Edges
Real wood furniture has solid, continuous edges. When you look at the end of a piece of wood, such as the side of a table or the edge of a drawer, you should be able to see the grain continuing naturally.
What to Look For:
- Solid Ends: The grain on the end of the wood should look natural and continuous with the surface.
- Consistency: The texture and color should match across all visible parts of the wood.
Red Flag: If the edges or ends have a different material or look “capped,” you might be dealing with veneered furniture.
5. Tap the Surface
This may sound simple, but sometimes just tapping on the surface of the furniture can reveal whether it is real wood. Real wood has a solid sound and feel, while particleboard or MDF often feels hollow or less dense.
What to Listen For:
- Solid Sound: Real wood sounds sturdy and solid when tapped.
- Hollow Sound: Engineered wood or veneer often produces a more hollow, lighter sound.
Red Flag: If tapping the furniture produces a light, almost plastic-like sound, it’s likely not real wood.
6. Look at the Finish
Real wood can be stained or painted, but the finish will look different depending on whether the piece is solid wood or a veneer. Solid wood absorbs stain more deeply, giving it a rich and natural appearance, whereas veneers may have a thin, uniform look.
What to Look For:
- Depth of Finish: Real wood has depth to its finish, and you can often see the texture of the wood beneath the stain or varnish.
- Stain Absorption: Stains on real wood can highlight the grain pattern and texture, while veneered furniture may have a more uniform or artificial look.
Red Flag: If the finish looks too perfect or uniform, especially across the grain, it might be veneered.
7. Check for Screws and Hardware
The hardware used in real wood furniture is often another giveaway. High-quality pieces use well-constructed and concealed hardware, while cheaper particleboard or MDF furniture may rely on visible screws and fasteners.
What to Look For:
- Concealed Hardware: Well-built, solid wood furniture often hides screws and fasteners.
- High-Quality Materials: Look for brass or steel hardware that indicates the piece is built to last.
Red Flag: Visible screws or metal brackets, especially if they look mass-produced, suggest lower-quality materials like particleboard.
8. Smell the Wood
Real wood often has a distinct, natural smell, especially if it is unfinished or recently stained. The smell of wood is often noticeable in older or antique furniture pieces as well.
What to Look (or Smell) For:
- Earthy, Woody Scent: Real wood often retains a natural smell, especially if freshly cut or finished.
- No Chemical Smell: Real wood does not have a strong, chemical scent. If there is a noticeable chemical smell, it could be MDF or particleboard.
Conclusion
Determining whether furniture is real wood involves a combination of careful inspection and a bit of intuition. By examining the grain, weight, joints, edges, and even the smell, you can gain confidence in assessing the authenticity of a wood piece. While real wood furniture may come at a higher cost, it offers the benefits of durability, uniqueness, and longevity—qualities that are worth the investment for many homeowners.
