When it comes to buying new furniture, it seems like there are an endless number of options. But have you ever considered investing in real wood furniture made in the USA? Not only does American-made furniture support local businesses and craftspeople, but the quality and longevity of the pieces are second to none. From superior quality wood choices to time-tested construction techniques, American-made furniture offers a range of benefits that you won’t find with other options. In this article, we’ll explore why investing in American-made furniture is a smart choice and how to find the perfect piece! Whether you’re in the market for a sleek platform bed or super-organized dresser, read on to discover why American-made furniture is the way to go.
Real wood, made in the USA furniture is made from American grown hardwood and is designed and built in the United States. The best American-made furniture is created by dedicated craftspeople and artisans who take pride in their work and use domestically produced materials to create unique, durable and long-lasting pieces. When you buy American-made furniture, you can feel confident that you are getting a quality product that you most definitely wont find at online furniture retailer or at Costco!
Why buy made in the USA? Buying American made furniture supports small family businesses and workers, which in turn support our economy and people who care deeply about producing a quality product for their customers. Buying American-made furniture also often means that you are getting a made-for-you product constructed with superior materials and quality craftsmanship. Additionally, American-made furniture typically comes with a warranty or guarantee, which gives you peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected.
One of the most significant benefits of buying American-made furniture is the positive impact it has on United States economy. When you buy American-made furniture, you are supporting local businesses and workers, many of which live in parts of the country that have limited economic opportunities but access to very high quality natural materials.
According to a study by the Economic Policy Institute, every $1 billion in imports that is replaced by domestic production creates 7,500 jobs in the United States. By choosing American-made furniture, you are investing in the future of your community and the country as a whole.
Furniture made in the USA is well known for its superior, high quality materials and craftsmanship. American hardwood furniture is stronger and more durable than the particle board used in low cost imported furniture. American hardwood is 100% natural and does not contain the Formaldehydes and other toxic chemicals found in mass-produced furniture. In fact, American hardwood is prized throughout the world for its strength, durability and natural beauty.
Here in Appalachia where much of the world’s highest quality Cherry, Maple and Oak wood grows, we see that much of the very best hardwood produced here is shipped to Asia and Europe. Do you want to help keep American lumber in the USA? Consider buying real wood furniture made in the USA.
You can tell if furniture is high quality by inspecting carefully to make sure it is made from real American hardwood. Real wood will show matching wood grain on all 4 sides of the material and have no seams or lines at the corners. Veneered particle board or plywood furniture manufacturing aka “fake wood,” will show telltale seams at the edges as well a repeated grain pattern throughout the piece.
Big-box store furniture made from particle board and veneers is full of chemicals that can emit smelly, headache-causing fumes for months if not years. This process, called offgassing, is when materials such the binders and preservatives in particle board, paint, glue, finish and fibers release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Many people tell us that they avoid buying new future just so that they are not exposed to these hazardous VOCs.
The best quality furniture brands avoid materials that emit VOCs. The best way to do this? Use solid hardwood! Solid wood does not emit VOCs and has almost no smell at all after its final surface sanding.
It is also important to pay attention to the finish that used on the wood. There are a variety of products in the marketplace from paint, to polyurethane to natural oil based finishes that emit different levels of VOCs over time. At Solid Custom Heirlooms we use natural Tung Oil which creates and beautiful matte finish, is easily repaired over time and emits a very low level of VOCs.
If you are very sensitive to VOCs, we suggest solid hardwood furniture either finished with our low VOC Tung Oil or simply unfinished.
Ever worry that you might end up with the same dining room furniture as your neighbor? When everyone is buying the same furniture from the same large conglomerated companies, there is a good chance you might end up the same bedroom set as someone you know!
Custom furniture might be the answer to creating a one of a kind bedroom set, dining furniture, accent chairs or even outdoor furniture. Many American furniture makers offer customization options that would simply not be available in a mass produced product shipped from overseas.
One of the biggest concerns people have when considering American-made furniture is the cost. While handcrafted furniture has a higher initial cost compared to imported furniture found in big box stores, it is important to consider the long-term value. Because most furniture is used on a daily basis by multiple people, low quality materials and craftsmanship become quickly apparent. A bed frame or dresser purchased from Ikea or Amazon may look good for the first few weeks, but low quality particle board chips and warps easily, making that “low cost” purchase feel like a bad idea in the long term.
While higher in initial cost, American hardwood furniture is built to last, and because the wood is solid, can be repaired if an accident happens. As a comparison, particle board furniture is very difficult if not impossible to repair. And don’t even think of trying to sand “fake wood.”
Is there is significant difference between real solid hardwood and the “fake wood” that is found in cheap, low cost furniture?
Real wood furniture is just what is sounds like – hardwood lumber grown, harvested and milled here in the United States. The most popular American-grown wood choices are Ash, Cherry, Maple, Red Oak, White Oak and Walnut.
“Fake wood” is typically made from particle board or plywood covered in a thin vinyl or wood veneer. Here are the primary differences between real wood and fake wood:
Real wood furniture
Fake wood furniture
Don’t just take our word for it – customer reviews and testimonials can be a great way to learn about the quality and value of American-made furniture. Solid Custom Heirlooms reviews can be found here on our Reviews Page as well as on our sister Etsy site, Solid Cherry Heirlooms. We encourage you to find out what customers have to say and are always happy to answer any questions.
Here are some photos of our solid wood beds sent to us by our wonderful customers!
