Why Amish Furniture? Your Grandkids Will Thank You!
There’s more to furniture than just utility – storing your stuff or serving as something to sit or sleep on. Furniture can be a legacy passed down through generations. Every scratch tells a story, every cushion holds a memory. Furniture becomes part of our lives — a gift from the past, a comfort in the present, and a promise for future memories. But only furniture designed and built the right way, such as Amish solid wood furniture, is likely to become a family heirloom. Why Amish Furniture? Your Grandkids Will Thank You! presents some of the strongest reasons for choosing Amish solid wood furniture: Amish furniture is built to last, has styles that endure, is relatively easy to maintain, represents a solid investment, and is available online.
Is Amish solid wood furniture built to last?
Absolutely. Amish solid wood furniture is handcrafted to last for generations. It frequently becomes a family heirloom. This is because Amish artisans use hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry. Also, Amish cabinetmakers utilize tried-and-proven practices and techniques that are handed down from their ancestors. These techniques include dovetail and mortise and tenon joints. Moreover, high-quality finishes not only enhance the natural beauty of the wood but also protect surfaces from everyday wear and tear. No wonder Amish furniture lasts for generations!
Is furniture made from manufactured wood heirloom quality?
For several reasons, manufactured woods, such as particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF), are not used in building heirloom-quality furniture. Manufactured wood is made from materials like sawdust, wood chips, plastics, and lubricants. As a result, manufactured wood is prone to chipping and is susceptible to dents and scratches. Blemishes like scratches are difficult or impossible to repair on fake wood pieces because the composite material below the smooth surface is rough and resists sanding. Also, in the furniture-building process, pieces of manufactured wood are typically joined together with inferior joints, such as butt joints secured with flimsy metal fasteners. Bottom line: Manufactured wood furniture typically does not stand the test of time.
Can you get Amish furniture in several styles?
Absolutely. Amish furniture is available in several styles, including Traditional, Mission, Shaker, Rustic, and Modern styles, plus several subcategories within each style. The Traditional look draws its inspiration from 18th and 19th-century European styles and is characterized by elegance, ornate details, and a focus on timeless designs. A subset of this style is the ornate Queen Anne style, which features graceful curves, cabriole (animal-like foot) legs, and a more restrained use of ornamentation.
Mission style furniture is easily recognized by its clean lines, right angles, unadorned edges, and bold stance. In contrast, the Shaker style features simple elegance, with its minimalist design, lack of ornamentation, graceful curves, splayed legs, and wooden knob hardware. Emphasizing the beauty of natural wood, Rustic furniture features elements like knots, cracks, bark, saw marks, ‘live edges’, and natural woodgrain.
Coming into prominence after World War II, the Modern furniture style features bold geometric shapes (such as rectangles), strong straight lines, and sweeping curves. The style also incorporates materials like leather, vinyl, plastic, and chrome-plated steel into Modern furniture pieces.
Do Amish furniture designs go out of style?
Most Amish furniture designs will never go out of style because they are simple, traditional designs or traditional designs with a touch of added design elements. Most Amish furniture features popular styles like Mission, Shaker, Rustic, Modern, and Contemporary. So, Amish furniture typically enhances the ambience of a home, irrespective of current fashion trends.
Is Amish solid wood furniture difficult to maintain?
Amish solid wood furniture is relatively easy to maintain, thereby ensuring your furniture keeps its beautiful appearance. Hardwood furniture should be kept away from water, direct sunlight, heating/cooling vents, radiators, and wood stoves. Also, maintain a 35 – 45 percent humidity level to prevent cracks, warping, and/or splitting. Keep the room temperature in the 65 to 75 degree range. Wipe up spills immediately to prevent staining. Dust often along the grain, with a soft, damp cloth or a polish that has no silicone. You may polish your furniture occasionally, using a quality, silicone-free wood polish specifically formulated for solid wood furniture.
Does home insurance cover Amish furniture?
Yes. In general, standard homeowners insurance policies cover your furniture, including Amish-built furniture. Typically, your furniture is covered under the personal property umbrella, which includes damage or loss due to causes like fire, storms, vandalism, or theft. You may wish to keep an inventory of your personal belongings, including high-value items like your Amish furniture. In addition to having a written inventory, it’s a good idea to document your valuable possessions with photos and/or videos. That said, your insurance policy may not cover items like expensive jewelry, art, or some collectibles. These items may require an insurance rider or separate policy to ensure full coverage. Also, losses that are caused by reasons that fall outside of the ‘covered’ perils, such as misplaced items, are typically not covered.
Is Amish solid wood furniture an investment?
Buying a solid hardwood furniture item – such as a bed, dresser, chest, table, or cabinet – is more than just purchasing an item to sleep on or store your precious belongings. It also represents an investment in your future — and potentially that of your children and grandchildren. This is because Amish solid wood furniture is designed and painstakingly handcrafted to last for generations to come. Why Amish Furniture? Your Grandkids Will Thank You!
Can you find heirloom-quality Amish furniture online?
Yes. Go online and ask for ‘Amish heirloom-quality furniture’ or similar words. You’ll see a list of Amish furniture retailers on your screen. Among them is e-Amish Furniture. They offer finished heirloom-quality Amish furniture right off the warehouse floor. Or, you can order pieces with limited customization and receive them fast through their Quick Ship program. Also, visit How to Buy Amish Furniture Online for more information.