Texture of Wood Impact the Aesthetics of Furniture

Wood has long been a key material in furniture. It offers a unique beauty and aesthetic that is difficult to replicate with other materials, both in its color and texture. Its subtle versatility allows it to fit into rustic designs just as easily as it fits into modern, contemporary styles. Wood is a natural product with inherent variations in color, patterns, and density. It also features characteristic grain structures such as straight, knotty, or interlocking. As a result, no two pieces of wooden furniture are alike, making them a beautiful and inviting addition to any home.

To achieve the desired look of a piece of wooden furniture, many steps must be taken. First, the wood is harvested from a forest or tree. Then, it is kiln-dried, which increases its strength and durability. This process takes approximately three to four weeks, during which time the wood is subjected to a high temperature and a low humidity environment.

Once the wood is kiln-dried, it is ready for further processing. It is then cut into the pieces required for the furniture. The edges of the pieces are rounded and smoothed using hand-held or machine tools. A number of finishes may then be applied, such as wax, shellac, drying oil, lacquer, or varnish, which protect the wood and enhance its aesthetic qualities.

How Does the Texture of Wood Impact the Aesthetics of Furniture?

Furniture makers often source their wood locally, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This helps reduce their carbon footprint by lowering transportation costs and supporting the local economy. They also ensure the wood is coming from sustainably managed forests. These steps are essential to the sustainability of the industry and ensuring a safe environment for consumers to enjoy their home furnishings.

Wood is one of the most important building materials for furniture, accounting for around 13% of global wood consumption. Therefore, understanding consumer preferences for wooden furniture is critical for the industry. A recent study investigated the impact of texture on consumer preference for wood furniture. The experiment involved measuring the colour in the CIEL*a*b* colour space and the texture through greyscale image processing of 12 different wood species. The wood specimens were then subjected to sensory analysis by 100 consumers in Antananarivo.

The results of the study indicated that texture is a significant factor in determining consumer preferences for wood furniture. Specifically, consumers prefer wood with a visible oriented texture. They also preferred the more uniform, lighter colours of earlywood/latewood and sapwood/heartwood.

While it is easy to understand the influence of colour and texture, a less obvious aspect of the effect of texture on furniture design is the perception of the volume of the wood. This can be perceived by looking at the edge of a wood piece and seeing whether or not the growth rings match up with the grain pattern. It is a feature that is often overlooked by designers, yet it can dramatically alter the way furniture looks and feels. It can transform a bland, dull room into an elegant space where you can sit back and relax.