Misunderstanding 1: Only Solid Wood is Good
Many customers walk into a furniture store and their first question is often whether a piece is made entirely of solid wood. If the answer is no, they often walk away immediately. This is largely due to a misunderstanding about modern panel furniture.
Modern panel furniture, which contrasts with traditional solid wood furniture, primarily uses artificial panels. The most common type, Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF), is made from wood fibers or other plant fibers combined with resins, then pressed under high temperatures and pressures. In terms of material, MDF is dense, thick, and has a high strength-to-weight ratio, with low moisture content, making it resistant to deformation. It’s considered one of the most versatile and high-quality furniture materials globally. The veneer applied on top is not only aesthetically pleasing but also provides a protective layer, enhancing the durability of the furniture. High-end European furniture often uses solid wood only for edges and small decorative elements, while the core structure is typically MDF. Moreover, whether it's traditional or modern furniture, the value of the wood depends heavily on its grade, texture, and availability. Lower-grade solid wood might not be as valuable as higher-grade veneers, and some mid to low-grade solid woods can warp or crack after furniture production. Additionally, premium solid wood furniture tends to be quite expensive.
To summarize, the greatest advantage of panel furniture lies in its superior mechanical properties compared to solid wood. Customers’ preference for solid wood isn’t entirely misplaced, though. It's true that "there’s no formaldehyde in real wood."
Objectively speaking, from an "environmental protection" standpoint, the volatile organic compound (VOC) content in solid wood is significantly lower than that of panel furniture. From a broader "global environmental protection" perspective, the use of panels helps conserve resources and contributes to sustainable development.
There are also many modern pieces that blend solid wood and veneer. Some common examples found in the Guangdong market include:
1. Black Walnut, the finest quality of walnut wood, predominantly sourced from North America and Europe. Domestic walnuts are lighter in color, whereas black walnut has a dark brown hue with purplish tones, and the tangential cut reveals a striking large parabolic pattern (resembling large mountains). Black walnut is extremely costly, so furniture is usually veneered rather than made of solid wood.
2. Cherry, with imported cherry wood mainly coming from Europe and North America. The wood is light yellow-brown, with an elegant texture and a medium parabolic pattern on the tangential cut, featuring small circular patterns. Cherry wood is considered high-grade, and furniture often uses veneers rather than solid wood.
3. Beech, referring to European beech here, distinct from the "Nanbeibei" beech used in traditional Chinese furniture. European beech is bright yellow with dense "needles" (wood rays) forming a mountain-like pattern. Imported European beech is far superior to domestic varieties and considered mid to high-grade in China. It is commonly used as veneer, and solid wood is also used for dining chairs and small square bars.
4. Maple, with a light yellow color and a hilly pattern, its standout feature being the "shadows" (areas of pronounced luster). Maple is a mid-range wood, and both veneer and solid wood are common.
5. Birch, with a light yellow color and easily identifiable "waterlines" (dark streaks). Birch is also mid-range, and both solid wood and veneer are used.
6. Rubberwood, with a primary color of light yellow-brown, featuring scattered small rays, the material being lightweight and soft, making it a low-grade solid wood. Merchants sometimes misleadingly call it "oak," which is deceptive since real oak is much more expensive. European white oak has an elegant texture, while North American red oak features large mountain-like patterns. Both are hard and heavy, differing greatly in appearance, structure, and material from rubberwood.
Other woods like pine, fir, and eucalyptus are relatively low-grade furniture materials.
Misunderstanding 2: Confusion Between Solid Wood, Veneer, and Laminates
Since the rise of modern wooden furniture, the market has grown with diverse styles, extensive varieties, and varying grades. While this diversity offers consumers plenty of options, it also leads to confusion and challenges in distinguishing quality. As a customer, it’s crucial to be vigilant when shopping.
Solid wood is typically used for smaller parts and items where material is limited, with precious woods rarely used in solid form. For instance, solid wood dining chairs are common, but they’re generally made from mid to high-grade imported beech, mid-grade maple or birch, domestic eucalyptus, or low-grade rubberwood. If someone claims to sell an "imported black walnut solid wood dining chair" for just five or six hundred yuan, it’s likely a scam. Many chairs are actually painted with birch and finished with black walnut stain, a common practice in both domestic and international furniture industries. However, the intention was initially cost-saving, yet it was marketed as premium overseas.
There are numerous modern panel furniture facings, with veneer and laminate being particularly common but of vastly different quality. Veneer furniture is rich in natural texture, attractive, and durable but comes at a higher price, whereas laminate furniture is prone to wear, water damage, and durability issues but remains affordable and popular. Some furniture items that don't require frequent use or exposure to water sources are often laminate-based, such as shoe cabinets and bookcases.
When visiting a furniture store, customers often see labels like "walnut wardrobe," "cherry coffee table," or "wood dining chair" on price tags. It’s essential to determine whether these refer to solid wood, veneer, or laminate. Both solid wood and veneer furniture can be labeled as "cherry wood furniture," but laminate furniture cannot, as it would be misleading.
Solid Wood — The wood grain and wood rays (commonly referred to as "needles") are clearly visible, and there should be some natural imperfections like knots, plaques, or black lines. On the same piece of solid wood, whether it's vertical or horizontal, the grain should naturally connect across the sections.
Veneer — The wood grain and rays are clear, and there should also be natural imperfections. Since veneer has a certain thickness (around 0.5mm), when making furniture, the two adjacent surfaces don’t usually meet seamlessly but are instead joined together. Thus, the wood grain on the two interfaces shouldn’t align.
Laminate — The wood grain and rays are clearly visible, and even high-grade imported paper can mimic wood grain, but it differs from natural veneer. Laminate furniture tends to show flaws at the edges. Additionally, because the grain paper is very thin (0.08mm), it wraps around the joint of two planes, causing the grain on the two interfaces to appear connected (usually on the vertical section).
4. Soft Furniture Primarily Refers to Sofas and Bed Furniture.
Sofa
(1) American Sofa, the hallmark of American sofas is their extreme softness and comfort, creating an embracing sensation. Many sofas today are made with frames of varying hardness sponges. Many American sofas also incorporate springs and sponges, making them highly durable. Before purchasing, it's important to measure the living room space. Typically, only living rooms larger than 20 square meters can accommodate such sofas.
(2) Japanese-Style Sofas, the defining feature of Japanese-style sofas is their small, fence-like armrests and compact design. These sofas suit those who prefer a natural and minimalist home aesthetic. The sleek Japanese-style sofa reflects a disciplined approach to life. Consequently, they're often used in office spaces and are also suitable for the elderly. For some seniors who struggle with walking and sitting, the firmness of Japanese sofas provides greater comfort and ease of use.
(3) Chinese-Style Sofa, the Chinese-style sofa is characterized by its fully exposed solid wood frame. The upper sponge cushions can be replaced as needed, offering flexibility that appeals to many. They are cool in winter and comfortable in summer, making them practical and versatile.
(4) Modern and Avant-Garde European-Style Sofas, European-style sofas with modern designs are typically elegant in color and simple in form, suitable for general household use. This style of sofa is versatile and works well in various living room settings. Recently, light-colored sofas like white rice and beige have become popular. Sofas are categorized by material into fabric, leather, and microfiber sofas.
Soft beds paired with bedsets and mattresses are common in the market. In reality, the bed hinges on the mattress. Mattresses are increasingly focusing on comfort and practicality, with main components including springs, foam, and outer fabric. Mattress prices vary widely, from a few hundred yuan to tens of thousands. For example, Lizian's Australian-imported mattresses, known as Denglupu, are priced above ten thousand yuan. Nowadays, furniture is placing more emphasis on aesthetics, and beds are no exception. From the bed's backdrop to the bedding decor, everything appears luxurious, fueling desires to purchase. It’s not just about having a good mattress anymore; the overall look matters too. The Sweet Dream Octagon store is a good example.
5. Rattan Furniture is often refined into three series: bedroom, living room, and garden furniture. Both European and American models emphasize a rough yet luxurious style, while Southeast Asian styles are exquisite and delicate, and there’s also a simple elegance reflecting Chinese traditional culture. Beyond functionality, designers stress artistry, making rattan furniture a fashionable choice. Across major furniture markets, current rattan furniture can be broadly categorized into the following types: outdoor furniture like garden sets, small round tables on porches, armchairs, recliners, and swinging sofa armrests filled with casual charm.
Living room furniture is the most diverse and stylish in rattan furniture. A set of living room furniture made from red rattan cores is delicate and smooth, with simple and elegant shapes and colors, showcasing excellent craftsmanship. Dining room furniture is particularly well-structured and colorful, combining elegance with artistic features. The five-piece and seven-piece rough rattan chairs and tables are innovative and contemporary. Additionally, small rattan ornaments come in various forms. Rattan table lamps have a chic design, soft lighting, and a warm elegance. Rattan chandeliers are simple and harmonious with the modern trend of pursuing nature. Occasionally incorporating a few pieces of rattan furniture into a modern home adds beauty and tradition, subtly reflecting the owner’s style and taste.
In terms of color, modern rattan furniture colors are poetic, silver, tranquil, bronzed, reddish-brown, dark green, mysterious, crystal-clear, smooth, and rounded. Lacquer finishes are often transparent, preserving the unique character of rattan itself. Its natural simplicity soothes the soul of those weary of urban hustle and bustle. Currently, the most renowned rattan brand in China is Yitengju, Ming Tengxuan, and Jade Teng.
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