No matter where you want to add a rustic country look, pine furniture is the answer.  It is as popular as it has ever been, and is less expensive than other wood furniture. Pine furniture is preferred by furniture makers because it is easier to work with and more pliant than most other woods.  Solid pine furniture is durable, beautiful and an excellent value.  It will easily add warm, casual and even elegant appeal wherever it is used.

Pine Wood
Solid woods are classified as either hardwoods or softwoods, but the description is based on the tree’s foliage rather than the strength of the wood. Solid pine furniture is durable and beautiful, and an excellent value. It is light in weight, has straight grains and offers resistance to swelling or shrinking. Pines have been used for centuries to build furniture for both indoor and outdoor use in the United States and England.  Solid wood furniture  made of pine and other woods can also be repaired if damaged because there is no veneer or artificial surface that can be scraped or rubbed through.

Finishing Pine
Pine furniture is among the most commonly finished or painted types of furniture, which means you’ll have many options to choose from.  Most manufacturers suggest that all pieces of both indoor and outdoor pine furniture be finished once it is received. Paint (either latex or oil based) is a standard choice of many regardless of the furniture’s final use. However, it is strongly recommended that furniture that is to be used outdoors be finished with a penetrating, oil-based water repellent that has UV protection and mildicides.  This finish is important to protect the furniture from the elements and should be repeated periodically to maintain the natural qualities and beauty of the wood.  

Pine’s Value
Pine grows quickly and is an inexpensive wood in the production of indoor or outdoor furniture. Thus, pine furniture can offer excellent value for your money.  You can buy unfinished pine furniture for your child’s room for instance, and it will allow great flexibility because you can personalize it by painting it, and you can repaint it and refinish it whenever you want.  Hand waxed and lacquer finishes are great for traditional rooms while color-washing and painted pine furniture blends in well with modern interiors.  Finishes may vary somewhat as wood characteristics may vary considerably.  Choosing between a wide variety of finishing: lacquer, oil, paste, stain or color can emphasize very different shades of wood texture and thereby shape very different aura in your home.

The quality of pine furniture can vary widely. Although pine is more pliable than most woods, pieces can last for decades if it is constructed well. Knots should be expected and can be attractive in a piece of furniture, but watch out for knots that create a hole in the furniture. Too many knots can weaken the piece. Although pine is a sturdy wood, it can easily be dented and scratched (like cedar and other softwoods). And like all woods, untreated pine will warp when exposed to constant humidity or moisture. Thus painting or staining your pine furniture to match your décor is a must.