A New Life for Old Wood - Reclaimed Wooden Furniture

Reclaimed furniture is made from wood obtained from torn down structures. Wood was once among the most widely used construction material in America. Thanks to its cheapness and abundance, wooden buildings were everywhere- from vacation homes, barns and farmhouses to warehouses, piers and factories. When these buildings were torn down from falling into disuse or because of safety regulations, the timber used in the construction found its way to the furniture market. Reclaimed wood has an aged appearance, thanks to the many years of use and exposure to weather conditions. Aged wood, especially tropical hardwood is also quite good to use as it loses its moisture over the years. Reclaimed wood furniture is a perfect example of new- age artisans making old wood last for years.

Why does Reclaimed Wooden Furniture Appeal to Buyers?

It may seem like a paradox that a lot of upscale buyers prefer reclaimed wood furniture to shiny new pieces made of plastic and steel for their homes. A small straw poll reveals the reasons behind this choice. A large part is emotional- reclaimed wood tells many stories, of the place where it was first used and the kind of events that it was associated with. A table made from the wooden beams of a steamship or a cabinet made of wood taken from an old theatre would offer great stories to tell the guests. Rarity is also a factor, since smaller quantities of reclaimed wood are reaching buyers thanks to a fall in the amount of wood being used in construction in recent decades. The aged appearance of reclaimed wood gives furniture pieces a striking appearance which artisans enhance with the right varnish and seasoning- similar to the patina that buyers look for in aged metal products. Reclaimed wood furniture also lasts very long in its new avatar- because the dried out aged wood is stronger and more resistant to warping than new wood from timber farms. With artisans making furniture to order, custom made furniture pieces are also built to a better standard than mass produced furniture pieces. The handcrafted look of reclaimed furniture gives it some uniqueness compared to mass-produced pieces.

Help Protect the Environment

Reclaimed wood furniture gives new life to discarded products that would otherwise have been burned or pulped. Both these processes contribute to pollution, increasing carbon emissions and environmental damage. Reclaiming old wood also reduces the demand for more and more timber from forests and farms. The transport infrastructure needed to move new timber from farm to factory and to the customer is very energy intensive. Using reclaimed wood lets customers sidestep the high amount of energy usage involved in the manufacture of new wood furniture.

Support Local Sourcing

Reclaimed wood is often sold in the same areas where it is taken from to reduce transport costs. Buyers can consider supporting local artisans by buying their reclaimed wooden furniture on order, as compared to factory-made furniture that’s shipped halfway across the world. The benefit is that your furniture can be made keeping your space requirements in mind and the final result can look a lot more enchanting.

FoxdenDecor is an eCommerce store offering a unique selection of rustic and reclaimed wood furniture, including custom bathroom vanities, beds, cabinets, nightstands, chairs, and desks handcrafted by skilled artisans.

I'm a freelance copywriter and I write on a variety of topics.