Wood

Wood in furniture: typologies and uses

The term wood refers to a wide variety of materials derived from hardwood or softwood trees, used alone or combined with other components. A main distinction is made between solid wood, used for its structural qualities and solid appearance, and reconstituted wood (veneer, plywood, MDF, etc.), used for its dimensional stability or more controlled cost. Wooden furniture can be based on different species - oak, ash, teak, mango, walnut - whose density, grain and color influence the final use: a hard wood for a tray, a softer wood for a furniture front, for example.

Visual effects and perception of wood finishes

Wood, whether left untreated or treated, acts as a visible material and visual support. The natural grain, more or less marked depending on the species, contributes to the balance of the composition. A light wood opens up perspectives, while a dark wood visually anchors a piece of furniture in space. Oiled, varnished, brushed or patinated finishes accentuate certain contrasts or soften reflections. When it comes to furnishings, exposed wood is favored for structuring a room, guiding the eye, or responding to fixed elements (floor, door frames, beams).

Practical choices and combining with other materials

Wooden furniture adapts to a wide variety of uses. Load-bearing structures generally use solid sections or invisible mortise-and-tenon joints, which guarantee strength without visual overload. Tops can be finished with surface treatments suited to intensive use. Wood combines easily with neutral or contrasting materials: metal, glass, leather, fabrics. It creates a balanced relationship between rigor and material, without excess effect or decorative overload.

Wood furniture is integrated into a design project through its legibility: each piece reveals its function through the nature of the wood used, its implementation and its place in the space.