How to Buy Elegant Amish Bedroom Furniture

As a place of rest and refuge, your bedroom needs furniture that reflects peace and security. Amish furniture that is solidly constructed can provide just that. Amish craftsman make their furniture by hand and employ the best traditional furniture-making techniques known in our day. Furniture-making techniques are passed on from generation to generation, as fathers and sons work side by side to build furniture that will endure for many lifetimes. Only the best woods are used, selected for their superior quality and beautiful grain. Every genuine piece of Amish furniture is made of solid wood construction, with no particle board or veneers.

You are making a big investment when you purchase Amish furniture, but the returns will far exceed you expectations. When considering Amish furnishings, look for the highest quality construction materials and techniques. Make sure each piece is crafted of solid wood; this includes solid wood backs on upright pieces such as dressers. Different woods are available, including oak, quartersawn oak, cherry, maple, hickory, and pine. These quality hardwoods are kiln-dried to assure proper moisture content. This helps prevent splitting and cracking for the life of the piece.

Be sure to examine the construction carefully, whether you are selecting an entire bedroom set or a single piece. Keep in mind that the Amish are renowned for their handcrafted furniture, using generations-old techniques to build solid and enduring works. If you are considering pieces such as dressers, nightstands, chests of drawers, armoires, and chifferobes, their drawers should hold up under rigorous daily use. Make sure the dovetail joints holding the fronts and backs of drawer boxes together have very tight tolerances. Something to remember here is that English dovetail joints provide more storage capacity than French ones. Also remember to inspect the drawer slides to be sure they run smoothly in both directions.

Your bed will be the centerpiece of any bedroom set and thus should be crafted with solid-wood side rails and slats, which will eliminate the need for metal mattress frames. Cross slats need to be tongue-and-grooved or doweled into the side rails. Beds that are constructed in this manner will be extremely sturdy with no swaying. For even more superior strength, look for headboards and footboards that are constructed with full mortise and tenon joinery. Beds are available in a variety of styles, most commonly Mission, Shaker, Sleigh, or Traditional. Remember, true Amish-made furniture can always be custom ordered to fit your exact needs.

When selecting a quality piece of heirloom Amish bedroom furniture, you also need to pay attention to the finish. The best craftsmen will sand down the wood in several different steps, ensuring a smooth surface inside and out. Some shops follow a five-step process to finish each piece of furniture, using a top-grade catalyzed finish so strong it’ll stand up to acetone nail polish remover. The best pieces will have surfaces that are finished and sealed—from top to side to underside—which will protect your investment for a lifetime.