When Buying a Bed, What Kind of Material Should I Choose?

A bed made from real wood is produced of timber. Timber is the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as bedroom furniture. Hardwoods are woods from trees that lose their leaves in autumn, such as oak, walnut and maple. Softwoods are woods from trees that do not shed their leaves, like pines or cedars. The terms "hardwood" and "softwood" do not refer to the actual strength the wood.

Asian hardwoods, also referred to as parawoods, rubberwoods or tropical hardwoods are from Southeast Asia. Originally from the Amazon region, the seeds were transported to England in the mid-1800’s for germination, and the seedlings were then sent to Malaysia where they were planted permanently, resulting in the name Asian hardwood. Furniture made from these hardwoods is considered to be ecologically friendly because before the tree is harvested, it was used to produce rubber for approximately 30 years. A four poster bed made from Asian hardwood is rich in texture and style. 

Engineered woods are processed by using heat and pressure to glue wood fibers together. One type of engineered wood is medium density fiberboard or MDF. MDF is more affordable than solid wood, but just as strong and durable. If you want bedroom furniture that is easy to care for while having the look and feel of real wood, select a platform bed or headboard made of MDF and a combination of veneers or laminates; the MDF will give the piece of furniture strength and the veneers or laminates will allow for easy cleaning.

Laminates are produced by pressing layers of plastic, metal or wood together, then sealing them with a thermosetting resin. The synthetic material is then applied to a frame made of an engineered wood such as They are commonly used to make home furnishings because they are durable, easy to care for and economical. Since laminates don’t fade and have no grain, they are easier to match when adding additional pieces to your original bedroom set.

Wood veneers are created by a similar process as in the making of laminates. Thin slices of real wood are glued to the piece of furniture using heat and pressure. Since it can be applied to any smooth, flat surface, this is a popular material for ready-to-assemble bedroom furniture like a panel bed. Since it is not as expensive to manufacture, it also gives furniture the texture and appearance of genuine solid woods, while keeping costs down.

Considered to be the most durable material for furniture, solid wood furnishings are constructed from wood cut from the trunks of trees like pine, mahogany or oak and are more expensive than engineered wood products. If your budget allows for a sleigh bed made of solid wood, it will be something that you will prize for years to come. Should you want to add a dresser, nightstand or armoire at some time in the future, keep in mind that solid wood furniture may be more difficult to match to your bed, even if produced by the same manufacturer, due to factors like wood density and variations in how the finish was applied.

Metals are a popular material for beds because of their strength and luster. Alloys refer to metals made by combining two or more elements. Generally speaking, pure metals tend to be too soft, too brittle or chemically reactive. The purpose of creating an alloy is to make the metal stronger and more stable. Because most all metal beds are subject to the effects of time and oxidization, choose one with a durable finish that is either moisture or rust resistant.