Did you read the product description of your favorite bedroom furniture but found yourself completely confused about what is the best type of wood for bedroom furniture?
There are virtually unlimited types of wood out there, so I don’t blame you one bit.
In fact, I used to find myself absolutely lost when I looked at the description of fancy furniture and read fancy names of wood—names that flew right past me.
But spending years working with home design taught me a thing or two about the best type of wood for bedroom furniture. And that’s why I’m writing this guide…to share that with you.
All Types of Wood for Bedroom Furniture
There are thousands of types of wood, so understanding the specifics of each can get really complicated. And honestly, I don’t think it’s worth your time and effort to learn everything about every wood type.
That’s because most wood types have so much overlap between them that it’s essentially impossible to know which is better.
So to make it easier to understand the different types of furniture wood, I’ve broken down them down into two categories: hardwood and softwood.
Pro tip: if you’re already familiar with hardwood and softwood furniture, then I recommend that you dive into the specifics of these 22 furniture wood types.
Hardwood vs. Softwood
I can go on and on about the differences between hardwood and softwood (because there are just so many). But for our purposes right now, these are the top 3 differences to keep in mind when choosing the best type of wood for bedroom furniture:
- Hardwood usually has intricate grain patterns unlike softwood, which has straight grain patterns
- Softwood comes in lighter colors, whereas hardwood comes in all varieties of colors
- Hardwood is typically more durable and stronger (as you probably guessed from its name)
Winner: hardwood is better for bedroom furniture because of its diverse colors, more intricate patterns, and higher durability.
Most Popular Hardwood Options for the Best Type of Wood for Bedroom Furniture + Ideas
As I said above, hardwood is the best option for bedroom furniture. However, we’re not done yet. There are still many types of hardwood that are commonly used for bedroom furniture.
These are the 15 most popular hardwood options for furniture:
- Oak
- Maple
- Cherry
- Mahogany
- Walnut
- Birch
- Ash
- Teak wood
- Beech
- Hickory
- Poplar
- Alder
- Elm
- Sapele
- Rosewood
Pro tip: While this isn’t the final answer of this article, you should always make sure that any furniture you purchase is made of one of these materials.
Most Popular Softwood Options + Ideas
Most interior designers, including me, do not recommend softwood for furniture because it tends to break a lot quicker. Also, softwood furniture just doesn’t look as good as hardwood furniture.
But I’ve still seen many people opt for softwood if they want a cheap wood option for DIY bedroom decor.
These are the 10 most popular softwood options:
- Pine
- Cedar
- Spruce
- Fir
- Redwood
- Hemlock
- Douglas Fir
- Cypress
- Larch
- Yew
Top 3 Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Type of Wood For Bedroom Furniture
When choosing bedroom furniture, the 3 most important factors to keep in mind are the price, design, and maintenance.
Trust me, the last thing you want is an ugly piece of furniture that cost you a fortune and requires polishing every week.
To make sure that you don’t make this mistake, here is the best type of wood for bedroom furniture for each of these 3 factors. Make sure to keep these wood types in mind at all times.
1. Low Price
Yes, softwood is typically more affordable than hardwood. But you don’t want something that’ll break or wear out within a year or two. That’s not frugal living.
Frugal living is when you buy something for a low price AND it lasts you a long time. That’s why I highly recommend that you only purchase bedroom furniture in hardwood.
Best type of wood for bedroom furniture in terms of price: poplar.
You can buy ready-made bedroom furniture of poplar, or you can buy poplar wood separately and make DIY decor or furniture.
My favorite place to purchase poplar hardwood is Ocooch Hardwoods. The biggest reason for this is because they help you make an informed decision.
For example, they state that “poplar is a good choice for beginner woodworkers” and that its color “darkens and browns with time.”
Additionally, as a home design blogger, I also love that they have a small FAQ section to answer any basic questions you may have about the wood type. This makes it much easier for you to pick the right wood.
2. Versatile Appearance/Design
This factor is a bit more subjective. Everyone has their own opinion on what type of wood looks the best and that opinion may be completely different from mine…which is perfectly fine!
If you already know which type of wood looks the best for you, feel free to stick with it.
Additionally, different types of wood look better for different types of bedroom furniture, which is why picking just 1 best type of wood for design is really complicated.
For example, walnut is typically the best wood for a modern look, but mahogany is the best wood for a classic look.
That’s why the winner of this criteria is the type of wood that is the most versatile: cherry wood.
3. High Durability + Low Maintenance/Care
Once again, frugal living isn’t just about purchasing the cheapest product out there. It’s also about purchasing the cheapest product that doesn’t require hundreds of dollars of maintenance.
That’s why you one of the best types of wood for bedroom furniture is wood that’s durable and stands the test of time.
The best type of wood for bedroom furniture that is typically the most durable and requires the lowest maintenance is teak wood.
Unlike most types of wood, teak wood is highly resistant to moisture. This is perfect for bedroom furniture because it reduces the risk of cracking, chipping, or fading.
What Is The Best Type of Wood For Bedroom Furniture?
The Ultimate Answer for the Best Type of Wood For Bedroom Furniture
There’s really not a single answer for the best type of wood for bedroom furniture because everyone has their own preferences and needs.
For example, some people may want more durable wood, whereas others want modern wood. It all comes down to what you’re looking for (which is why I gave the best wood types based on different factors above).
But I know that’s not the answer you’re looking for.
So here’s your ultimate answer: the best type of wood for bedroom furniture that most interior designers and homeowners seem to agree on is rubber wood.
Why Is Rubber Wood the Best Type of Wood for Bedroom Furniture?
Rubber wood is one of the most popular choices because it’s highly durable, generally more affordable than most other hardwood furniture, and it has a versatile design that works for a variety of bedroom design styles.
Rubber wood’s versatile design comes from its light color, making it easy to stain into other colors that work for all types of bedroom themes, such as modern decor or even farmhouse decor.
My Favorite Store for Rubber Wood Bedroom Furniture
My favorite store to purchase bedroom furniture made of rubber wood is Silk & Snow.
Silk & Snow sells bedroom furniture, such as bed frames and nightstands, made of high-quality rubber wood. These furniture pieces also have unique add-ons and matching sets.
For example, one of my favorite bedroom combinations is the Rattan Bed Frame and the Rattan Nightstand.
This bed frame has a natural color made of solid rubber wood that makes it suitable for almost any bedroom. But what makes it my favorite option is that you can buy it with and without a headboard.
Customizability is truly amazing when choosing bedroom furniture.
My Favorite Alternatives for Different Types of Wood
If rubber wood just doesn’t feel right for you, don’t worry. Here are some other best types of wood for bedroom furniture:
- Mahogany Wood
- Walnut Wood
- Maple Wood
- Cherry Wood
- Oak Wood
I recommend getting bedroom furniture made of any of these wood types from OJCommerce.
OJCommerce has one of the largest collection of bedroom furniture options made from a large variety of wood types. So, trust me, you will definitely find many good options made in the type of wood you are looking for.
Here are some of my favorite ideas for inspiration:
- Oak wood: Baxton Studio Laure Platform Bed Frame (Beautiful finish that works with almost any bedroom design)
- Walnut Wood: 1-Drawer Small Nightstand (Made for durability and a rich finish)
- Maple Wood: 2-Drawer Wardrobe (Has a low price and a versatile design)
Conclusion
So here you go: the ultimate guide on the best type of wood for bedroom furniture + budget-friendly ideas for inspiration.
Make sure to assess your needs before coming to a final decision. The popular choice may not always be the best choice for you…and that is completely normal.
I’ve provided plenty of good options above for different purposes, so try to find the best type of wood that fits YOUR needs.
For other budget home decor ideas and tips, whether it be for your living room, dining room, family room, or kitchen, follow my Pinterest page. I publish budget home decor ideas every single day for people just like you!
Meet The Author
Hi! I’m Anish, your budget buying guide! I’ve been reviewing home gadgets and accessories for the past 3 years, so it’s safe to say I know a thing or two about home products.
So why did I start writing these guides? Because I saw that people were spending WAY too much money on home products when there were SO MANY cheaper alternatives out there.
I want to help you save money on your home gadgets without compromising the appearance and functionality of your home. So what better way is there than simply writing about how I do it myself?
I want to show you how you can change the landscape of your home without spending a dime more than what is required. You can save more money than you might think!