Amish handcrafted furniture can be a valuable asset in your home decor collection. The benefits of Amish furniture include the quality and the timeless design, making it a worthwhile investment.
Did you know that, as of 2024, there were over 400,000 Amish living in the United States, according to the Young Center? Although the Amish have a small population, their cultural impact is still prevalent in much of America today.
Have you ever wondered if it is worth it to add Amish handcrafted furniture to your collection? This versatile type of furnishing has many key advantages, such as its customization options and natural finishes to promote health and well-being.
The Benefits of Amish Furniture
Amish furniture tends to be more costly than commercially-produced alternatives, but its exemplary value makes it a long-term investment.
Amish Furniture Quality
Amish furniture is very high-quality. It is often made of solid wood, a rarity in the particleboard-dominated landscape of furniture today. Solid wood makes the furniture sturdier and can greatly extend its lifespan, meaning you get more value for a slightly higher price tag.
Amish furniture is often made of high-quality materials, such as:
- Cherry
- Maple
- Oak
- Walnut
Unlike particleboard furniture, which falls apart when moved, Amish furniture can stand the test of time, lasting over several decades. Your handcrafted Amish pieces can become family heirlooms that you pass down through generations.
A Handcrafted Furniture Investment
Handcrafted furniture is built with care. Furniture craftsman take their time with each piece, ensuring that it fits together properly and can withstand damage. Detailed craftsmanship associated with handmade furniture also makes the piece much more durable overall.
When you move to a new home or redesign your space, you will not have to spend thousands of dollars on new furniture that you will have to replace later on. Instead, you can cultivate a collection of handcrafted furniture that is beautiful, durable, and timeless.
Timeless Furniture Designs
Many furniture trends go in and out of style, and with today's fast fashion aesthetic making its way to home decor, timeless furniture is more of an important investment. Look for pieces that go with many different themes and color schemes, so you can keep the furniture even as you update other elements of your home.
The traditional wood design of Amish furniture blends well with many style elements in modern homes. Integrating it with other wooden furniture can give the space a more traditional feel, while a more modern aesthetic makes handcrafted furniture stand out as statement pieces.
Sustainability
Many Amish furniture makers use locally sourced materials, such as lumber, without contributing to deforestation or other environmental hazards. Additionally, they limit the use of harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, and opt for more natural, nontoxic sealants and finishes.
Can Amish Furniture be Customized?
Sometimes. If you are able to work with a local Amish retailer, you can potentially customize your furniture. However, this is less likely to be an option if you decide to order your Amish furniture online.
One of the advantages of Amish furniture over mass-produced alternatives is that you can often work directly with the manufacturer to create a customized piece. Whether you have a certain finish preference or you want your piece to fit into a designated space, these types of requests can often be accommodated by Amish furniture makers.
Does Amish Furniture Have Formaldehyde?
No. While many types of furniture use formaldehyde in particleboard and as adhesives, Amish furniture does not use this type of chemical. Formaldehyde can also have negative health impacts, such as the potential development of lung conditions like bronchitis and asthma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Buy Amish Furniture Online?
Yes. Although most Amish do not actively use the internet, as it is against their lifestyle and religious principles, many Amish furniture makers partner with online retailers to offer their products to a wider consumer base.
Purchasing Amish furniture online can allow you to enjoy the beauty of Amish craftsmanship, even if you do not live near an Amish community. Companies such as Harvest Array can bring Amish goods right to your door.
Are There Still Active Amish Communities in the United States?
Yes. Although the Amish population has dwindled over the years, there are still many active Amish communities scattered throughout the United States. The highest concentration of Amish people in the United States is located in the East, with many communities in states such as:
- Pennsylvania
- Indiana
- Ohio
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, holds the honor of not only being the largest active Amish community in the country, but also the oldest. The community has over 40 thousand members and is older than the country itself, established in the year 1760.
How Can I Preserve the Quality of Amish Furniture?
Since Amish furniture is handcrafted and often more expensive than modern options like particleboard, it is crucial to protect your investment. With proper care and cleaning, Amish furniture can be passed down through generations.
Here are some tips for preserving the quality of your Amish furniture:
- Dust your furniture: Use a feather duster or lint-free cloth to remove dirt and other dust particles from your Amish furniture.
- Use wood conditioner: Since wood is a natural material, it needs to be nourished and protected with substances such as wood conditioner to keep it supple.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Wood can fade more quickly when exposed to excessive sunlight, so keep furniture in a safe place indoors that does not have much exposure to UV rays.
- Stay away from humidity: High humidity signals that the moisture content in the air is high, which can warp the wood in your Amish furniture.
- Promptly clean spills: Spills, especially liquid, can seep into the wood of Amish furniture, warping it and causing permanent damage.
Elevate Your Home With Amish Handcrafted Furniture
Amish handcrafted furniture can bring tradition and appeal to your home. With this guide, you can determine the best type of Amish furniture that will elevate your space and protect your investment for generations to come.
Would you like to learn more about home decor and how to style certain types of furniture? Take a look around our website for answers to all of your interior design questions.
This article was prepared by an independent contributor and helps us continue to deliver quality news and information.
