5 Things to Know about Amish Made Furniture

If you are looking for high-quality wood furniture that was definitely made by American artisans using local woods, Amish-made furniture is a naturally tempting choice. American Amish are a traditional religious culture that has rejected modern technology in order to favor a pre-industrial quality of work and style of living. Amish-made furniture is wood furniture handcrafted in Amish communities. 

That said, there are also many misunderstandings about just what Amish-made furniture really means, and what to expect from pieces of furniture that are Amish-made. Here at Adirondack Furniture, we can help you understand Amish-made furniture and find the perfect handmade wood pieces for your home design. 

Here are five things to know about Amish-made furniture. 

1) Amish Furniture is Not a Style; It’s a Source 

Many people get the impression that Amish furniture is a particular type of old-world style. This actually is not true. Amish-made furniture is made by people who live in a particular way, but their choice of style can range from classic farmhouse design to post-modern contemporary. Amish furniture can be straight-edged, round, or angular. It can be plain or have decorative carvings. It can be hard-seated or cushioned.  

While Amish crafters often share or copy each other’s designs, there is no specific style that defines Amish-made furniture. 

What does define most Amish-made furniture is the fastening styles. Screws are typically used for support, while wood pieces fit together using Dado, Mortise  Tenon, Dowel, and Dovetail joins, which promotes certain angles and construction methods. 

2) Not All Amish Furniture is High Quality or a Good Deal 

One misconception is that every piece of furniture made by the Amish is of exceptional quality.  Each Amish craftsman or group has their own techniques, level of precision, and carpentry expertise. There are Amish brands that are overpriced for their quality and Amish sellers that do offer a fair price for exceptional quality. But because Amish furniture is made by hand, no two pieces are identical. This is why it’s important to inspect each piece or have a trusted partner to choose only the best Amish-made furniture on your behalf. 

3) Not All Amish Furniture is 100% Hardwood 

Amish craftsmen are just as capable of using plywood, hardboard, and metal fittings to complete their work as modern and secular producers. This means that Amish-made furniture is not always 100% hardwood. It can be, but often Amish craftsmen choose to use the lighter pressed boards where it is most appropriate to make practical and high-performing furniture. 

4) Amish Furniture is As Unique as the Crafter 

Not all Amish furniture has the same style. Not all Amish-made furniture uses the same join styles, the same choice of materials, or represent the same quality. One piece of Amish-made furniture might be made by a master crafter, another by their apprentice. One line of pieces may be elegantly plain, another might have the maker’s mark of the same decorative feature themed from piece to piece. 

Amish furniture is hand-crafted by artisans, so each piece is unique, and lines of furniture are as unique as the crafter who made them. 

5) You Can Find Genuine Amish Furniture with Local Sellers. 

Where can you find Amish-made furniture that is guaranteed high-quality, that has the hardwood features you rely on, and a style you love? Adirondack Furniture is here as your leading source of Amish-made furniture in Syracuse, NY and beyond. To learn more about Amish-made furniture, inquire about building your ideal furniture collection with Amish-made pieces or find out about the craftsmen from whom we source our Adirondack Amish-made collections, contact us today! Syracuse: (315) 422-6400 | East Syracuse: (315) 463-1774