Since the early 20th century, Amish furniture has become nationally renowned for its beauty, resilience, and functionality. On their journey to perfect their carpentry craft, the Amish have developed rigorous design standards to create the quality furniture we know and love. If you’re eager to add an authentic, Amish-made piece of furniture to your home, Adirondack Furniture explains everything you need to know about Amish furniture design.
The Finest Materials
There are several reasons why Amish furniture is passed down from generation to generation. One of them is the material used to make it: locally sourced solid wood. Some of the most common types of wood used by Amish furniture artisans are beech, cedar, and hickory, among many others.
Their choice of wood depends on the furniture piece they’re crafting, the grain of the wood, and more. Thanks to its wood build, Amish furniture is durable, allowing it to resist dents, scrapes, and other forms of wear and tear. Additionally, special stains and the wood’s natural appeal enable every piece to become more beautiful as it ages.
Age-Old Techniques
As you likely know, the Amish do not use electricity, and their woodworking craft is no exception to this rule. Instead of using electrically powered tools, they rely on devices that are hydraulically and pneumatically powered. In other words, their tools are powered by compressed air. The Amish also use diesel generators to power these compressors, resulting in a completely electricity-free workshop.
Aside from these uniquely powered tools, the Amish also complete all of their sanding and finishing by hand. Similarly, when they need to dry their furniture, they utilize open-air seasoning and kiln-based drying techniques. With these time-tested strategies, Amish furniture design boasts an unparalleled level of attention to detail and quality.
Timeless Joinery Methods
Amish furniture features intricate design elements that make it stand apart. For example, it usually features dovetail joints, a joinery technique that does not use nails and is highly resistant to being pulled apart. Similarly, the Amish use mortise and tenon joints to connect their furniture as well. These joinery methods create a sleek, seamless appearance to complement the enhanced strength they offer every piece of furniture.
Aesthetically Pleasing Styles
Through the years, the Amish have developed several furniture styles that allow their customers to create cohesive looks throughout their homes. Some of their most popular designs include:
- Mission style: This type of Amish furniture features classic straight lines as well as exposed joinery. It offers homeowners a simple, clean aesthetic that can easily integrate into many styles of interior décor.
- Shaker style: With notable design features such as tapering, turnings, and wooden pulls and knobs, this type of Amish furniture is designed with durability and functionality foremost in mind. Like Mission furniture, Shaker furniture coordinates with many modern interior design styles.
However, keep in mind that available Amish furniture designs are only limited by the creativity and skill of the craftsmen. You’ll find many options to accommodate almost any décor style, from contemporary spaces to rustic cabins.
Put Amish-Made Furniture to the Test
If you’re ready to explore all that Amish furniture design offers, visit Adirondack Furniture in Syracuse or East Syracuse, NY today. Our showrooms host an extensive stock of Amish-made furnishings for the living room, dining room, bedroom, and more to help you outfit your home with beautiful, handcrafted items that will stand the test of time. Additionally, our helpful staff will be available to answer your questions, share more than 35 years of expertise in Amish furniture, and help you find the right pieces for every room.
