There isn’t a clear superior choice between hardwood and softwood furniture because the decision often involves several factors, such as design, budget, and use. Ultimately, the best type of wood for your furniture will be the type that matches your preferences and meets your needs. 

Design

The type of wood you choose for your furniture should suit your preferences for style and design. Ultimately, these types of choices come down to what you like most, but many people find it helpful to consider the existing design of the space where a piece of furniture will go and how one type of wood or another may look and function in that space. 

Budget

One interesting difference between hardwood and softwood is that hardwood typically takes longer to grow. The tall trees that produce softwood are also often straight and easy to cut. All these factors together affect the price of softwood and hardwood. 

Your budget is an important factor to consider when deciding which types of wood to use for furniture. It’s important to remember that there are wood varieties for all budgets that can be used to make stunning furnishings. Mahogany and red cedar can both look fantastic, as can maple and western hemlock. 

Use

How a piece of furniture will be used and where it will be used are two important considerations for any piece of wood furniture. Hardwood is often great for large pieces that must carry more weight, such as dining room furniture, office furniture, while softwood can be great for smaller accent pieces. 

Outdoor furnishings may also require special considerations for wood type. While you can use most varieties of wood for furniture that will be placed indoors, some varieties survive better than others outdoors. You’ll need to consider not only the durability of the wood you choose for outdoor furniture but also its resilience against moisture and weather.