There’s no doubt that there are a lot of end tables out there to choose from these days. Look online and you’ll find literally thousands of different models to choose from. If your previous idea of a table was a board and some cinder blocks or hand me downs from your parent’s house, then you probably are a bit bewildered about what’s what in the world of end tables.

To help you, here’s a little tutorial on the different kinds of materials end tables are made from.

First, there’s wood. But not all wood is created equally. There are many different products sold as “wood” they aren’t necessarily the solid woods you may be thinking of. This doesn’t make them bad or even inferior. But before you go out and purchase “wood” end tables, you do want to know the difference.

Solid wood tables are just that, they are made of solid pieces of wood. They are by far the most substantial and to many homeowners, the most beautiful. Most reputable manufacturers still make end tables of wood, whether it’s oak, cherry, mahogany or even more exotic woods, such as teak or eucalyptus.

Veneer is another good choice, but you need to know what the veneer is placed over. In most cases, the veneer is laid over a composite wood. That’s not to say that veneer is any less desirable or well made. If you’ve ever seen a beautifully inlaid table, it may be made of veneers. This makes end tables much more affordable, since some woods are quite rare and having a table made of actual full pieces of wood from this rare stock would be prohibitively expensive.

That said, you can also purchase veneer that’s placed over particleboard. This is typically done with less expensive pieces as particleboard isn’t as strong as wood end tables or those that use composites. If you live in a humid climate they can also start to fall apart on you or swell over time.

Quality veneer used in end tables is usually very thin, often just 1/16″ thick. This is actual hard wood, not imitations. There are, however, vinyl veneers. These use a type of photographic process to simulate the look of real wood. This is used on less expensive pieces of furniture.

There are plenty of tables out there that use no wood at all but are just as beautiful and well crafted. Popular materials are marble, glass, metals such as aluminum or steel… the list is endless.

Because materials can vary so greatly, you want to be sure of what you’re buying. While it may be hard to figure it out in a brick and mortar store, most online retailers will gladly tell you what the tables are made from. They want to earn your trust and since you can’t actually touch the furniture, they typically want to give you as much information as possible to help you make an informed buying decision. And since reputable dealers offer liberal return and exchange policies, you can have the products shipped to your house, inspect them just to be sure they are up to your standards, and return anything that doesn’t pass muster. However, this is rare with online retailers, who know that their reputation is on the line whenever they make a sale.

While many people dismiss veneers as being inexpensive or poorly made, you’ll quickly find that the selection of end tables with gorgeous and often highly ornate patterns are hardly cheap. They are worth every penny, however, certainly as much as any solid wood furnishings are and you’ll be delighted with the lasting beauty they bring into your home.

Author Bio: Jesse Akre owns Edenvale Shoppes and hosts numerous furniture and furnishings for any home whether it be end tables or teak furniture styles and designs.

Category: Advice
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