What is the most common type of wood used for furniture?

The most common type of wood used for furniture is hardwood, such as oak or maple. Hardwoods are favored in furniture making due to their durability, dense structure, and aesthetic appeal. They typically have finer grains and richer colors, which enhance the visual quality of the finished product. Hardwoods are also more resistant to wear and tear compared to softer woods, making them ideal for items meant to last, like tables, chairs, and cabinets.

While softwoods, such as pine or cedar, are often less expensive and easier to work with, they do not offer the same level of strength or longevity that hardwoods do. Plywood, although widely used in furniture construction, is engineered from layers of veneer and is typically used as a substrate rather than the primary material visible in a piece of furniture. Therefore, hardwoods remain the standard choice for furniture due to their superior qualities.