Despite the many composite materials available today, Aussies still prefer good old wood for their home furniture; timber adds character to any space, and it is no surprise that homeowners like furniture that is made from real Aussie timber, of which there is a sustainable supply.
Wide range of Australian timbers
The list of Aussie timbers is indeed long and includes the following:
- Jarrah – A firm favourite with Aussie homeowners, jarrah is very durable and rot-resistant, with a pleasant reddish brown appearance, making it perfect for flooring, decking and furniture. If, for example, you are looking for a solid wood bookcase in Australia, jarrah is the perfect species that will complement any room.
- Spotted Gum – A greyish-brown wood with very attractive grain, spotted gum is strong, hardy and easy to work with, which makes it perfect for decking and flooring.
- Blackbutt – A yellowish-brown colour with a deep, wavy grain, blackbutt has a great strength-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for frames, cladding and exterior flooring.
- Tasmanian Oak – A light coloured wood that is suitable for furniture, flooring, doors and windows. Many joiners recommend this timber for fine furniture projects. There are plantations that ensure a sustainable supply of oak in WA, which supplies a thriving joinery sector.
- Ironbark – A dark and heavy timber that is extremely durable, which is ideal for high-traffic flooring and decking. This timber is also used in heavy construction, due to its high density and ease of working.
- Tallowwood – A yellowish-green timber with an attractive wavy grain, tallowwood is typically used for outdoor projects because it is durable and termite-resistant.
Custom-made furniture
Contrary to public opinion, having wood furniture custom-made is no more expensive than regular mass-produced furniture, and because of that, many homeowners prefer to hire a local joiner to create handmade furniture. There are small timber workshops that make furniture to order, and they can easily be found with an online search. You might, for example, require a bookcase of specific dimensions that are not found with off-the-shelf furniture, and the local joiner can easily knock this up in a couple of hours.
Timber ticks all the boxes as far as homeowners are concerned, and this does not look like changing anytime soon.
