Overview of beech furniture, material properties and decorative features
One of the most common hardwood species in America, Europe and Asia - beech - is actively used in the furniture industry. The material has a unique color, strength, hardness. Beech furniture is not inferior in quality to oak, but has a lower cost. After special processing, beech wood becomes flexible, bent furniture elements are made from it.
Wood properties
An adult beech tree reaches a height of 30 m, a trunk diameter of about 2 m. Its life cycle can reach 400 years, felling begins after 100 years. The lower part of the trunk has no knots, so the lumber is first-class and highly sought after. The composition of wood includes components of organic origin: cellulose, lingin, hexosans, pentosans. Unique is the color of the wood. The array has a light color with a reddish yellow tint. Adult beech trees may have a dark core and mineral stripes. The array is highly decorative, used for the manufacture of exclusive furniture.
The main advantages of beech as a material for the manufacture of furniture:
- Wood has a positive energy, beech is considered a "donor tree." The use of such furniture increases concentration, stress resistance. Therefore, it is often installed in children's, work rooms, offices;
- The density of wood is high, it is 650-720 g / m3. The material is suitable for the manufacture of cabinet frames, upholstered furniture, garden sets;
- The fiber strength is 46 MPa, increases in bending to 94 MPa. When stretched along the trunk, the strength reaches 129 MPa;
- Beech products are durable. The material easily endures mechanical stress without losing shape;
- The average humidity of the massif is 80%, the maximum level is 120%;
- When steaming, the beech becomes very flexible, easy to process. From it you can make products of unusual shapes;
- The material has high hygroscopicity. It is most often used for interior decoration indoors. In the manufacture of garden products, wood is pre-impregnated: the fibers are impregnated with emulsion compositions to increase water resistance, biological stability;
- The cost of wood can be attributed to the average price category. It is more expensive than pine and birch, but cheaper than oak.
In addition to using the array in the manufacture of furnishings, it is used in the production of veneer, plywood, and boards. Veneers are used for finishing stairs, walls, floors and even ceilings.
Kinds
From the array of this beautiful durable wood, several varieties of furnishings are made. They can be divided into large groups.
Furniture for children
When choosing products for the nursery, parents are guided by reliability and safety. Beech headsets are the most environmentally friendly. The wood does not form a splinter, so the baby will not get hurt, even if it bites the side of the crib. A durable frame will withstand all the jumps and swings of the child.
The items in the children's room are:
- The most popular cots for babies from birth;
- For older children, beds with rounded headboards, carved or rectangular stable legs are offered;
- The high strength of the wood makes it possible to make bunk beds from it into the nursery. Models have low legs, under the bed you can place a box for bedding and textiles;
- Beech wardrobes, dressers, cabinets are made of beech. On facades drawing, a film with a photo printing can be applied. Instead of the fittings of handles, carved openings are made in the casement closets that are safe and convenient for babies.
The beech massif is also used in the manufacture of toys for children: knockers, insert frames, mazes, cubes and dominoes.
Beds for a bedroom
Beds made of solid beech wood are durable, unique wood texture, high environmental friendliness. Models have high bent or straight solid headboards and foots of a rectangular shape. The beds are made in various styles: classic, modern, high-tech.
There is no elaborate decor in the products; the main decoration is the beautiful natural appearance of wood covered with tint varnish. An important advantage of beech beds is their high strength, they are suitable even for people with a lot of weight.
The base is equipped with lower storage drawers and slats that hold the mattress, providing a comfortable sleep. With minor damage, the beech surface is easily restored.
Cabinets
The material is ideally suited for the production of cabinet cabinets, shelves and interior sections of embedded models. Cabinets made of beech wood with a unique texture of wood belong to the premium segment. Examples can be seen in the photo.
The following varieties of beech cabinets are distinguished:
- Dressing rooms have several shelves for small items, boxes with shoes, a bar for hangers;
- Bookcases are intended for storage of books, documents. Sashes can be completely wooden or have glass inserts. Some models have open shelves - such products look lighter and more elegant;
- Cupboards for dishes. Products are installed in the living room, dining room, kitchen. The frames are durable, withstand the heavy weight of glass and porcelain;
- Sliding wardrobes are suitable for a modern interior, require less space for installation than standard swing models.
A special aristocracy of designs is given by the lack of overload of decorative elements. At the same time, the sashes of models of different styles are decorated with patina, painting, covered with tint varnish and colored enamels. Beech wood weighs a lot, so moving the cabinet will be difficult.
Dressers
Products are used to store personal items, textiles, bedding. Both simple concise models of natural color with transparent varnish are offered, as well as products decorated with carvings. Dressers from bedroom sets have a smooth shape, a special flavor, expressed in carved decor.
The most popular beech chest of drawers is Italian walnut. In this shade, the unique texture of beech wood is especially expressive. Products in a modern style are decorated with minimalist fittings and painted with light or gray enamels. Such a piece of furniture will certainly become the central focus of the interior.
Bent furniture
The most popular products are Viennese chairs and soft chairs. Products have a comfortable sitting, high thin legs connected by arched elements. The back of chairs or armchairs is low, its shape is rounded. This provides maximum comfort during the use of products.
In the soft chairs, small armrests are provided, which are a continuation of the curved back. Despite the external simplicity, the chairs look expensive, elegant. They testify to the good taste of the owners, are suitable for the modern, classic interior and country style. Such chairs can be placed both in the dining room, kitchen, and in the living room, study, bedroom. Bent chairs in combination with dining tables made of solid beech will decorate any living room.
Garden headsets
Beech furniture for the garden, porches and arbors is made of impregnated beech. The processed material easily tolerates changes in temperature and humidity. Garden kits consist of tables, chairs, benches. The shape of the countertops is usually rectangular with rounded corners. Tables look solid, withstand heavy loads. Products are made of simple shapes, chairs and benches have wide backs, comfortable armrests. It is difficult to overturn such products, their weight is significant.
You can install garden furniture with sets or individual products. It harmoniously fits into any landscape design, is offered in various shades of natural wood. The array is also used in the production of tubs, barrels, for storage and preservation of the crop.
Hue palette
Wood in nature can have several different shades: pinkish, beige, yellowish, cream. While maintaining the natural shade of the product are covered with a transparent varnish. Over time, the color of the array becomes a little darker. The most popular is the beige color of products.
In addition to natural tones, the palette includes the following colors:
- A light beech is painted in silver or golden shades. The coating may be translucent or intense. Such products are used singly. They will fit into the interior of techno, hi-tech, modern;
- White beech - the natural color of the array is whitish-gray, it is called the hornbeam. Hornbeam products are suitable for cottages, country houses, country interiors;
- Bleached beech is a very light shade. The wood is pre-treated with steam, after which it is painted white and dried. Finished products have a uniform light color;
- The darkest shade is Bavaria. Furniture of this color is equally good both at home and in the office. Intense dark color emphasizes the strength and reliability of wood;
- Different wood shades: walnut, wenge, alder, cherry. Tinting varnishes allow you to maintain the visibility of the natural texture, but give a beautiful shade;
- When staining with enamels, for example, children's models, various colors are used: blue, green, yellow. If furniture is made to order, then the intensity of the shade is chosen by the buyer. Most often, pastel colors are chosen. They do not have an overly stimulating effect.
To emphasize the beauty of beech furniture as much as possible, simple wall decoration with light tones will help. Color accents are placed by accessories, decor items and textiles.
Which is better to choose
To create a harmonious interior, you need to correctly combine the interior decoration of rooms and furniture. If you prefer high-quality reliable things of simple shape, then choose furnishings from beech. A wide range of models allows you to choose the right products for any design.
When choosing furnishings made of beech, it is worth remembering that the price of wood refers to the middle price segment. Therefore, beech products can not be cheap.
When buying furniture in the cabin, it is worth considering:
- Accessories must be of high quality and firmly fixed;
- Preferably, when the cabinet doors and chests of drawers have a smooth course;
- The surface of the frames should not have cracks;
- The legs of dressers, cabinets and cabinets are stable;
- If the products are in humid conditions or in the open air, the material should be impregnated.
When calculating the appropriate dimensions of the furniture, it is taken into account that it is placed away from heating appliances and direct sunlight. Classic beech furniture is versatile. It fits into any interior and lasts a very long time. If necessary, products can be repainted in other colors, covered with tinting varnishes.