Real wood furniture comes under the most famous and demanded category of furniture till today. Its been in demand and had not turn outdated since hundreds of years and holds an history of its existence a way back when cave men got exhausted by living on floor and desperately looked for any other better alternative.

Woods that are molded into various shapes and fashioned into different styles comes under three categories:

?? Hardwoods

?? Softwoods

?? Composites

Even the term 'hardwood' or 'softwood' is highly contradictory. Hardwoods need not always is a hard or dense material. For instance, balsa wood stands amongst the lightest, least dense woods but still it's considered as a hardwood. If seen from a technical point of view, lumber is categorized as to how the tree reproduces. As per the nature rule, softwood trees remain evergreen round the year whereas the hardwoods create the beautiful autumn foliage that we all admire.

Hardwoods are regarded as the highest quality and the most expensive wood. Their natural colors ranges from the darkest woods to the lightest ones that can be even stained or painted to shell out more variety. Hardwood furniture is rigid so it is least expected to warp or bend and it is prized in all high quality homes. The woods generally coming in use for furniture production are cherry, walnut, oak, maple and mahogany.

Though softwoods are cheaper than hardwoods still they demand extra care. As they are not long lasting, it's is quite easy to scratch or dent softwood furniture. Moreover they don't stain as clearly and beautifully as the hardwood. Pine is an example of a softwood that comes in use for manufacturing furniture articles.

Composites falls under the category of cheapest and economical form of wood and is manufactured rather than grown.

1. Plywood: Multiple layers of thin wooden sheets are fixed together and is pressed. Plywood is durable and is resistible to swelling, shrinking and warping. There are some furniture articles made directly from plywood, but it is only used as a support when integrated into furniture.

2. Particle board: it is made from sawdust and small wood chips that is mixed with glue or resin and then shaped and pressed. When used in place of inexpensive furniture, it is usually laminated or covered with veneer. This becomes necessary as particle board has the tendency to split easily and the lamination prevents splitting.

3. Hardboard: it is made in the similar way as particle board is made but it is more stronger as it is given more pressure.

4. MDF or Medium Density Fiberboard: in this case, wood particles are joined together with resin and later compressed. It is harder and stronger than particle board or hardboard, and can also be cut like plywood though it is not as durable as plywood. The exposed edges of MDF are harsh and requires covering with molding or some other decorative material.

In technical terms, furniture manufactured out of these wood products is "real" wood furniture. Prices and quality vary from the hardwoods to the composites. The higher quality you desire for the more you are required to pay for it. The best part lies in the fact that if handled with proper care hardwood furniture would promise you a long lasting companionship. It is always suggestible to go for hardwood furniture, if affordable.