As folk wisdom says, the classics are eternal. And wood is a clear confirmation of this, since with good care it will serve you for many years, if not generations, and beds, cabinets, tables, chests of drawers, cabinets made of natural wood will always occupy high positions in fashion trends, having lost not an iota of their relevance . It is for this banal reason that the variety of furniture made from different types of wood presented in stores often unbalances the buyer, posing an extremely simple question that is difficult to answer - what to choose? After all, really think about what to give preference to, if furniture made from pine and birch is available for sale from environmentally friendly materials at an affordable price?
And in this material we will try to find the answer to this tricky question that torments many people to this day. Go…
Characteristics of a pine bed
A solid pine bed will fit perfectly into any interior style. Thanks to its soft structure, it can be made both in a minimalist design and in a luxurious classic one, creating elegant carved headboards and footboards. Due to the low density of the material, it weighs little, so it will be easy to move around the apartment. This will make the rearrangement convenient and, in case of moving, will facilitate transportation.
The best material for creating cabinet furniture is considered to be pine trees, which grow in dry climates at high elevations. They are more durable than trees that grew in areas with high humidity. The structure of this wood is soft and loose. Products made from such material will be more fragile and short-lived.
A double bed made of pine by Janice Alitte will fit well into a modern interior
Benefits of wood
Pine beds have a number of advantages that make them popular in the cabinet furniture market.
Pros:
- Phytoncides. Pine is a coniferous tree. They produce active substances that kill harmful microbes and disinfect the space. Even treated wood releases phytoncides, so it is resistant to the formation of fungi and rotting. By killing harmful viruses and bacteria, it also protects owners from colds.
- Beautiful texture. The wood has a pronounced grain structure and a bright amber hue, which visually expands and refreshes the space. Therefore, a bed in this color is especially suitable for those who live in small apartments.
- Low cost. Pine is the most inexpensive wood of all. If the price of a double model made of ash or oak starts from 80-90 thousand, from birch from 35-45 thousand, then from pine it will cost about 20-25 thousand.
- Soft structure. It is easy to carve, which allows you to make models to suit different interior styles.
The low cost of wood is due to its ubiquity of growth and ease of processing.
Disadvantages of solid pine
Soft wood also has its disadvantages. For example, after mechanical impact, scratches and chips may remain on the surface. Therefore, it is better not to place such products close to the wall in the bedroom.
In addition, pine has other disadvantages that should be taken into account when purchasing.
Minuses:
- Resin leaks. This is a resinous wood, so even finished furniture may have some resin on it.
- Color change. This is a natural material, so it may darken over time. In such cases, we do not recommend placing light-colored furniture in direct sunlight, or purchasing models in rich or dark shades.
Knowing all the characteristics of wood, you can choose a bed to suit your individual preferences. For example, if you are arranging a room in an eco style, then a pine product could be an excellent option. The smell of pine wood will fill the space and set you up for a pleasant, relaxing holiday. The natural color of wood will visually brighten and increase the area of the room.
The Ormatek Vesna Line 3 bed with a headboard and low footboard is made of solid birch.
Variety of models in shape and size
Manufacturers of solid wood beds produce them in a variety of options:
- standard - models are produced in the shape of a rectangle with a variety of dimensions. The corners of the products are either sharp or covered with soft material;
- carved - this option has an attractive appearance. These products are made of various beautiful patterns, making carved wooden beds perfect for rooms decorated in any style. Products in classic and loft styles look especially good;
- with a headboard - they can be soft, hard, made of wood or covered with upholstery material;
- with three backs - the option has an original design, sophisticated and elegant;
- with a canopy - beds are in great demand for both adults and children. They are distinguished by strength, security, comfort and sophistication;
- curved shape - fashionable and stylish models are ideal for modern design. They are distinguished by original configurations and increased comfort;
- with drawers - such models have been in demand for many years. The products are stylish, comfortable, and practical, since the drawers create additional space for placing various items;
- roll-out - products are indispensable for rooms with a small area, as they fold up, taking up little space;
- transformers - very suitable for small-sized housing, easily turning into a table or cabinet. The beds are stylish, comfortable, practical;
- loft bed - a popular type of furniture takes up little space and creates a comfortable place to sleep.
Roll-out
Attic
With canopy
With headboard
With three backs
With drawers
carved
Standard
Beds made of natural wood are produced in a variety of sizes. The size range is divided into the following types:
- single - the dimensions of these products vary from 80x200 to 100x200 cm. Sometimes beds are produced with a shorter length;
- one-and-a-half-sleeping - options are used for an adult or two children. Can be used by those who like a lot of free space. More popular are semi-trucks 150x200 cm. Products with a width of 120, 130, 140 cm are also produced;
- double - products have impressive dimensions with a minimum size of 160x200 cm. The largest size is 200x205 cm. Intermediate options are also produced;
- for children - these models are made in a variety of sizes. More often there are cribs with dimensions: 80x110 cm, 90x150 cm, 90x190 cm. Products for children are stationary or those that increase with the growth of the child.
In addition, some manufacturers make beds using wood for individual orders.
Double
Children's
One-and-a-half-bed
Single
Characteristics of a birch bed
Birch bedroom furniture is characterized by increased strength and wear resistance. Thanks to the dense fiber structure, it can easily withstand heavy intensive loads of up to 130 kg per bed. Therefore, it is especially suitable for people with above average weight and especially temperamental couples. It is more stable. Manufacturers often use birch to make legs for pine furniture. Over time, the product does not dry out or creak.
Despite its solid structure, birch wood, like pine, is easy to carve. Therefore, you can easily find carved products for both classic bedrooms and models in a laconic form in eco or hi-tech style.
Benefits of birch
Birch has its own unique beneficial properties that pine does not have. Therefore, when choosing, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with them in more detail.
Pros:
- Elasticity. The material is highly elastic. It bends well, so the slats for the orthopedic base for the mattress are made only from birch.
- Thermal conductivity. Wood retains heat, so its surface is very pleasant to the touch. It will always be comfortable to lean on the headboard while relaxing during the day while watching movies or reading books; you will feel this especially clearly in the spring during the heating off season.
- No resins. Unlike coniferous trees, it does not emit resin. Therefore, the furniture will retain its appearance for many years.
Complex wood processing makes a birch bed more expensive than similar pine models
Disadvantages of birch wood
But, like any other wood, birch has its drawbacks. Therefore, we advise you to take them into account before purchasing.
Minuses:
- Price. Birch furniture is about 30-40% more expensive than pine furniture. This is due to the fact that pre-production processing of the first takes almost twice as long.
- Moisture susceptibility. Due to increased humidity, the structure of the fibers is disrupted, the wood deteriorates, and mold may appear on the surface. Therefore, when purchasing furniture, it is worth considering the climatic conditions of the area. For example, if you live in a city with high humidity, then it is better to use impregnation with a water-repellent composition. If you live in an area with frequent precipitation, it is better to purchase a product with protection against sudden temperature changes.
It is especially worth buying a birch bed if you live with pets or are choosing a product for a child’s room or bedroom. After all, she will withstand even jumps and claw attacks. It is important to remember that the humidity in the room should not be higher than normal. As a result, you will receive high-quality furniture that will delight you with durability and comfort for many years.
Wood hardness indicators
The performance characteristics of furniture (wooden table, bed, bedside table, etc.) very much depend on the type of wood from which it is made. To compare wood species, hardness is used. It is the hardness index that determines how successfully the tree will withstand mechanical loads, i.e. The harder the wood, the less scratches and dents from impacts with a metal object will be visible on it. Ultimately, this will determine how long your furniture will remain looking great.
Below is a comparison table of the hardness of different types of wood.
| Brinell wood hardness chart | |
| Wood species | Average hardness kg/mm² |
| Ebony | 8,0 |
| White Acacia (Acacia) | 7,1 |
| Mahogany | 5,0 |
| Pear | 4,2 |
| Maple | 4,1 |
| Merbau | 4,1 |
| Ash | 4,0 |
| Beech (Buche) | 3,8 |
| Oak | 3,7 |
| Birch (Betula) | 3,5 |
| Walnut (Nussbaum) | 3,5 |
| Teak | 3,5 |
| Cherry (Prunus avium) | 3,5 |
| Sycamore (Platane) | 3,2 |
| Cherry | 3,1 |
| Alder (Alnus) | 3,0 |
| Pine | 2,49 |
| Spruce | 2,3 |
| Aspen | 1,86 |
* The hardness of wood within the same species may vary depending on the cut. The table shows average values by type.
Comparison of pine and birch forests
The table presented will help you compare the qualities and properties of materials and finally make your choice.
| Wood properties | Pine | Birch |
| Fiber structure | Expressed | Homogeneous or unexpressed |
| Wood color | Beige-yellow or light pink shade | A young tree has a light beige tint, a more mature tree has a yellow-brown tint. |
| Strength | Low, possible scratches and chips | High impact resistance |
| Permissible load | Up to 90 kg per bed | Up to 130 kg per bed |
| Wear resistance | Over time, the wood dries out and the furniture may begin to creak. | Doesn't dry out |
| Thermal conductivity | Low | High |
| Moisture resistance | High | In a room with high humidity it is susceptible to rotting and may become moldy. |
| Bactericidal properties | Releases phytoncides | Doesn't have |
| Price | For a single bed from 10-12 thousand rubles | For a single model from 14-16 thousand rubles |
| Life time | from 5-10 years | from 5-20 years |
Solid pine or birch: which is better?
Pine and birch are solid woods with their own advantages and different properties. Therefore, it is not entirely correct to talk about which wood is more suitable for making beds. When choosing a material, it is best to rely on your preferences, living conditions and tastes.
Suitable for a summer cottage For a summer cottage, it is better to purchase bedroom furniture made of pine; it smells pleasant, releases phytoncides and brings a feeling of homely warmth and comfort to the environment.
But it is better to avoid birch, because it does not tolerate moisture and in a damp climate can become moldy over time. If you have small children and pets, then in this case a birch bed, on the contrary, will be an ideal option. It is highly durable and cannot be scratched or dented. If you buy a pine product in light shades, then be prepared that in a room on the sunny side it will become darker over time.
Knowing these features will help you make the right choice.
Our manager will show you the invoice of materials via video call and answer all questions
conclusions
Thus, the best indicators of common and accessible materials in Belarus are found in wood species such as ash and oak. It is from these species that the EKOmax company makes its bedroom furniture (wooden beds, cabinets and chests of drawers). Alder is preferable for those consumers who are looking for inexpensive solid wood furniture with an attractive texture, but quite durable and reliable. If you choose soft varieties, such as pine or spruce, then the appearance of such furniture will quickly deteriorate. Soft wood is easily scratched, even with a fingernail. It is not practical to make furniture from it.
How to choose the right bed from an array in an online store?
- Choose a location in the room. It should not be near heating devices: heating stoves, radiators, or any electric heaters. Otherwise, due to dry air, cracks may appear on the surface.
- Choose the optimal shape and color. It should not interfere with free movement. If the bedroom is small, then choose rectangular-shaped furniture in light shades. Dark wood narrows and makes the space heavier. If there is a lot of space, then models of non-standard sizes are suitable. Many manufacturers make custom-made furniture in oval, square, and round shapes.
- Select bed size. The length should be 20-25 cm greater than the height of the buyer. If this is a married couple, then take into account the height of the one who is taller. The main thing in this parameter is your convenience and comfort. Therefore, do not purchase models that do not suit you in length and width, even if you really want to save a few thousand. As a result, you will still get tired of sleeping in an uncomfortable bed and will be forced to overpay for new furniture. You should not be cramped or uncomfortable, because this will directly affect the quality of your sleep.
- Check the basic package before ordering. Often the base is not included in the package, and on the website it is indicated as an additional option for an additional fee. Therefore, after adding a slatted bottom, the price for the model may increase by 5-7 thousand rubles. For a married couple, it is better to purchase a base with a reinforced center. These are additional legs that are installed in the middle of the base. They will make the structure even more stable.
- Determine the functions of the bed. If desired, the furniture can be equipped with drawers or a linen storage box with a lifting mechanism. Then it will become a multifunctional piece of furniture - you can not only sleep, but also store things. This solution is especially relevant for small apartments.
- Request a product passport. The passport contains personal information about the product: rules of operation and care, assembly diagram, instructions for use and warranty conditions. You can always receive the necessary documents upon request in electronic form.
- Get additional videos and photos of the selected model. If you have any doubts about the shade and texture of the wood, our manager will conduct a video consultation and answer all questions. You can contact us via messenger or by phone, we will send photos and videos of samples that we have in our office.
- Trust only trusted sites. Read customer reviews. If the indicated price for a single bed made of pine or birch is less than 10 thousand rubles, then most likely it is not natural wood or low-quality wood. Typically, prices for a single model made of pine start from 10-12 thousand rubles, and from birch from 15-17 thousand rubles.
Wipe the surface of the bed with a microfiber cloth or other soft cloth
How to properly care for a solid wood bed
Here are a few simple recommendations that will help keep your furniture in impeccable condition.
- If necessary, wipe dust from the surface with a slightly damp cloth.
- After wet cleaning, wipe the surface with microfiber or other soft cloth that absorbs moisture well.
- To thoroughly remove fine dirt, wipe the housing in the direction of the pattern.
- Do not use aggressive cleaning products containing ammonia, solvents or silicone.
- Use wood-friendly ingredients such as beeswax, linseed oil and olive oil.
- Once a year, check the connections and, if necessary, tighten them so that the metal parts do not become loose and damage the wood.
A sleeping place made of pine or birch, if properly used and cared for, will be an excellent solution for any space - from a compact modern apartment to a cozy large country house. Thanks to the obvious advantages of each tree, such furniture will be the best choice in the middle and economy segment among models of natural origin.
