As a place of rest and refuge, your bedroom needs furniture that reflects peace and security. Amish furniture that is solidly constructed can provide just that. The Amish craft their furniture by hand, employing the best techniques for making traditional furniture known today. Furniture-making techniques are passed on from generation to generation, as fathers and sons work side by side to build furniture that will endure for many lifetimes. Craftsmen use only the best woods, chosen for their superior quality and beautiful grain. When considering pieces for your bedroom, know that every genuine piece of Amish furniture is of solid wood construction, with no particle board or veneers.

Amish furniture is a big investment, but its quality will far exceed your expectations. Amish furniture should be made using the highest quality construction materials and techniques. The piece should be crafted of solid wood, and this includes solid wood backs on upright pieces such as dressers. The most common wood choices include oak, quartersawn oak, cherry, maple, hickory, and sometimes pine. The best quality hardwoods will always be kiln-dried, which assures proper moisture content. This will prevent any splitting and cracking for the life of the piece.

Whether you are looking for an entire bedroom set or a single piece, it’s important to examine the construction carefully. Keep in mind that the Amish are renowned for their handcrafted furniture, using generations-old techniques to build solid and enduring works. Be sure that pieces such as dressers, nightstands, chests of drawers, armoires, and chifferobes have drawers that will hold up under rigorous daily use. Make sure the dovetail joints holding the fronts and backs of drawer boxes together have very tight tolerances. Something to remember here is that English dovetail joints provide more storage capacity than French ones. Also remember to inspect the drawer slides to be sure they run smoothly in both directions.

Your bed will be the centerpiece of any bedroom set and thus should be crafted with solid-wood side rails and slats, which will eliminate the need for metal mattress frames. Cross slats need to be tongue-and-grooved or doweled into the side rails. This method of construction will make the bed extremely sturdy and will eliminate any swaying. For even more superior strength, look for headboards and footboards that are constructed with full mortise and tenon joinery. The most common styles for beds are Mission, Shaker, Sleigh, or Traditional. But luckily, true Amish-made furniture can be custom-ordered to fit your exact needs.

When deciding on a quality piece of heirloom Amish bedroom furniture, you also need to consider the finish. The best craftsmen will spend time sanding down the wood in several different steps. This ensures a smooth surface inside and out. Certain shops will finish each piece of furniture in a five-step process, using a top-grade catalyzed finish so strong it’ll stand up to acetone nail polish remover. The best pieces will have surfaces that are finished and sealed—from top to side to underside—which will protect your investment for a lifetime.