Brooklyn Oak Storage Cube, Octuple (eight)

When furniture is described as solid oak furniture, it means that all components are made throughout using oak.  This doesn't necessarily mean however that large expanses such as tops or sides are made from a single oak plank that is perhaps 3ft wide or larger.  Not only would it be extremely difficult (and expensive) to find such large trees, but a single board of this size would undergo significant shrinkage and warping - especially in modern, centrally-heated homes. The large panels of solid oak furniture are usually made from narrower planks glued together.  This is both cheaper and less likely to warp in different environments.  Sometimes manufacturers use manufactured board for large, thick, panels - such as the centres of table tops - which is covered with oak veneers of up to an eighth of an inch thick.  This provides even better stability under a wide range of temperatures, making the table more pratical for everyday use.

Furniture described simply as oak furniture may not necessarily use solid oak sections throughout and may instead use, for example, non-oak panelling to cabinet backs and drawer bases.  This does not mean it is poorly made furniture or that it is any less attractive - it simply costs less to produce.  It is perhaps rather like the difference between choosing lower cost underwear or the most expensive silk - the difference is undetectable to all but the closest of friends.

Our Small Storage page has items where are ideal for containing toys, magazines, papers and the host of other items that need to be kept out of sight.They are ideal for containing toys, magazines, papers and the host of other items that need to be kept out of sight.