How Much Does Solid Wood Furniture Cost? An Honest Breakdown from the Manufacturer

One of the most common questions we hear in our showrooms is:
“Why does solid wood furniture cost more?” or “How much should solid wood furniture actually cost?”

As a manufacturer of solid wood furniture, we see this question from the inside every single day. The short answer is: it depends — but not in a vague or frustrating way. The price of solid wood furniture is directly tied to materials, design complexity, craftsmanship, and longevity.

Let’s break it down clearly so you can make an informed decision.

Typical Price Ranges for Solid Wood Furniture

Solid wood furniture spans a wide range of prices depending on the piece and how it’s built. In our showrooms, customers typically shop for bedroom sets, dining table & chair sets, TV stands, coffee tables, end tables, office desks, bookcases, along with custom designed furniture pieces.

More simple, clean-lined styles tend to be more affordable, while more detailed designs or custom-built pieces will cost more due to the additional labour involved.

How Wood Species Affects Cost

The type of wood you choose plays a big role in pricing. We commonly build with:

• Wormy Maple – most affordable
  

• Oak & Maple – mid-range
  

• ¼ Cut Oak & Cherry – premium
  

Higher-end woods cost more not only because of the raw material, but also because they require more careful selection and finishing to highlight their grain and character.

Why Design Matters More Than Most People Realize

Two pieces can look similar at first glance but be priced very differently because of how they’re built.

For example:

• Our Havelock and Lakeview styles feature simpler designs with cut-out feet — making them more budget-friendly.
  

• Our Mansfield style includes a mitered “waterfall” edge and fully built solid feet attached to the cabinet base — a much more labour-intensive process.
  

That extra craftsmanship directly affects cost, but it also affects durability and long-term value.

Custom Furniture: Why It Costs More (and Why It’s Still Worth It)

Custom furniture will always cost more than standard sizing — but because we manufacture everything ourselves, customization is far more accessible than people expect.

Adjusting dimensions, finishes, or layouts is built directly into our programming system. There’s no middleman, no third-party markup — just you working directly with the people who build your furniture.

Why Our Pricing Is Often More Competitive Than Big-Box Stores

Many furniture stores buy finished products, mark them up, and sell them at retail prices.

We don’t do that.

Because we are the manufacturer:

• There’s no middleman
  

• Pricing reflects real materials and labour
  

• Customers get factory-direct value
  

This allows us to offer solid wood furniture that’s competitively priced — especially when compared to mass-produced “wood-look” furniture.

The Hidden Quality Features That Affect Price

Some of the most important cost factors aren’t immediately visible:

• Blum soft-close drawer hardware with lifetime warranty
  

• ½-inch plywood drawer bottoms, inserted into the drawer — not tacked on
  

• Water-based stain and water-based polyurethane top coat for a durable, eco-friendly finish
  

These features cost more upfront, but they prevent common issues like sagging drawers, peeling finishes, and hardware failure.

A Real Customer Story: Choosing Value Over Visuals

One customer came in unsure of what they wanted and initially gravitated toward our Bourbon collection,while being aware that this is one of more luxury styles all they could see was the visual of what they liked. To even go further with adding customizations to build exactly what they dreamed of having.  A fully custom bedroom suite tailored in every way. After pricing it out, they went home and began comparing prices elsewhere. Now it became more about the cost vs what they actually needed.

At first glance, other options looked appealing. Of course it would seeing it displayed visually appealing with a low under budget price — but once they looked deeper, they realized drawer hardware wasn’t soft-close, drawer bottoms were stapled on, and materials/construction didn’t compare. 

They believed they had to sacrifice quality to fit their budget. This is NOT true! We reached back out to the customer to let them know that as the manufacturer, we have numerous styles that can compare to all budgets. We just have to look deeper - you never have to sacrifice quality. It's our core values that keep us in business for over 36+ years. Upon the customers' return to our store, they opened up and we discussed budgets and worked with us to find a solution that fit their price point without sacrificing quality. By choosing the Havelock style, adjusting the wood species and colour, they created a fully custom-looking bedroom suite at a more comfortable price point — one they’ll enjoy for generations, not replace in a few years.

Cost Per Year: The Perspective Most Shoppers Miss

Solid wood furniture costs more upfront — but it lasts a lifetime.

We regularly hear from customers 10–15 years later telling us their furniture still looks brand new. We’ve also had customers regret choosing cheaper MDF furniture, only to replace it years later and wish they had invested in solid wood from the start.

When you spread the cost over decades instead of years, solid wood furniture often ends up costing less per year than cheaper alternatives.

Common Misconceptions About “Affordable Wood Furniture”

Lower-priced “wood” furniture is often veneer over MDF or particle board, finished with solvent-based products that don’t age as well, or built with basic, non-soft-close drawer hardware.

It may look good at first — but performance over time tells a very different story.

When Solid Wood Furniture Might Not Be the Right Fit

We believe in honest advice. Solid wood furniture may not be ideal if you move frequently or you need lightweight furniture that’s easy to transport

Solid wood is heavy — because it’s built to last.

Final Thoughts: What You’re Really Paying For

When you invest in solid wood furniture, you’re paying for:

• Real materials
  

• Skilled craftsmanship
  

• Long-term durability
  

• Furniture that doesn’t need replacing
  

And when you buy directly from the manufacturer, you’re getting that value without unnecessary markup.

If you’re ever unsure where your budget fits, we’re always happy to help you explore options that balance price, quality, and design — without compromising what matters most.