There’s no doubt about it: plywood furniture is having a moment. Once deemed aesthetically inferior to solid wood, plywood was used primarily in caressing and other non-visible applications.
Yet, today, plywood is becoming more popular than ever for building gorgeous shelves and statement furniture.
Its layered edges and sleek natural grain give it a unique appearance; no wonder it has become a material of choice for interior designers and DIY enthusiasts looking to bring a touch of the Scandinavian style of mid-century distinction to their interiors.
But its stylish appearance isn’t the only reason that plywood has become the preferred material for many woodworking hobbyists in 2023.
Here’s a closer look at all the reasons that plywood is a great choice for building furniture.
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What exactly is plywood?
Plywood is an engineered wood product manufactured by taking fragile sheets of wood and bonding them together under high heat and pressure with an adhesive.
Each sheet of plywood will contain three or more of these thin wood veneers layered on top of each other, with an odd number total to reduce warping.
The grains of each sheet of wood are alternated, providing additional strength to the finished product.
Why is plywood used for building furniture?
It’s durable and strong
Thanks to the multiple layers of wood veneer arranged with alternating grains, plywood are strong and durable.
It’s unlikely to warp like solid wood can because of the angles to the grain. Moreover, it’s also less likely to split, which makes it ideal for furniture that will be used a lot.
It looks great
With an attractive wood grain on the surface and distinctive striped edges, plywood is becoming increasingly fashionable as a furniture building material.
From tables and chairs to shelves and cabinets, the warm and natural appearance of high-quality plywood has become a favourite of many interior designers.
It can be used in its natural state or finished with varnish to make it look sleek and smooth, depending on the style you are going for.
It’s lightweight
With a high strength-to-weight ratio, plywood is surprisingly lightweight, making it easier to work with as a solo DIY enthusiast.
Lifting, cutting, and even bending plywood is far easier on your own than if you were using solid wood. This makes it great for building high shelves.
It’s affordable
Significantly cheaper than solid wood, plywood is a cost-effective building material choice.
While it tends to be more costly than MDF or particleboard, it also is more durable and long-lasting – saving you money in the long run!
It’s better for the environment
Less wasteful than the process of manufacturing sheets of solid wood, the plywood production process is more ecologically friendly.
Birch plywood in particular is very eco-friendly because these fast-growing trees are abundant in the Northern Hemisphere and can be managed as a sustainable forest resource, supporting the natural biodiversity.
It’s uniform
Because of the manufacturing process, plywood is more consistent in thickness and quality than solid wood.
This makes it easier for DIY-ers to plan out projects and reduce waste.
It comes in many varieties
While birch plywood is a popular variety, it’s not the only type of plywood that exists. Plywood can be made from many different types of wood, including hardwoods like oak, beech, and mahogany, or softwood such as cedar, fir, and pine.
Moreover, some varieties of plywood such as marine plywood are resistant to moisture and suitable for external usage.
What types of furniture can be made using plywood?
Tables
One of the easier but nonetheless impressive types of furniture that can be built using plywood is a table.
From low, mid-century inspired coffee tables to higher dining tables, there’s really no limit on the kinds of tables you can build using plywood sheets.
Chairs
Plywood chairs are one of the most popular plywood DIY projects at the moment and for good reason.
Bent plywood chairs have taken the DIY world by storm recently, with many amateur woodworkers trying their hands at bending plywood into stunning curved chairs with great results.
Headboards
Simple but striking, plywood headboards are a quick and easy DIY project that can turn a boring bedroom into a stunning Scandi-inspired space.
You can keep it simple or add built-in shelves for extra storage.
Shelves
Custom plywood shelves are a great way to enhance your room’s appearance while adding the storage solutions you need.
From floating shelves to stackable shelving and alcove shelves, plywood’s strength and durability make it ideal for this type of furniture.
Nightstands
Plywood nightstands are another popular DIY project, allowing you to create the perfect bedside table or drawer for your needs. From minimalist floating bedside tables to more ornate options with drawers and doors, building nightstands with plywood gives you the freedom to create your perfect piece of furniture in a cost-effective and easy-to-use material.
Considering using plywood for your next DIY project?
Head over to Cworkshop for all your plywood needs. With a variety of high-grade birch plywood options and moisture-resistant marine plywood at budget-friendly prices, they can help you get started on your project without breaking the bank.
Plus, they also offer a cut-to-size service so you can get the exact sizes and shapes you need – no sewing necessary!
