10 Best Wood Types in India for Furniture (2025 Guide)

Furniture is one of the inevitable elements of a home, here are the best wood types for you to choose.  
 Whether it be modern or traditional, it’s the furniture that brings out the flavor unique to your home.  
 The different types of wood in India are legendary for the quality they add to the furniture. 
 
Though the styles and structures of furniture have transformed over time, wood types or timber remains the favorite among all building materials. The handmade wooden furniture’s endurance and high artistic value are renowned throughout the world.  
 
Wooden furniture has always remained a definite element throughout the ever changing interior design trends for homes. 

Furniture is an essential component of any contemporary home. Over time, it has transformed from a mere accessory to a practical item that also enhances the aesthetic appeal of a residence. The various wood types available in India are renowned for the exceptional quality they bring to furniture. 

 In the past, carpenters crafted furniture from different kinds of wood without any processing or modifications. Solid wood remains a popular choice for furniture in India due to its durability and significant artistic value, which are among the benefits of using wood.  

Wood is categorized into two types—hardwood and softwood—based on their density and strength. Do you know which type of wood is best for creating durable and attractive furniture? Are you familiar with the differences in wood types suitable for doors versus furniture? If not, this guide will assist you in selecting the appropriate wood type before investing in furniture, decorative items, crafts, and handicrafts to adorn your home. 

Listed below are the wood types used to make furniture and decorative pieces with their Scientific Names: 

Listed below are the wood types used to make furniture and decorative pieces:  

 Teak wood Types(Tectona grandis):

Teak wood is highly fire-resistant wood types and are durable, making it ideal for furniture production.  It is also one of the most expensive woods in India. After polishing, it looks beautiful and is resistant to white ants and dry rots. It does not shrink much and does not corrode metal fastenings. Teak wood is found in central and southern India. 

Advantages of Teak Wood Types:- 

• Aesthetic Appeal: Teak furniture has an appealing straight-grain design.  In comparison to furniture manufactured of plywood or particle board, it is smooth to the touch and polishes to a deep brown hue. 

• Teak wood furniture may survive for many years, with some surviving for over a century.  In addition, water does not harm teak wood when it is moved. 

• Resistant to rot and decay: Because of its high density, teak wood furniture lasts a long time.  Good wood furniture should last for a long period. 

• Teak’s strong tensile strength and tight grain make it weatherproof and durable.  It is utilized in the production of outdoor furniture and watercraft.  It is also used for interior finishing, indoor flooring, and countertop fabrication. 

Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) 

It is also known as ‘Sheesham’ or ‘Indian Rosewood’. Dalbergia latifolia, sometimes known as rosewood, is a strong and densely packed hardwood.  It retains its shape and comes in big proportions, making it ideal for decorative carvings and cabinetry.  It is also known as ‘Sheesham’ or ‘Indian Rosewood’.  It’s found in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa. 

Advantages of Rosewood Types: 

• Hard and Tough: They have great crushing and bending strengths, which provide exceptional stability to the furniture carved from them.  Rosewood is regarded as the most desirable of the several timbers available in the nation. 

• Attractive Wood Grain: The lovely grain look has inspired the construction of several musical instruments and ornamental things. 

Various uses: 

• Rosewood is a common hardwood used in the construction of furniture and cabinets.  Many mathematical equipment, like as rulers, and musical instruments, such as violins, are carved from rosewood due to its attractive look. 

• Rosewood is utilized for kitchen and bedroom cabinets, dining sets, musical instruments, and sculptures because to its strength and beauty. 

• Rosewood in India normally costs between Rs 1,500 and Rs 6000 per cubic foot. It is also known as ‘Sheesham’ or ‘Indian Rosewood’. 

• Dalbergia latifolia, sometimes known as rosewood, is a strong and densely packed hardwood.  It retains its shape and comes in big proportions, making it ideal for decorative carvings and cabinetry.  It is also known as ‘Sheesham’ or ‘Indian Rosewood’.  It’s found in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa. 

Satin Wood (Chloroxylon Swietenia) 

Satinwood, or Chloroxylon swietenia, is exceptionally resilient and enduring.  The high-gloss polish renders it quite appealing.  It is located in central and southern India.  It is resilient and long-lasting.  The high shine polish renders it quite appealing.  It is located in central and southern India. 

Benefits of Satinwood: 

•   Low maintenance: Satinwood has a beautiful gloss that hides minor faults.   It is a fantastic choice for flooring since it requires little daily care.   This wood is mostly used for flooring, as opposed to other types of wood. 

•   Minimal Maintenance: It requires occasional polishing but not daily care.   The polished surfaces keep their charm over time. 

•   Durability: It is strong and may obtain the desired look or finish with a suitable polish.   Satinwood is used in the manufacture of decorative goods and furnishings. 

• The typical cost of Satinwood in India ranges from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,500 per cubic foot. 

Sal wood types, also known as Shorea robusta  

The states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh are prime locations for the cultivation of Sal Wood, also known as Shorea robusta. As a result of its tensile strength and durability, it is consistently selected for use in the production of flooring and musical instruments.

Sal wood types has the following advantages:  

• Due to the fact that it is the type of timber that is the most durable, it is frequently used in the construction of wooden frames, wooden beams, and wooden furniture.  

• In addition to being immune to decay, it is also resistant to the attack of insects, white ants, and fungi.  

• Strength: Due to its substantial strength, it is an excellent option for giving both support and strength. For the construction of doors, piles, and wooden frames, sal wood is utilized. Moreover, it may be utilized in the production of smaller pieces of furniture.  

• When measured in cubic feet, the price of salwood in India ranges from around Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,500 on average.  

Sissolt or Shisham’ or ‘Tali’ (Dalbergia Sisoo) 

In certain regions of the country, SissoIt (Dalbergia sissoo) is referred to as ‘Shisham’ and ‘Tali’.  It is both durable and effortless to season.  It absorbs the luxurious polish.  It is discovered in Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Orissa. 

Benefits of Sisoo wood: 

• Durability: Sisoo is both durable and robust. 

• Sisoo is a wood species that is particularly adept at absorbing polish, resulting in a high-quality luster on the furniture and flooring. 

• Attractive appearance: Sisoo furniture or flooring is a valuable investment for your home due to its attractive appearance. 

• It is capable of being molded to create decorative furniture.  It is employed in the production of sports merchandise and railway supports. 

Marandi or White Cedar (Melia Azederach) 

White Cedar timber, also known as Marandi Wood (Melia Azederach), is resistant to termites and degradation.  It is capable of being molded to create wooden accessories.  It is primarily imported from Malaysia and is lighter than other varieties of wood. It is resistant to termites and deterioration.   It may be shaped into wooden items.   It is largely sourced from Malaysia and is lighter than other types of wood. 

  Benefits of Marandi Wood: 

•   It is resistant to insects, termites, and deterioration. 

•   Texture: It is consistent, delicate, and lightweight. 

•   Marandi is the most visually beautiful of the several wood types and requires little maintenance. 

• Marandi wood is used to make wooden accessories such as shoe racks, chests, drawers, trunks, and other ornamental pieces.  

• The typical price of White Cedarwood in India ranges from Rs 900 to Rs 1,400 per cubic foot. 

Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) 

Mahagony is even resilient underwater and takes on a rich color after polishing.  It’s found in Bengal, Assam, and Kerala. 

Advantages of mahogany: 

• Glossy surface: Its pores absorb paint so well that it produces an attractive glossy surface, making it an excellent choice for furniture construction. 

• Durability: It does not degrade underwater.  Very useful for dwellings, particularly wooden cabins located near bodies of water like lakes and rivers. 

• It is the best wood, thus it may be readily molded. 

• Mahogany is used to produce cabinets, furniture, and beautiful patterns for art. 

• The typical price of mahogany wood in India ranges from Rs 850 to Rs 2,500 per cubic foot, depending on the sub-variety. 

Morus alba wood types, the mulberry tree  

Floors, intricate furniture, and decorative items may be easily crafted from mulberry wood, also known as Morus alba, which has a crisp finish and is easy to carve. Carving it into flooring, elaborate furniture, or decorative items is a breeze, and it leaves a clean finish. 

Some Benefits of Mulberry:-  

• Durability: It is both strong and stretchy.  

• Due of its aesthetically pleasing characteristics, it produces furniture with a clean surface. Compared to other types of wood, its color range is rather broad, allowing for a wide variety of acceptable finishes.  

• Can be shaped with relative ease: This material is ideal for crafting both decorative and practical furniture, including cabinets and drawers.  

• You may use mulberry wood to create fence posts, turned items, and even little pieces of furniture.  

Deodar (Cedrus deodara) 

Deodar, scientifically known as Cedrus deodara, is an excellent construction material because to its sturdiness, resistance to rot, tight grain, and ability to absorb deep polish for a satisfying finish. Its native regions are Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. 

Decodar Benefits:-  

• Resilient: This wood is strong, solid, and will endure a long time.  

• The resistance of deodar against rot caused by insects and water means that it may be stored for a longer period of time.  

• Absorbs High Polish: Its variable degree of color absorption makes it a desirable material for the creation of elaborate furniture and ornaments.  

• Its original use was in the construction of ancient religious buildings and landscapes. Carriages, beds, cargo crates, and even furniture may be built from it.  

• In India, a cubic foot of deodar wood can cost anything from Rs 550 to Rs 2500.  

Jackwood (Artocarpus heterophyllous) 

Jackwood is small, crumbly, and simple to shape. Its native states include Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. 

The benefits of using Jackwood: 

• It has a nice sheen since it is even-grained. 
• Simple to shape and carve into a variety of furniture and home goods. 
• Wood is a popular material for creating musical instruments and other visually pleasing items due to its inherent beauty. 
• Many common household items, including doors, cabinets, and musical instruments, are crafted from jackwood. 
• Jackwood costs between 1,200 and 2,900 Indian rupees per cubic foot on average.

Summing Up: 

Ultimately, the choice of wood greatly impacts the durability, visual attractiveness, and general excellence of furniture.  India provides a wide variety of timber possibilities, from the classic beauty of rosewood and teak to the distinctive qualities of mulberry and jackwood.  Homeowners may make educated selections about furniture and ornamental items by familiarizing themselves with the characteristics and advantages of each species of wood, as described in this book.  Whether you value long-term use, elaborate carvings, or a particular finish, choosing the perfect wood may make your home a reflection of your unique taste.  With the perfect selection, your furniture may showcase the artistry of the craftspeople who made it as well as the exquisite variety of woods found in India. 

FAQs:

Q. For patio sets, what kinds of wood are ideal? 

Ans. Teak, acacia, cedar, and eucalyptus are some of the best hardwoods for outdoor furniture. 

Q. How can I keep my outdoor furniture in pristine condition? 

Ans. Protect wooden outdoor furniture using a water-or oil-based wood sealant.  These sealants prevent the wood from being damaged by environmental factors like dampness and sunshine. 

Q. For outdoor furniture, what kind of wood is best? 

Ans. The finest materials for outdoor furniture include teak, ipe, redwood, acacia, and cedar. 

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