Buying Solid Wood Bedroom Furniture

When buying solid wood bedroom furniture you get what you pay for. The more you pay, the better the quality, although there are certain things you can look out for to ensure that you get the best possible quality and value from every dollar you spend. Here are a few tips on buying solid wood bedroom furniture with reference to two specific brands.

The two bedroom furniture collections to be reviewed are the Millennium Camilla range by Ashley and the Farnsworth collection by Broyhill - both American furniture manufacturers and both crafted from solid wood

The Camilla Range - Millennium by Ashley Furniture

In each case we shall look at the king bed, and also check out the other pieces available in the collection. Whether or not the bedroom furniture is part of a wider collection of home furniture is immaterial, since it is only the bedroom furniture we are considering here.

Crafted in brown cherry and cherry veneer, this Camilla solid wood bedroom furniture in the Millennium collection by Ashley Furniture is well finished to an attractive sheen. The case tops are finished with a pecan veneer which, together with the hardware in an antique bronze shade, offers an elegant and good-looking collection of bedroom furniture.

The king bed comprises a sleigh headboard and footboard, and a set of rails, slats and support legs. The headboard is 80 inches wide by 65 inches high by 11 inches deep with the footboard 83 x 36 x 11 inches. The rails are 8.75 inches from the floor.

The nightstands are 35H x 31W x 19D inches, with three drawers, the top one of which is felt lined for jewelry. The 55H x 45W x 20D chest has four full-width drawers and two half-width drawers at the top, the latter also being felt lined, and the dresser is the same depth, but 73 inches wide and 38 inches high. The dresser is fitted with eight half-width drawers, and comes with a beautiful mirror framed in the same dark cherry.

On the whole, this is a beautiful collection of bedroom furniture crafted in a traditional style by Ashley Furniture. Perhaps the only criticism could be that the selection is restricted, with no alternative to the sleigh bed design. It appears there is no under-bed storage which many people find essential. Apart from that, this is an excellent collection and offers a traditional style of beauty to your bedroom.

The Farnsworth Collection by Broyhill

In contrast, the Farnsworth bedroom furniture collection by Broyhill is a simple English design, not nearly as ornate as the Camilla, with square lines and finished in black. However, the collection offers an Old World charm that is completely functional with more pieces on offer than the above although again, only the sleigh bed design is offered.

The king bed sleigh headboard is at 79.75W x 56H x 8.75 in inches, slightly less than offered with the Camilla. You have the choice of a plain or storage footboard. The latter is dimensioned at 82.75W x 18H x 18D and comes with two drawers, providing the storage space that many find essential.

However, there is also ample storage offered by the chest which is 54H x 40W x 18D. The drawer arrangement is the same four bottom and two top as with the Camilla collection, but the edges are beveled giving the whole set a softer look than it would otherwise have. The top two drawers have slightly curved fronts.

The dresser is 60W x 42H x 18D with a 42 inch landscape mirror that is plainly framed in black wood. The drawer arrangement is the same eight half-width drawers. The nightstands are 30 x 30 x 18 inches, smaller than those in the above collection. Overall, in fact, the Farnsworth collection is smaller and less substantial than the Camilla range, but where it scores is in the extra pieces.

Broyhill have included a 4-drawer 46 inch media chest for your TV. To many, this is an essential item of bedroom furniture. If you want, there is also a small round pedestal table and chairs so you can either have more furniture in a larger bedroom, or take advantage of the smaller dimension of this collection for a smaller room.

Which is For You?

These two collections of solid wood bedroom furniture differ in several ways: one is in brown cherry, the other in black; one is in a traditional more ornate style while the other is plain; one offers only the basic pieces while the other offers a TV chest and table and chairs. One provides antique finish metal handles, while other has simply wooden knob pulls. Which should you choose?

In fact each of these collections, the Millennium Camilla by Ashley and the Farnsworth by Broyhill, are beautiful collections of solid wood bedroom furniture. Each person will make their choice according to their personal preferences and to their needs. However, one thing is sure: if neither of these attract you, there are plenty more to be found online and in your local furniture outlet showroom.