Handcrafted Furniture vs. MDF

Someone asked me the other day why most of the new furniture being offered today was so inexpensive. At first, all I could think to say was that it had to be inexpensive just so people would feel compelled to buy it! I guess that’s a bit cynical, but there seems to be a thread of truth in it. After all, why would anyone buy a piece of furniture that you can’t even burn without a hazmat suit?

Today’s furniture is, for the most part, made of what is called “MDF” or Medium Density Fiberboard. Its basically ground up dust reconstituted into a shape with a bit of color added. Although that may not sound like the type of new purchase you will want to invite your mother-in-law over to see so you can brag and show off your refined sense of taste, it could prove to be advantageous. For example, when the drawer face falls off because you slammed it shut while trying to hide the bon bons from your 4 year old, you simply go online and order the replacement. Providing, of course, that the style is still in vogue, or even in production, you can have that shiny piece delivered right to your door and as long as it arrives without any crate rub or a loose leg you won’t have to send it back.

And then I remembered what my neighbor paid for that brown hunk of MDF he proudly placed in front of the couch, where no matter how one tried, you could see it from almost everywhere in the house. As I recall, it caused him to wince at the mention of the price and it cost me an honest moment with my hapless neighbor!