Whether building a rustic country home or upgrading a modern-style living room, live-edge furniture can elevate any space. These unique tables invite nature’s raw beauty into your home while adding a touch of rustic elegance.
Natural Appearance
Whether you are looking for the perfect statement piece to finish your living room or add a unique touch to an updated kitchen, live edge tables are an ideal option. These custom furniture pieces are prized for their natural beauty and raw, natural appearance. Each table is unique and one-of-a-kind, highlighting the characteristics of each slab of wood.
While it may seem like a new design trend, live edge tables have been around for a while (it’s not a fad, by the way). They were originally created when woodworkers would piece together raw, unfinished logs of trees with their natural edges still intact. This practical and economical woodworking style has become popular, with modern live edge tables being the latest iteration.
Quality custom live edge tables will be sealed and treated with a topcoat to prevent moisture damage, so you’ll have peace of mind knowing it will last for years. However, they are prone to warping and cracking if exposed to harsh temperatures and chemicals.
As a general rule of thumb, pairing a live edge tabletop with a heavy base is not recommended, as this can overwhelm the unique style of the table. Alternatively, you can pair the table with a lighter or more neutral-colored base that will allow the natural beauty of the live edge to shine through.
Rustic Elegance
Rustic live edge tables are not only popular in traditional homes, but they also add an organic touch to modern rooms. Unlike traditional wood furniture with smooth surfaces, live edge tables display the natural edges of the wood and often include knots and burls. These imperfections add character to the table and can be a focal point.
When choosing a live edge wood table, it’s important to consider the type of wood and how it will be finished. The stain will also affect the final look and feel of the piece. It’s best to avoid spray wood polish, as it can fill the natural grooves and pits of a live edge slab and make the surface appear gunky and old. Instead, opt for a natural cleaning solution, such as vinegar, which can effectively remove build-up residue from the grooves of a live edge table.
Another factor to remember when choosing a live-edge wood table is the number of slabs used to create the piece. Single, large slabs of live edge wood are a rarity, and it takes an exceptionally old tree to produce a slab that is more than three feet wide. As such, a live edge wood table that is comprised of multiple pieces of wood joined together is usually less expensive.
Versatility
Live edge tables are a great option for people who want to add natural wood beauty to their homes. They feature the wood’s natural edge, which can be rugged or smooth, and they feature knots, burls, and other irregularities. This gives them a unique look that can be both rustic and modern. The organic aesthetic of a live edge table can also be relaxing and calming for a room.
Unlike other types of wood cut to specific dimensions and then sanded down, live edge slabs retain their natural sizes and shape, making them one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture. These tables can be used for various purposes, including dining and coffee. In addition, they can be used for desks and mantles.
Another benefit of live edge tables is that they require minimal maintenance. While they may be prone to moisture damage (which can cause them to warp or crack), they will not do so as long as the surface is protected with a varnish, which prevents water and chemicals from coming into contact with the wood. A quality custom live-edge table will not need much more than regular wipe-downs.
The live edge style of woodwork may seem like a new design trend, but it dates back to when settlers pieced together raw, unfinished slabs of lumber to build functional furniture pieces. Today, live edge tables are a popular choice for both rustic and modern building designs that utilize the natural beauty of wood.
Customization
Unlike traditional wood tables, live edge furniture showcases the natural beauty of each unique wood slab. This raw, natural appearance attracts many buyers to this trending style. In addition, live edge tables fit well in many different design styles, including rustic, modern, and even traditional.
One of the best parts about working with reclaimed wood is that you can customize your table to meet your style preferences. It would help if you had the right equipment and knowledge to achieve a quality finish on a custom live edge table. This includes using 120, 180, and 220-grit flap wheels to sand the surface of your slab until you achieve the desired feel. Afterward, you can further accentuate the grain and figure by applying a clear-oil finish.
