Why Mahogany Furniture Keeps Its Value

Mahogany is considered one of the most luxurious and beautiful woods in the world, and because of that, it tends to cost more money than other woods like oak or pine. Is it worth the higher price, though? Our answer is yes, and we're going to give you a list of reasons why.

But first, a few fun facts about mahogany. There are three species of what's referred to as "genuine" mahogany: Swietenia macrophylla (Honduran mahogany), Swietenia mahogani (West Indian/Cuban mahogany), and Swietenia humilis (Pacific Coast mahogany). Other "true" mahoganies grow in Africa, New Zealand, China, and India. Europeans first took notice of mahogany wood when people from Spain started colonizing the Americas in the 1500s. In the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, a wooden cross was made from mahogany, and Phillip II of Spain used mahogany for the stairs, doors, and window frames of the Escorial Palace, which was finished around 1584. The French were likely the first Europeans to get a hold of mahogany since they had established a colony in modern-day Haiti. The wood became available to Americans during the 18th Century. Subsequently, a lot of the furniture that was constructed during this time was made from mahogany.

Today, the wood is prized for its color, stain, and durability, and it's used to make furniture, boats, and musical instruments. There are a lot of pros to owning furniture made from mahogany, but those pros don't necessarily explain why the investment is worth it. Here are six reasons (and explanations) for why mahogany is absolutely worth a higher price than other woods.

1. Mahogany is tremendously pleasing to the eye.

Mahogany has one of the most beautiful colors and straight grains of all time. Other woods have knots and defects, but mahogany is so perfect it's almost hard to believe that it naturally grows that way. The look of mahogany is both elegant and timeless, ushering warmth into any room lucky enough to be graced with its presence; this beauty and lack of imperfections make it the most envied and sought after wood for furniture enthusiasts. Wood this beautiful is already more than worth the money, though the long life of mahogany also helps instill confidence in the investment.

2. Mahogany will last for decades.

Mahogany is durable, which means that it will last for years, maybe even generations. In the end, you may spend less on furniture altogether if you invest in mahogany furniture today. After all, pieces made from less durable wood are going to need to be replaced far more frequently than mahogany pieces, and those dollar signs can add up very quickly. When you buy mahogany furniture, that problem becomes non-existent.

3. Mahogany is rare (and highly sought after).

Genuine mahogany only grows in Central and South America, which makes it very rare. That means that you don't just get beauty or long-lasting quality when you decorate your house with mahogany furniture: you also have wood that's unique and difficult to acquire. Vintage furniture enthusiasts love owning one-of-a-kind pieces because it means they have something no one else does. The same feeling can be derived from owning a piece of rare mahogany furniture.

4. Carpenters love working with mahogany.

Mahogany is excellent to work with, which is why carpenters love it so much. Because it cooperates well, you can do a lot of amazing and intricate detailing on mahogany furniture that you may not be able to get away with on pine or oak. You give yourself and your carpenter a lot more creative leeway when you choose to choose mahogany, which ties in with the value of owning something unique to you.

5. Mahogany isn't just for your dining room, living room, or bedroom; it can go outside.

Unlike most other woods, mahogany is insect and water-resistant, which means it can be used on your back porch, deck, or patio. Just like we explained in reason #2, the durable nature of mahogany can save you time and money in the long run; you won't have to replace your rusted, worn-down patio furniture over and over again when you use mahogany instead.

6. Vintage reproductions made from mahogany are historically accurate.

Because mahogany rose in popularity in Europe and America during the 17th and 18th centuries, a lot of the antique furniture pieces we see from this period were originally built from mahogany. If you love vintage furniture reproductions, buying a piece of mahogany furniture from this time will give you a metaphorical certificate of authenticity among your peers, who know the history of furniture as well as you do.

It's clear to see that mahogany is one of the best woods in the world, and it's obvious why mahogany furniture is completely worth the investment. We hope you've learned a few things from this article, and we hope you start researching where to buy genuine mahogany furniture as soon as possible. Don't wait another day!