The Beginner’s Furniture Material Identification Guide

Is your furniture solid wood, veneer, laminate, MDF or particleboard?

Knowing what your furniture is made from before you begin can help you choose the right preparation and refinishing method—and avoid costly damage.

This free beginner-friendly guide will help you identify common furniture materials and understand how each one should be handled.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• How to recognize solid wood

• How to identify real wood veneer

• The difference between veneer and laminate

• How to spot MDF and particleboard

• Where to look for clues on drawers, edges and damaged areas

• Which materials require gentler sanding

• Common mistakes that can permanently damage furniture

• Simple preparation recommendations for each material

This guide will help you confidently assess a piece before sanding, stripping, painting or staining it.

Ready to learn the complete refinishing process? My Furniture Refinishing 101 Guide walks you through choosing, cleaning, repairing, preparing, painting, staining, pricing and selling furniture from start to finish.

Created by Kaitlyn at Who Wooda Thought.