West Elm Predicts This Burl Wood Trend Is Making A Comeback

Known for their unique appearance and organic look, burl wood furniture pieces are growing in popularity (or so some retailers believe). This style emerged during the Art Deco era in the '20s and reached peak popularity in the '70s, and it is now being called trendy again. This material has a marble-like, swirled appearance with lots of movement and character. A huge benefit of burl wood pieces is how versatile they are; whether you live in a rustic cabin, a traditional space, or a modern home, this furniture could look like it belongs. Further, wherever they're used, these items are bound to draw attention, since they have such a distinct look. 

One retailer you could purchase burl wood furniture from is West Elm. Their items are covered in a veneer, or a thin layer of burl wood over another type of wood. They're also commercial grade, meaning that these items will last for years to come with regular use. All of West Elm's one-of-a-kind pieces, which range in price from about $400 to $2,000, are covered in kiln-dried, light-colored burl wood that's made to last.

Because burl wood has such a unique appearance, you're probably wondering what it's made out of and what creates the swirled design. Unlike typical lumber, which is cut from the trunk or branches of a tree, burl wood is actually made out of burls, or knobby growths that stick out from the trunk, roots, or branches. These growths can be created by a number of things, including unsprouted buds, fungi, diseases, insects, or injuries. All of these things put stress on the tree, which creates the interesting pattern that makes burl wood so unique.

While some may assume that this part of the tree would be less desirable, others see the beauty in the pressure of nature. Even areas of the tree that were created through damage can be harvested and remade into beautiful wood furniture pieces that can be cherished for years to come. Additionally, a huge benefit of this kind of wood is that it's typically very durable and won't easily split.

If you're looking to purchase a burl wood furniture piece from West Elm, there are a number of items you could choose. In the living room, they offer two different kinds of coffee tables: one is round while the other is rectangular. If you want to add softness to your space or avoid sharp corners because you have small children, choose the round option; but if you want to include sharp, modern angles, the rectangular shape is the better choice.

West Elm also offers a few different types of side tables, which could either be used in the living room or in the bedroom as nightstands. The rectangular option has two drawers, while the square and round types don't have any storage space. Finally, to match your nightstand, you could purchase West Elm's six-drawer dresser, a large piece that would definitely make a statement in your bedroom's design. Just like the rectangular drawer side table, this piece has small, metal knobs that allow the wood pattern to really shine.