Sourcing furniture from China? You’ve probably realized: picking the right material is harder than picking the design.
The right material affects durability, cost, appearance, compliance, and how your customer feels about the product.
If you make the wrong call—your furniture warps, chips, cracks, or fails safety tests. I’ve seen it happen. After working with over 4,000 clients, I’ve learned one thing: material selection is not cosmetic—it’s strategic.
Choosing the right furniture material depends on your market, your customer expectations, the usage environment, and your product’s price point.
Let’s break down the 15 most common furniture materials, and which one fits your project.
Solid Wood
Solid wood is the most durable and prestigious material for furniture manufacturing.
I often recommend it to clients building high-end, long-lasting furniture collections. It’s timeless, repairable, and customers love the texture. Teak, walnut, oak, and ash are the most commonly sourced hardwoods in China.
But there’s a cost: it’s expensive, heavy, and sensitive to humidity. If you're targeting a mass market or exporting to a tropical climate, you need kiln-dried wood with moisture content under 12%.
✅ Best for: Premium dining tables, beds, executive office furniture
❌ Avoid if: Your customers expect low prices or you ship to humid environments
🔗 Learn more: FSC Certification
MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard)
MDF is the go-to material for modern, budget-friendly furniture with clean lines and smooth finishes.
It’s great for painted surfaces, CNC-cut patterns, and veneer applications. If you’re producing wardrobes or cabinets in volume, MDF offers great consistency.
But be cautious: MDF absorbs moisture quickly. We once had a client receive 1,200 units of bathroom vanities that swelled after 3 weeks—because the supplier skipped sealing.
✅ Best for: Flat-pack furniture, painted cabinets, decorative panels
❌ Avoid if: You need load-bearing strength or waterproofing
🔗 Related: EPA Formaldehyde Standards
Plywood
Plywood balances strength, flexibility, and cost better than most engineered wood.
Made from layers of veneer glued in alternating grain, plywood is strong and resists warping. I often recommend it for structural furniture like sofas, beds, and chairs.
In China, not all plywood is equal. Always ask for core samples. Some factories use “popcorn core” fillers that weaken the whole panel.
✅ Best for: Sofa frames, bed bases, cabinetry
❌ Avoid if: You need a perfect surface finish without lamination
Particleboard
If you’re targeting price-sensitive markets, particleboard is the cheapest option.
It’s made of sawdust and resin, and it’s easy to machine and finish. I’ve seen many Amazon brands use it in bedroom sets and desks.
But don’t expect strength. It chips, cracks, and breaks under heavy use—especially during shipping.
✅ Best for: Entry-level desks, dorm furniture, rental property pieces
❌ Avoid if: Moisture or long-term use is involved
Metal
Metal is a must for structural stability, minimalist style, and outdoor use.
Steel, aluminum, and iron frames are common in Chinese production. Powder-coated finishes prevent rust, and you can create slim, modern shapes without sacrificing strength.
One client of mine swapped wooden legs for aluminum in a dining table line—it cut shipping costs by 19% and returns by 72%.
✅ Best for: Office furniture, patio sets, bunk beds
❌ Avoid if: You need warm, traditional aesthetics
🔗 Reference: BIFMA Standards
Plastic
Plastic furniture is light, colorful, and easy to mass-produce—but must be used smartly.
Good for children’s furniture, outdoor cafes, or seasonal inventory. Not for load-bearing or long-term use. Always specify UV-resistant plastic for outdoor items, or they’ll fade and crack.
✅ Best for: Stackable chairs, kids’ tables, outdoor cafes
❌ Avoid if: You need high-end look or heavy use
Bamboo
Bamboo is sustainable, flexible, and growing fast in global furniture design.
It has high tensile strength and a unique, organic aesthetic. But raw bamboo is fragile—laminated bamboo boards are more stable.
✅ Best for: Eco-conscious furniture, boutique hotel decor
❌ Avoid if: You need heavy-duty load capacity
Rattan
Rattan is woven, lightweight, and perfect for relaxed interiors or tropical vibes.
Often handmade and ideal for lounge chairs, accents, or balconies. We once exported 600 rattan chairs to a Bali resort. Their lightweight nature made shipping cheaper and setup easier.
But rattan becomes brittle under sunlight or moisture. Use it indoors or in shaded spaces only.
✅ Best for: Accent chairs, tea sets, sunrooms
❌ Avoid if: Your furniture stays outdoors in harsh weather
Marble
Marble screams luxury—but it’s not for everyone.
Natural marble has unmatched texture and elegance. Engineered marble offers a similar look at lower cost. It’s ideal for tabletops and vanities, but heavy, fragile, and costly to ship.
✅ Best for: Hotel lobbies, coffee tables, vanities
❌ Avoid if: You need light, mobile, or cheap furniture
Glass
Glass furniture adds light and space to interiors, making it popular in modern and small-room design.
Tempered glass is standard for safety. We use it often in China-made coffee tables, shelving, and desks. Always polish edges and test for shatter resistance.
✅ Best for: Tabletops, cabinet doors, display units
❌ Avoid if: You’re targeting households with kids or high-traffic areas
Cotton
Cotton is breathable, soft, and natural—ideal for budget upholstery.
Clients often request it for casual seating, slipcovers, or children’s furniture. But cotton stains easily and wrinkles unless blended or treated.
✅ Best for: Family sofas, armchairs, pet-friendly pieces
❌ Avoid if: You need commercial-grade durability
Linen
Linen adds a soft, organic touch that fits minimalist and coastal decor.
It’s naturally cool and antibacterial, but wrinkles fast and isn’t ideal for high-traffic spaces. Use it where the look matters more than durability.
✅ Best for: Accent chairs, occasional seating
❌ Avoid if: It’s a daily-use piece in a busy household
Leather
Leather makes a bold statement—luxury, strength, and maturity.
Genuine leather lasts decades, while PU (faux) leather offers a similar look for less. I always advise clients to double-check what they’re actually getting—Chinese suppliers often label bonded leather as “real.”
✅ Best for: Executive chairs, statement sofas, upscale homes
❌ Avoid if: You have a tight budget or want low-maintenance upholstery
🔗 Tip: Use Greenguard-certified leather for commercial interiors
Velvet
Velvet brings color, texture, and sophistication to accent furniture.
It’s trending in eCommerce and boutique hotel markets. But it's high-maintenance and attracts lint. We recommend synthetic velvet for commercial use—it’s more durable and easier to clean.
✅ Best for: Lounge chairs, statement beds, boutique interiors
❌ Avoid if: You want low-fuss, kid-safe pieces
Acrylic
Acrylic is modern, transparent, and surprisingly durable.
Used in chairs, coffee tables, and shelving. It’s like glass, but lighter and shatter-resistant. Watch out for scratches—this isn’t a good fit for high-contact surfaces.
✅ Best for: Modern living rooms, display units
❌ Avoid if: You want long-term durability under pressure
Conclusion
Choosing furniture materials isn’t about trends—it’s about fit.
Fit for your customer. Fit for your market. Fit for your business.
Chinese 
English 