You’re probably already aware that the Amish are well-known indoor and outdoor furniture specialists, and you may even have a few pieces of Amish-crafted furniture in and around your own home. But you may not realize that Amish furniture makers can build everything from dining room chairs to barns, garages and sheds — and you may not realize that all of these pieces can come in a variety of different styles. So what exactly do you have to choose from when it comes to Amish furniture?
Mission Style
This style became pretty popular in the U.S. in the early 1900s, and is focused around straight lines and simple architectural features. This style is less ornamental than some of the other styles, but that’s precisely what draws people to it! With such a clean look, furniture made in this style can fit into any home.
Shaker Style
This style is pretty similar to the Mission style, but where the Mission style features clean angles and straight lines, the Shaker style features soft curves and arches. Nearly any type of wood can be used in this style, and the crafters always carefully pick the perfect material for the specific piece of wooden outdoor furniture they’re building.
Traditional or Heritage Style
This style is… well, pretty much everything else that doesn’t fall into the Shaker or Mission styles! Both names are commonly used to describe pieces that fall into this style, but in truth, pieces of indoor and wooden outdoor furniture belonging to this style can vary widely. In general, this style is more ornate, featuring strongly curved arches and decorative molding. The Queen Anne style is a subcategory in this group, and many crafters will say that it deserves its own category, because pieces made in this style have a distinct leg and foot design, and often feature decorative brass details.
Although these styles are often determined by region, their distinctions aren’t concrete and many furniture makers will mix and match styles. Regardless of the style you choose, Amish furniture is often made with 100 percent natural wood (or other high-quality materials), and the specific type of wood or metal used in each piece of wooden outdoor furniture is carefully chosen to ensure durability and aesthetic quality.