What are the Two Main Styles of Amish Furniture?

Amish furniture has been a staple in many households since the early 1900s. With its beautiful simplicity and solid craftsmanship, this type of furniture is long-lasting and timeless. There are two main styles of Amish furniture: Mission and Shaker. Each class has a unique history and distinctive characteristics. Choosing a type for your home can be difficult if you do not know what to look for. Keep reading to learn how to identify these two main styles of Amish Furniture!

Mission Amish Furniture

One of the two main Amish furniture styles is Amish mission furniture. This style emerged in the late nineteenth century with a chair made by A.J. Forbes. A mission-style chair, simple in its design, was inspired by the Spanish missions in colonial California. The style became popular in the early 1900s with the Arts & Crafts movement in the United States, which sought to leave behind the overly elaborate types of the Victorian era.

Mission Amish furniture is simple, sturdy, and heavy. Mission furniture is typically made from oak wood and utilizes a darker stain to emphasize the sturdiness of the pieces. These pieces feature some ornamentation, unlike other styles. One of the unique features of the mission styles is the usage of parallel slats which give the appearance of strength and uniformity.

This style of Amish furniture focuses on the appearance of strength and craftsmanship. Though all Amish furniture is crafted with solid wood, the mission style has a heaviness that is not present in the other primary types of Amish furniture. The Rustic Elite Mission TV Stand is an excellent example of the Mission style with its heavy appearance and parallel lines.

Shaker Amish Furniture

The other primary style of Amish furniture is called Shaker Amish furniture. In the 1700s, the Shakers moved to America to establish their religious group. They heavily focused on simplicity in life which can be seen in their furniture styles. Shaker-style furniture gained popularity in the nineteenth century, with the most famous piece being a woven chair.

Shaker Amish furniture can be identified by its minimalistic design and clean curves. Round wooden knobs and tapered legs are accessible identifiers for this style. The Sherwood Brown Maple Kitchen Chair elegantly displays the tapered legs standard in this style of Amish furniture. The tapered style of the legs and armrests keeps the furniture lightweight yet sturdy. Shaker furniture is traditionally made from maple, pine, or cherry to give the pieces a delicate appearance. Shaker furniture is designed to be functional yet beautiful. This style fits seamlessly with the other furniture pieces in your home and can help brighten up your living spaces.

Which One is Better?

Both of these styles of Amish furniture are a perfect mix of subtlety and functionality. The mission style is bolder and heavier while still maintaining its simplicity. The Shaker style is more lightweight and airy while sturdy and long-lasting. Depending on your preference, either type (or both!) can make beautiful additions to your home.

Look no further if you are in the market for heirloom quality furniture. E-Amish Furniture carries many Amish furniture pieces in both Shaker and Mission styles. With close relationships with Amish builders in Ohio and Indiana, you know you are getting the best quality for your money. Browse our selection of Amish furniture today!