The species you choose shapes how your furniture will look, feel, and age, here is how to pick wisely.
Walk into any furniture showroom in Kathmandu and you will hear the word "wood" used to describe everything from genuine sal to sawdust pressed into a board. Knowing the difference is the first step toward buying furniture that will still look good in twenty years.
The main species we work with
- Sal (Shorea robusta), Nepal's most common hardwood. Dense, durable, and resistant to humidity. Ideal for structural pieces and outdoor-adjacent furniture.
- Teak, Naturally oily and weather-resistant. The gold standard for doors, windows, and garden furniture. It gets better looking as it ages.
- Walnut, Rich, dark, and fine-grained. Premium choice for dining tables and bedroom furniture where visual drama is part of the brief.
- Pine, Lighter in colour and weight. More affordable, and well-suited to shelving, children's furniture, and rustic-style interiors.
When we consult with a new client, we always ask two questions: where will this piece live in the house, and how hard will it be used? A dining table in a family home with young children needs a different timber than a display cabinet in a study.
Budget plays a role too, teak and walnut command a premium, while sal offers near-equivalent durability at a lower price point for most interior uses. The right choice is always the one that balances your aesthetic, your use case, and your investment.