Forget about finding creative ways to hack cheap, flat-packed furniture. The solution to getting the perfect dining table, free-standing wardrobe, or kitchen island stools is to buy only natural wood furniture.

Not only is solid natural wood furniture longer-lasting, more sustainable, and arguably more beautiful than its mass-manufactured counterparts, but you can customize it to your dimensions and decor preferences.

And the slightly elevated price tag reflects the higher quality.

There’s a reason why all the antique furniture you see is made of real wood. It’s such a durable material that it can literally last centuries, given the proper care and conditions. And all that means is a wax and polish now and then.

In many cases, families pass down prized natural solid wood furniture pieces from generation to generation. Hutches, rocking chairs, side tables—all imprinted with the wear and tear of everyday life, yet they still stand strong.

Unlike cheap furniture mass-manufactured from engineered wood or wood-look plastic, real wood furniture can be repaired.

If a wardrobe door gets scratched, it can be sanded back and re-varnished or re-painted. If a leg snaps off a cabinet, it can be replaced.

Whether you’re looking for a new bedroom set or choosing between a hutch and a china cabinet, you can be sure any real wood piece you buy is one-of-a-kind. That’s because of the nature of wood itself.

Even if you purchase the exact style of furniture from the same maker, the wood has unique properties that set it apart from any other item.