Although Amish communities have been producing their own furniture for centuries, Amish sheds and furniture became popular in commercial markets in the 1920s. A booming interest in American folk art led to widespread interest in Amish furniture during the “Roaring 20s,” an interest which continues to this day.
Question: What is Amish Furniture?
Answer: Amish furniture is exactly what it sounds like: furniture manufactured by Amish workers, usually in Pennsylvania, Ohio, or Indiana, but also in other states throughout the U.S.
Question: I’ve also heard of Amish sheds and garages, is that the same thing?
Answer: Yes.
In addition to furniture, many manufacturers and re-sellers also offer Amish-built garages and sheds, typically used as small storage units for tools and farm equipment.
Fun Fact: Despite a reputation for primitive living and anachronistic lifestyles, the Amish are known for a style of community barn raising wherein an entire barn could be built in less than 10 hours.
Question: What’s the difference between Amish items and regular goods?
Answer: Amish furniture is known for being 100% handmade. And unlike mass-produced goods, Amish sheds and furniture are built entirely with wood materials, rather than with particle board or cheap laminates. Amish goods are most commonly known for their intricate wooden designs, as well as their durability.
The most common material used in Amish furniture is red oak, which is used in half of all goods.
Question: What type of furniture is produced in Amish workshops?
Answer: According to a recent survey, 80% make household furniture, while just 36% build office or contract furniture, too.
Although most people only know Amish communities from television (or driving past their horse-drawn buggies on the road), many Americans already own Amish-built goods without realizing it.
In fact, Amish sheds, furniture, and gazebos even make it to Europe, where 21 million people own sheds for additional storage in the U.K. alone (although not all are Amish-built).
