Wood Veneer vs. Solid Wood Furniture

How to Tell the Difference Between Solid Wood and Veneer

1. Weigh it, or lift it up from one end. If it is solid wood, the piece will feel heavy and difficult to move. If it’s veneer, it will feel lighter.

2. Feel for the grain. If you just feel a smooth surface and not the ridges and raisings of a natural grain, it is most likely veneer.

3. Look for discrepancies in the grain. If you notice that the surface of the piece is has the same grain pattern across all sides, chances are it’s veneer. If, however, you don’t see any remarkable patterns or symmetrical sides, chances are it’s solid wood.