Which Is the Best Wood for Furniture in Pakistan?

This detailed guide explores the best woods available in Pakistan, from the robust and locally sourced Sheesham to the luxurious imported Teak, helping you make an informed choice for your home.

Key Takeaways

• Sheesham (Indian Rosewood): Most popular wood in Pakistan; durable, termite-resistant, great for indoor furniture and carvings; mid-range price.
• Deodar (Himalayan Cedar): Aromatic, pest-resistant softwood; ideal for wardrobes and storage; good durability at a mid-range price.
• Kikar (Acacia): Tough, affordable hardwood; great for heavy-use or outdoor furniture (with treatment); highly durable.
• Walnut (Akhrot): Premium local hardwood with stunning grain; best for luxury furniture and fine carving; high-end price.
• Teak (Imported): Highly water-resistant and long-lasting; perfect for outdoor and bathroom furniture; very high-end.
• Engineered Woods (MDF, Lasani): Budget-friendly, modern alternatives; smooth finish but lower durability than solid wood.
• Choosing the Right Wood: Balance aesthetics, usage needs, durability, and budget. Sheesham is the most versatile option for most homes.

The Kings of Pakistani Furniture: Locally Sourced Hardwoods

These woods are the most popular and widely used in Pakistan, celebrated for their durability and availability.

Sheesham (Indian Rosewood): The All-Rounder

Sheesham, scientifically known as Dalbergia sissoo, is arguably the most popular furniture wood in Pakistan, and for good reason. It is a hardwood native to the subcontinent, making it readily available and relatively affordable.

• Appearance: Sheesham boasts a rich, golden to deep reddish-brown hue with a distinctive, interlocking grain that creates beautiful and unique patterns. This inherent beauty is often enhanced with a clear polish to showcase its natural character.
• Durability and Strength: It is a dense and heavy wood, highly resistant to termites and decay, ensuring that your furniture will last for generations. While it is a very durable wood, it is not as water-resistant as Teak, making it more suitable for indoor furniture.
• Best For: Sheesham’s strength and workability make it ideal for a wide range of furniture, including sturdy bed frames, dining tables, cabinets, and intricately carved pieces. The skilled artisans of Chiniot are particularly famous for their exquisite Sheesham carvings.
• Price: Mid-range. It offers an excellent balance of quality and affordability.

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar): The Aromatic Protector

Deodar, or Cedrus deodara, is a softwood native to the Himalayan regions of Pakistan. Its unique properties make it a prized material for specific applications.

• Appearance: Deodar has a light, yellowish-brown color with a straight and uniform grain. Its most distinguishing feature is its pleasant, aromatic scent, which also acts as a natural insect repellent.
• Durability and Strength: While classified as a softwood, Deodar is surprisingly durable and strong. Its natural oils make it highly resistant to rot, decay, and insect attacks, particularly termites.
• Best For: Due to its pest-repellent qualities, Deodar is an excellent choice for wardrobes, chests of drawers, and other storage furniture. It is also a popular choice for door and window frames.
• Price: Mid-range, often comparable to Sheesham.

Kikar (Acacia): The Resilient Workhorse

Kikar (aka Vachellia nilotica), a member of the Acacia family, is a dense and tough hardwood found across Pakistan. It is a highly resilient wood, often used for more functional and heavy-duty furniture.

• Appearance: The heartwood of Kikar is a reddish-brown, often with darker streaks, while the sapwood is a yellowish-white. It has a coarse and often interlocked grain.
• Durability and Strength: Kikar is renowned for its durability and toughness. It is resistant to wear and tear, making it a long-lasting option.
• Best For: Its robustness makes it suitable for bed frames, sofa sets, and even outdoor furniture, provided it is properly treated and sealed to protect it from the elements.
• Price: Generally more affordable than Sheesham and Deodar, making it a budget-friendly choice for solid wood furniture.

The Premium Selection: High-End and Imported Woods

For those seeking unparalleled luxury and are willing to invest more, these woods offer exceptional beauty and quality.

Walnut (Akhrot): The Craftsman’s Choice

Walnut wood, sourced from the northern regions of Pakistan and neighboring areas, is a premium hardwood celebrated for its stunning appearance and excellent workability.

• Appearance: Walnut is prized for its rich, dark brown color and beautiful, often straight but sometimes wavy or curly grain patterns. The figuring in walnut wood can be truly exceptional, making each piece of furniture a unique work of art.
• Durability and Strength: It is a strong, stable, and durable wood, though not as heavy as Sheesham. It holds its shape well over time.
• Best For: Walnut’s fine texture and smooth finish make it ideal for high-end furniture, intricate carvings, and veneers. It is often used for statement pieces like dining tables, headboards, and decorative cabinets.
• Price: High-end. The price reflects its superior quality and aesthetic appeal.

Teak: The Undisputed King of Durability

Teak is not native to Pakistan and is mostly imported, making it one of the most expensive and sought-after furniture woods in the country.

• Appearance: Teak has a beautiful golden-brown color that matures to a rich, silvery-grey patina over time if left untreated. It has a straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture.
• Durability and Strength: Teak’s biggest selling point is its exceptional durability. It is naturally rich in oils that make it highly resistant to water, rot, and insects. This makes it the best choice for outdoor and bathroom furniture. In a direct comparison with Sheesham, Teak is the more durable and water-resistant option.
• Best For: Outdoor furniture (garden chairs, tables), bathroom vanities, and high-end indoor furniture where longevity is the primary concern.
• Price: Very High-end. Its price is a reflection of its import costs and superior natural properties.

Other Notable Woods

While the above are the most prominent, a few other woods are also used in the Pakistani furniture market:

• Chir Pine (aka Pinus roxburghii): A softwood found in the northern regions, it is a more economical option, often used for lighter furniture and interior finishing. It is not as durable as the hardwoods.
• Imported Woods (Oak, Beech, Ash): These are sometimes available in the high-end market, often used for modern and contemporary furniture designs. Their availability can be limited, and they come at a premium price.

The Rise of Engineered Wood

It is also important to note the growing popularity of engineered woods like Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF) and Lasani wood. These are more affordable alternatives to solid wood and are often used for modern, mass-produced furniture, especially for wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, and office furniture. While they offer a smooth and uniform finish, they are not as durable or long-lasting as solid wood.

Making the Right Choice: A Summary

Wood	Durability	Appearance	Best For	Price Range
Sheesham	High	Golden to reddish-brown, distinct grain	All types of indoor furniture, carvings	Mid-Range
Deodar	High (pest-resistant)	Light yellowish-brown, straight grain	Wardrobes, chests, storage	Mid-Range
Kikar (Acacia)	Very High	Reddish-brown with coarse grain	Heavy-duty furniture, outdoor (if treated)	Affordable
Walnut	High	Rich dark brown, beautiful grain	High-end furniture, intricate carvings	High-End
Teak	Exceptional (water-resistant)	Golden-brown, straight grain	Outdoor furniture, high-end indoor	Very High-End

Ultimately, the best wood for your furniture depends on your budget, aesthetic preferences, and the intended use of the piece. For a blend of beauty, durability, and value, Sheesham remains the top contender for most Pakistani households. If your priority is pest resistance for storage, Deodar is an excellent choice. For those with a higher budget seeking unmatched elegance, Walnut and Teak offer a level of luxury that is hard to surpass.