Hardwood vs. Softwood

Despite what you might think, this has nothing to do with how hard the wood actually is. It’s a botanical classification. Hardwoods come from deciduous trees (oak, maple, walnut, cherry) and softwoods from conifers (pine, cedar, fir). For furniture and cabinetry, hardwood is almost always the right call — it takes joinery better, holds fasteners tighter, and lasts longer.