How to Properly Care for Your Barrel Furniture

Whiskey barrel furniture and cabinets continue to be a popular style choice for many homeowners. Besides dining rooms, barrel tables are great additions to the family room, man cave, finished basement or at a cabin. Explore our care guide to preserve your barrel furniture and keep it looking good for many years.

The care and maintenance required with barrel furniture will vary depending on the original construction. When purchasing a new piece, ask lots of questions. Make sure you understand the type of finish used and any barrel care that will be required.

Indoor Barrel Furniture

At Dutch Craft Furniture, we partner with Amish craftsmen who purchase barrels direct from the distillery. These barrels are solid quartersawn white oak wood, used for only one batch of whiskey. We offer whiskey barrels engraved with the distillery logo, perfect for showcasing your favorite drink. Other options include plain barrels, which may personalized with your family name or company logo.

Local artisans then build a solid hardwood top, available in several standard sizes. The wood top features a cutout to display the barrel, complete with a glass insert. Most customers choose a quartersawn white oak tabletop to match the barrel. Other hardwood options include Hickory, Red and White Oak, Cherry, Maple or Elm wood.

Complete the table with a custom welded metal footrail. The height of the barrel makes a standard, 36" counter height dining set. Accompanying bar stools should have an approximate 24" seat height for seating comfort. We keep a variety of swivel bar chairs and stools available to match the barrel table.

All barrels will continue to dry out as they age. Our crafters attach every barrel stave to the metal bands, keeping the barrel strong and sturdy.

Our standard finish for barrel furniture is a catalyzed conversion varnish. Simply put, the finish includes a hardening substance, known as a catalyst. It has enough elasticity to accommodate wood expansion and contraction without cracking or peeling. This finish is waterproof and heat resistant to 220 degrees, making it a wonderful option on a tabletop.

When used inside, in a controlled environment, maintenance on this finish is minimal. Simply keep it clean using a mild dish soap or Murphy's Oil Soap. The hardness of a catalyzed conversion varnish eliminates the need for regular conditioning with oil or polishes.

Using Barrel Furniture Outside

Another popular place for barrel furniture is outdoors. Many people add a whiskey barrel table to a covered patio on the deck. The style is a perfect complement to relaxed, outdoor living.

We do not recommend using our standard finish for furniture used outside. The changes in temperature and humidity, as well as exposure to UV rays from the sun will break down the finish. The wood planks in a table top outside may warp with time. You can request a marine grade finish for wood tabletops that will be used outside in covered patio areas.

Some woodworkers may choose an oil finish for wine barrel furniture. Oil is absorbed into the wood and helps to repel insects. Tung oil, linseed oil, and teak oil are all common options. Ensure you understand the oil recommended by your manufacturer and how often you need to reapply it.

We do not offer any oil finishes for our furniture. However, you may purchase any piece unfinished. This allows you to select an oil or use an outdoor finish of your choice.

Ask a team member about other options if you plan to set the furniture outside. Poly wood tabletops are available in a variety of colors and maintenance free for outside living. Another durable outdoor tabletop option is a concrete top. We can recommend craftsmen in our area for specialty outdoor tabletops.

What should you do if your wood barrel table has already been outside and showing distress? Solid wood can usually be repaired and restored. Our team is happy to guide you in the process.

Now that you are familiar with the common options and maintenance, you can choose a barrel kitchen table with confidence. Start today and add a fun, rustic focal point to your dining room or basement. Your family and friends will enjoy gathering around it for dinner or drinks for many years to come.