Rustic style never really goes out of fashion, but the good news for oak enthusiasts is that it's back in vogue for home furnishings.
Not only a robust and attractive choice for your dining set or coffee table, rustic oak furniture is also making the magazines for its full bedroom collections and cosy Cotswold kitchen ranges.
But with so much great furniture to choose from, both online and offline, how do you know what to look out for when you're buying rustic oak? Especially for first time buyers, choosing oak furniture can be a little daunting when you consider the investment you are making, both in terms of money and its longevity.
This article aims to give you a brief overview of your rustic oak furniture options, so that you are able to choose the perfect country oak for your home.
Rustic oak furniture allows you to create a delightfully cosy atmosphere in your home.
Of course, there are still different styles and designs to choose from and it's useful to know what kind of thing you're looking for.
You can go for wonderfully chunky pieces with iron fixings for a heavier old oak feel.
If you're aiming for a charismatic country feel, check out the Brooklyn Reclaimed Oak range as well as the Fiona Dark Oak collection.
Solid oak furniture such as the Santana set is a great half way point between heavy rustic oak and contemporary, featuring stunning grain and darker tones offset by contemporary chrome handles.
On the other hand, you might wish to opt for lighter oak collections like the Brooklyn Oak or Vancouver Oak ranges which offer simple, elegant style for a feel that says country cottage with a modern twist.
Before you commit to buying anything, spend some time searching online for the different rustic oak furniture options so that you can get a feel for your tastes.
Another point to take into consideration when looking at the style you want is the wood colouring.
Clearly this relates to the final character of your furniture and you can choose from pale American and Russian oaks to dark English oak, or even reclaimed oak furniture, which can offer added charisma and appeal.
You will want to buy oak furniture that fits with the room that you are buying for; darker woods may feel oppressive in a small room but look amazing in a bigger setting, while pale oak collections in the kitchen can create a lovely light and airy feel.
Naturally the finish brings out the colour and grain of the furniture and will deepen it.
Some waxes can create a fabulously warm, honey-coloured surface that you might fall for in an instant, while other furniture is coated with a light teak oil that brings oak the grain without changing the wood tone very much.
Of course, you're also going to want to take into consideration the pricing and quality of the furniture.
Rustic oak is naturally robust and offers excellent durability, but like everything else in this world, you get what you pay for.
Look for quality manufacturing with solid handles and fixings and dovetailed jointing.
Consider how much you are willing to spend and shop around both offline and in stores to get the best deal for your money.
Although oak furniture looks expensive at first, when you factor in the decades it can last beyond other furniture, you may find that it will end up costing you a lot less in the long run.
Look for oak furniture which will be easy to refinish so that you can increase its longevity and make it even more cost-effective.
The cardinal rule when it comes to buying oak is to do some research and shop around.
Know what kind of furniture style and colouring you're looking for and ask for recommendations.
Choose something that will suit your home, your tastes and your budget and you'll be enjoying it for many decades to come.