The Energy of Real Wood
Why Real Wood—and Especially Reclaimed Wood—Brings Something Deeper to Your Home
By Workshop Detroit
Walk into any space filled with natural wood, and you feel it. It’s subtle, maybe even hard to describe, but it’s real. The room feels warmer, more grounded. Whether it’s the smooth grain of a dining table made from solid oak or the weathered texture of reclaimed wood furniture, it has a presence that goes beyond form and function. At Workshop Detroit, we’ve always believed in this quiet power—because wood doesn’t just look good. It feels good, too.
In this post, we’re diving deep into the benefits of using real wood—and especially reclaimed wood—in your furniture. From its natural energy to potential health benefits and environmental impact, the materials we bring into our spaces can shape how we feel inside them. And when it comes to wood, there’s no substitute for the real thing.
Corner Detail of the Ellis Dining Table
Real Wood Has Real Energy
Let’s start with something intuitive: wood is alive. Even after it's been harvested and shaped, it carries the essence of the tree it came from. Unlike synthetic materials, which are chemically produced and lifeless, real wood holds onto its natural structure. This means it continues to interact with the world around it—absorbing and releasing moisture, adjusting to temperature shifts, and yes, even affecting the energy of the room.
Many people talk about the concept of biophilia, our innate human connection to nature. It’s the idea that we thrive when we’re surrounded by natural materials, textures, and patterns. Wood, especially when left raw or minimally finished, retains its organic qualities: the grain, the knots, the tiny imperfections that tell its story. Being around wood taps into that primal connection, calming us and making us feel more at home.
Some holistic design philosophies, like feng shui and wabi-sabi, go further and suggest that wood brings “yang energy”—growth, warmth, and upward movement. It’s associated with vitality, renewal, and fresh beginnings. Incorporating wood into your home, especially in large pieces like dining tables or bed frames, brings this energy front and center.
Lumber reclaimed from deconstructed Detroit buildings
Reclaimed Wood: History, Character, and Soul
While all real wood has a grounding presence, reclaimed wood goes a step further. It’s not just beautiful—it’s storied. Every nail hole, saw mark, and weather-worn surface carries decades of use and memory. It’s wood that’s already lived a life—whether it came from a Detroit house or commercial building. And when we build with it, we’re not just making furniture. We’re continuing its legacy.
Reclaimed wood has a certain soulfulness that new materials can’t replicate. It’s more than just rustic charm—it’s authenticity. This wood has already moved through time, weathered storms, expanded and contracted through seasons. It’s stable, durable, and rich with character. And each Workshop Detroit table or bench made with reclaimed lumber is inherently one-of-a-kind.
Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about giving new life to old materials. It connects us to the past while building something for the future—a sustainable, thoughtful approach that’s good for both our homes and the planet.
Grand Urban Farmhouse dining table and bench set
Health Benefits: More Than Just a Feeling
You might be surprised to learn that the presence of wood in interior spaces isn’t just emotionally grounding—it could also have measurable effects on our health and well-being. Several studies have begun to explore how natural materials, particularly wood, can affect mood, stress, and even immune response.
1. Lower Stress Levels
A study conducted in Japan found that touching wood can significantly reduce stress levels compared to touching synthetic materials like plastic or composites. The warm, soft feel of wood was shown to lower blood pressure and calm the nervous system—essentially helping us to feel safe and supported.
2. Improved Air Quality
Solid wood furniture (especially when finished with low-VOC or natural oils, doesn’t off-gas harmful chemicals the way many synthetic materials do. That means cleaner indoor air, which is particularly important in bedrooms, dining spaces, and children’s rooms.
3. A Natural Antimicrobial Surface
Wood also has natural antimicrobial properties. Certain species—like oak, pine, and cedar—can resist bacteria and mold more effectively than plastic or laminate. That makes wood a smart and hygienic choice for dining tables, countertops, and high-touch furniture pieces.
4. A Boost in Mental Health
Researchers in Norway and Austria have studied the psychological benefits of wood in interior design and found that it has similar positive effects as spending time outdoors. Natural wood elements in the home have been linked to increased focus, improved mood, and even a greater sense of connection—both to nature and to others.
Grand Boulevard Console Table
Wood Furniture Anchors a Room—and a Lifestyle
There’s a reason why real wood tables often become the heart of a home. They’re where meals happen, where conversations unfold, where stories are shared. They don’t just fill a room—they anchor it.
When you sit at a reclaimed wood table, you're not just sitting at a surface. You’re sitting at a piece of history. And over time, that table will collect its own history—scratches from family dinners, patina from wine glasses, memories etched into its surface. Unlike mass-produced furniture, real wood furniture doesn’t get tossed out when trends change. It ages with you, grows with your family, and often gets passed down through generations.
At Workshop Detroit, we build with that in mind. Every joint, every finish, every slab of wood is chosen not just for its look, but for how it feels—how it can shape the energy of a space and bring balance to your everyday life.
Sustainability: A Better Way to Build
Choosing wood furniture—especially reclaimed wood—isn’t just a stylistic choice. It’s an environmental one.
Reclaimed wood reduces the need for logging and deforestation. It diverts usable material from landfills and gives it new purpose. And because it’s already been through years (or decades) of seasoning, reclaimed wood is more stable and less likely to warp or crack—making it a smart, long-lasting investment.
We’re proud to work with local suppliers who share our values of sustainability and craftsmanship. Many of our pieces at Workshop Detroit are built from wood salvaged from historic Detroit buildings. In a way, each piece tells a local story—celebrating Detroit’s past while building its future.
Ambassador Dining Table
The Workshop Detroit Approach
When you bring home a table, bench, or bed from Workshop Detroit, you’re not just buying furniture. You’re investing in something that’s designed to last, built with intention, and full of life. Our pieces are handcrafted using time-honored joinery and made from solid wood reclaimed and sourced from Detroit and Michigan.
We believe that furniture should do more than just fill space. It should shape how that space feels. It should invite you to slow down, to gather, to breathe. And it should carry with it the energy of the materials it came from.
That’s why we’ll always choose real wood over veneer, solid joinery over shortcuts, and prioritize reclaimed materials. Because we believe in the energy of wood. And we think you’ll feel it, too.
Ellis Credenza
Final Thoughts: Bringing Wood Into Your Life
Whether you’re furnishing a new home or looking to bring warmth into an existing space, consider what natural materials can do—not just for your aesthetic, but for your well-being. A real wood table can become a centerpiece of connection. A reclaimed wood bench can offer more than seating—it can offer a story. And a handmade bed frame can transform your bedroom into a restful sanctuary.
At Workshop Detroit, we’re here to help you bring more beauty, balance, and intention into your home—one handcrafted piece at a time.
Ready to feel the energy of wood for yourself?
Explore our collections of solid wood and reclaimed wood furniture - dining tables, coffee tables, consoles, bed frames and so much more or reach out to start a custom project that speaks to your space—and your soul.