18th Century Woodworking: Tools, Techniques, and Furniture Styles

The 18th century, or Georgian Period (named after the five Georges that ruled England during this century), is remembered for its opulence, innovations, and revolutions.

18th century royalty like Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI displayed their wealth and power through expensive clothing, jewelry, and furnishings.

In England and the American Colonies, quality furniture was an important feature of upper class homes. Those who could afford furniture in the latest styles invested in these pieces because of their elegance and heirloom quality.

eighteenth century furnished room — An 18th century room furnished with period chairs, a tea table, and a cabinet. Via The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Woodworking and furniture making were important trades in 18th century England, France, and America. The furniture making process was completed by several specialists who apprenticed and practiced their trade for many years.

While woodworking has a long history, the 18th century saw major innovations in the quality and design of furniture. Some of the top designers and craftsmen of the 18th century will be explored as we take look at woodworking tools, techniques, and furniture styles of this fascinating time period.

18th Century Woodworking Tools & Techniques

Woodworkers of the 18th century usually started out as apprentices. Apprentice woodworkers would assist more experienced craftsmen while learning techniques.

Before the Industrial Revolution, woodworkers relied on hand tools to complete both large and small projects.

While woodworkers could have a wide range of tools in their workshops, there are a few important tools to know when studying 18th century woodworking and furniture making in particular.

The auger was one hand tool that 18th century woodworkers relied on to bore holes in wood. Holes were needed for assembly purposes as well as for hardware like drawer pulls.

woodworking augers — Sketches of historical augers, used to create holes. Charles Percy Bysshe Shelley, R. R. Lister, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Compass saws also allowed woodworkers to make holes in wood, but for different reasons. This type of saw had a narrow and pointed design that created an initial hole through the wood which was a starting point for larger designs.

Woodworkers relied on a variety of measuring tools like calipers and squares. 18th century craftsmen achieved symmetry and accuracy using these hand tools.

woodworking planes — Planes were used by woodworkers in the 18th century (and today!) to smooth and shape wood. Skiba, Justin M., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tools used for shaping wood included chisels, scorps, and planes. Chisels allowed woodworkers to carve the intricate details on furniture that we will discuss below.

woodworking chisel — Chisels were essential for the intricate carving and shaping of 18th century furniture. Ziko van Dijk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Woodworking planes shaped and smoothed wood into its final form. They were essential to shaping, fitting, and finishing furniture pieces.

Furniture Styles of the 18th Century

18th century furniture of England and the American Colonies falls into a few major styles: William and Mary, Queen Anne, Chippendale, Hepplewhite, Sheraton, Federal, and Pennsylvania Dutch.

These styles evolved from each other and overlap between styles existed. Some styles enjoyed only a decade or so of popularity, while others (like Pennsylvania Dutch) can be seen throughout the century.

The following are the most popular furniture styles of the 18th century. Woodworkers crafted pieces in these styles by hand using innovations like veneers and dovetail jointing.

William and Mary

William and Mary furniture, named for the English monarchs, is an early 18th century furniture style with a more slender look than earlier 17th century pieces.

This style is defined by its high-backed chairs, delicate legs, Dutch and Asian influences, and ball feet.

A William and Mary chair with a tall back. Via the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

An iconic William and Mary furniture piece is the highboy, or tall chest of drawers. Highboys were elevated on delicate legs and usually had some sort of veneering as decoration.

Dovetail joints allowed for this new height to chest furniture and other pieces.

William and Mary easy chair — An easy chair from the William and Mary period. Via the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

William and Mary furniture was most popular in the port cities of the Colonies but did not catch on in smaller towns. Its popularity waned in the 1720s with the introduction of the Queen Anne style.

Queen Anne

Queen Anne furniture is named for the queen who reigned England in the early 1700s. It is considered more refined than the William and Mary style.

Queen Anne furniture was most popular from the 1720s to 1750s. It was first introduced to the American Colonies through Boston.

queen anne chair — A Queen Anne chair with a violin-like back splat. Via the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Queen Anne pieces are defined by their cabriole (curved) legs, slender lines, S-curves, and carved details. Dining chairs of this style are especially recognizable thanks to their elegant violin-shaped back splats.

Highboys continued to be popular in the Queen Anne period.

Furniture of the Queen Anne style was fashioned from walnut and mahogany. In the Colonies, cherry and maple woods were also used.

Chippendale

Thomas Chippendale’s distinct furniture style emerged with his 1754 publication The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker’s Director. Chippendale worked as an apprentice woodworker and contractor before publishing this book of designs as a way to advertise his work.

Chippendale was inspired by Rococo, Gothic, and Asian design.

Chippendale chair — A chair of the Chippendale style dating to around 1775. Sean Pathasema/Birmingham Museum of Art, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

These influences can be seen in most furniture pieces. Defining features of Chippendale furniture include square and straight lines, claw and ball feet, and carved details.

There are many similarities between the Queen Anne and Chippendale styles, and the transition from one to the other took place slowly over decades.

Although similar, Chippendale’s style is more ornate than the slender and curving simplicity of Queen Anne.

chippendale tea table — A tea table in the Chippendale style with a tilting top. Via the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Specialized furniture emerged during the Chippendale period of the mid to late 1700s. The tea table was a popular specialized piece that featured a rotating and tilting table top.

Chippendale dining chairs — A pair of chairs dating to the mid 1700s, Chippendale style. Thomas Chippendale, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Louis XVI

Louis XVI furniture is named after the infamous king of France. This style is ornate, with intricate gilding and carving details. Unlike Louis XV furniture, the Louis XVI style is made distinct by its straight and tapered legs.

louis XVI table — Round table in the Louis XVI style. Notice the gilded details and delicate legs. Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Louis XVI furniture features floral and classic motifs. Most pieces were crafted from mahogany, walnut, and oak. The straight legs of chairs were often fluted.

louis xvi easy chair — An armchair created in the 1780s for king Louis XVI. Georges Jacob, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Louis XVI style was popular during his reign in the late 18th century. Woodworkers were highly specialized and regulated by guilds and the king himself to ensure the best quality possible.

Hepplewhite, Sheraton, & Federal

hepplewhite chair — A shield-backed chair in the Hepplewhite style. Via the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Hepplewhite, Sheraton, and Federal styles of the late 18th century are so closely interrelated that we will discuss them as one category. These styles include Neoclassical elements and classical motifs.

federal chest of drawers — Federal-style chest of drawers. Via the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Most furniture pieces of these styles had tapered legs, inlays, veneers, and spade feet. These styles evolved from one another between 1765 and 1800.

While there are so many similarities between the Hepplewhite, Sheraton, and Federal styles, some difference exists in specific furniture pieces.

Hepplewhite chairs usually have heart or shield shaped backs, while Sheraton chairs are more square.

Federal desk — This striking desk features the delicate legs and design elements of Federal-era furniture. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Federal style is a balanced blend of both Hepplewhite and Sheraton styles. This furniture remained popular through the early 1800s.

Pennsylvania Dutch

18th century chair — The Pennsylvania Dutch style includes simple turned and slat-backed furniture pieces. Via the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Pennsylvania Dutch furniture existed from the 17th century to the 19th century. Its popularity spanned the entire 18th century as a simple alternative to the more opulent styles discussed above.

Pennsylvania Dutch furniture was utilitarian, with simple turned arms and legs. Straight lines and ladder back details distinguish this style of furniture from others.

18th century painted furniture — One signature characteristic of Pennsylvania Dutch furniture is its painted wood. Via the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Painted details and Germanic design influences also help define the Pennsylvania Dutch style.

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18th Century Woodworking Tools & Furniture (Facts & Pics)