How to Choose Bone Inlay Furniture for Your Home: A Complete Buying Guide

Handmade Bone inlay furniture can change the look of any interior. The unique designed patterns and vibrant colors, coupled with handcrafted finish, turn any ordinary coffee table, bedside table, chest, or cabinet into something special.

However, the selection of bone inlay furniture depends on more than just picking up an attractive pattern. Size, color, design, quality, type of furniture, and compatibility with interior have to be taken into account as well.

If you are going to purchase some bone inlay furniture for your house, you might find the following tips helpful.

What Is Bone Inlay Furniture?

Bone inlay furniture involves the insertion of fragments of natural bone into a furniture construction that is wooden in nature. The fragments are set in a manner that they create designs like flowers, geometric shapes, stars, leaves, and even traditional designs.

Once the inlay process is done, the surface is finished and polished to get a decorative finish.

Bone inlay furniture comes in different colors and designs. Some of the colors used like white, black, blue, grey, navy, and neutrals.
Examples of furniture where you will see the application of bone inlay include:

• Coffee tables
• Side tables
• Bedside tables
• Console tables
• Chests of drawers
• Sideboards
• Cabinets
• Dressers
• Desks
• Mirrors
• Decorative boxes

1. Start With the Right Furniture Type

Before choosing a pattern or color, decide what type of furniture you need.

A large living room may need a statement coffee table, while a bedroom may work better with a pair of matching bone inlay bedside tables.

Bone Inlay Coffee Tables

A bone inlay coffee table can become the main decorative piece in a living room. Round tables work well in open seating areas, while rectangular tables are useful with larger sofas.

Choose a size that leaves enough walking space around the table.

Bone Inlay Bedside Tables

Bedside tables are a simple way to add inlay furniture to a bedroom. You can use one on each side of the bed for a balanced look.

A small floral or geometric pattern can work well when the rest of the bedroom already has several decorative elements.

Bone Inlay Consoles

A console table can be placed in an entrance, hallway, living room, or behind a sofa.

A black or white bone inlay console with a mirror above it can create a strong entrance arrangement without taking up too much floor space.

Bone Inlay Cabinets and Chests

If you need storage as well as decoration, consider a bone inlay cabinet, chest of drawers, or sideboard.

These pieces are useful for bedrooms, living rooms, dining areas, and entryways.

2. Measure Your Space Before Ordering Custom Bone Inlay Furniture

One of the major things to do when buying bone inlay furniture is to check its dimensions.

Something may look great in a picture, but it can turn out to be either too large or too small for the room.

Measure before buying:

• Floor space available
• Width of the doors and hallways
• Height of the surrounding furniture
• Space between different furniture pieces
• Wall space available
• Elevator or stairway availability if necessary

For instance, if you are going to purchase a coffee table, ensure that there is some comfortable space between the table and your sofa. It will make your room more comfortable and prevent the furniture from overcrowding the room.

When purchasing a console table, you should measure your wall precisely, taking into account its depth, especially if the table will be placed in a hallway.

In case of ordering custom bone inlay furniture, provide exact measurements to the manufacturer before its production.

3. Choose a Matching Color With Your Interior

Bone inlay furniture comes in various colors, hence you should not be limited to the traditional white color alone.

Choosing the appropriate color requires considering your existing furniture, floor color, wall color, curtains, and other decorative items.

White Bone Inlay Furniture

White bone inlay furniture is appropriate for modern and bright spaces. The furniture adds elegance to your space.

It goes well with:

• Beige
• Cream
• Grey
• Natural Wood
• Gold

Black Bone Inlay Furniture

Black bone inlay furniture stands out visually.

The black console, cabinet, or coffee table goes well with modern interiors featuring neutral walls and metallic decoration.

Blue Bone Inlay Furniture

Blue is an excellent color for bedrooms, living rooms, and decorative furniture for storage.

Navy blue, royal blue, and light blue colors give distinct looks depending on the existing colors around.

Grey Bone Inlay Furniture

Grey bone inlay furniture gives a more subtle look.

It blends easily with modern sofas, neutral walls, and marble floors.

4. Select a Pattern That Matches Your Style

The pattern is one of the most eye-catching part of bone inlay furniture.

Some of the patterns are very detailed, while some others are quite simple.

Floral patterns are suitable for traditional and luxurious settings, while geometric patterns are great for modern rooms. Star shapes, diamonds, and line patterns could also create a contemporary look.

Consider the existing patterns in your room.

If you have very bold patterns on your curtain, carpets, wallpaper, or upholstery, a more modest design of the furniture will balance out the interior.

If you have plain walls and plain furniture in your room, an elaborate bone inlay item can create some visual interest.

If you are looking for more design inspiration, you can also explore our guide to 10 Luxury Bone Inlay Furniture Ideas for Modern Homes.

5. Check the Quality of the Inlay Work

It is important to pay attention to craftsmanship while purchasing bone inlaid furniture.

The inlays must follow a uniform pattern on the surface. There must not be any roughness, and the joints between the pieces must appear to be clean.

Some of the important factors that one can notice in product images include:

• Consistency in the pattern
• Edges
• Smooth finish
• Alignment
• Drawer and door making
• Finishing of corners
• Polishing of the surface
• Symmetry

Product images close-ups are especially useful while purchasing furniture online.

One may also ask the manufacturer for additional photographs and videos.

6. Handmade vs Mass-Produced Bone Inlay Furniture

All furniture with bone inlay is not made using the same process.

In handmade furniture, there are separate processes involved for preparing the wood structure, cutting and positioning the inlay, filling the surface, sanding, polishing, and finishing.

Customization is possible through this process, as well as making different sizes.

Furniture that is mass-produced may have pre-designed and pre-specified sizes.

7. Consider Custom Bone Inlay Furniture

Customized furniture can prove helpful when standard measurements don’t suit your place.

For instance,

• Narrow console for hallway
• Coffee table for large living room
• A certain height for bedside table
• Certain size for the cabinet
• Set of two furniture
• A certain color
• Customized pattern

At the time of production of the furniture, ensure that the final measurements, color, pattern, hardware, and finishings are verified.

When it comes to customized furniture production of larger orders, it proves beneficial to approve the design/specification prior to production.

If you need a particular size, color, or pattern, you can contact Vinayak Handicraft to discuss a custom bone inlay furniture requirement.

8. Consider Functionality along with Look

Furniture made out of luxury materials also has to be functional.

If you are buying a storage cabinet, pay attention to the number and size of compartments.

When buying a chest of drawers, assess whether there is sufficient storage space.

In the case of a coffee table, think about its height and surface.

When buying a bedside table, take into consideration whether it has enough place for books, lamps, and other personal items.

A pretty but inconvenient piece can soon turn into an uncomfortable object.

9. Check the Construction of the Inlay Furniture

Apart from the inlay, the product consists of a furniture body as well.

Ask what kind of wood/material was used to make the body and pay attention to the following characteristics:

• Construction of the frame
• Movement of the drawers
• Door hinges
• Handles
• Legs and supports
• Back
• Finishing of the surface

In case of purchasing a large cabinet, sideboard, or chest, ask for the photos of the interior as well.

10. Online Purchase of Bone Inlay Furniture

While purchasing furniture online allows you access to multiple designs, you should get sufficient information about it before making any purchases.

Check for a product page offering you:

• Furniture size
• Materials
• Pictures of products
• Colors
• Customization choices
• Shipping details
• Return or replacement policy
• Contact details

When there is any confusion, make contact with the seller before making the purchase.

For instance, if there is any doubt regarding the shade of blue, ask for pictures or videos in daylight.

In case of expensive furniture, you can also ask for packaging and shipping information.

11. Understanding the Shipping and Delivery

The bone inlay furniture requires packing as the furniture might have delicate surfaces on them.

In case you are making the purchase from abroad, make sure to enquire from the seller about:

• Packing arrangements
• Expected time for delivery
• Shipping costs
• Costs related to customs or imports
• Delivery at your address
• Insurance, if offered
• Consequences if the furniture is delivered in a damaged condition

For large furniture items, verify whether the delivery will be done inside your building or just till the nearest accessible place.

12. Think about Maintenance

Bone inlay furniture will serve you for many years if treated and used properly.

Dry the surface and clean it using a soft cloth. Do not use harsh chemicals or any abrasive cleaning material.

Do not allow any water to stay on the surface for an extended period of time.

Additionally, it is better to prevent your furniture from getting too much moisture, exposure to direct sun, and extreme temperature changes.

A soft dry or damp cloth should be enough for daily cleaning.

13. Match Bone Inlay Furniture with Other Materials

It is not necessary to furnish the whole room with inlay furniture.

Just one or two pieces that complement each other well may be used along with the following materials:

• Wood
• Marble
• Glass
• Brass
• Gold-colored metal
• Linen
• Velvet
• Neutral material

For instance, a blue bone inlay coffee table may look nice with a neutral colored sofa and brass lamps.

A white bone inlay console table could be combined with a big mirror and some decoration pieces.

A black bone inlay cabinet could complement light walls and wooden flooring.

14. Ask These Questions Before You Buy

Prior to making an order, you should ask from the seller or manufacturer:
• What are the exact measurements?
• Of what material is the furniture frame made?
• Is it handmade or made on a machine?
• Can the furniture be customized?

Bone Inlay Furniture for Various Rooms

Living Room

A bone inlay coffee table, side table, console or cabinet will decorate the living room.

The size should match your furniture and the color will go well with the existing interior.

Bedroom

Bone inlay bedside tables, chests, dressers and cabinets are great choices for bedrooms.

Matching bedside tables will give your room an even look; however, you may use one decorative chest as a focal point.

Dining Room

A bone inlay sideboard and storage cabinet will be very practical as well as decorative.

Entryway

Bone inlay console will be a practical addition for the entrance.

Decorate it with a mirror above the furniture and make your accessories minimalistic to highlight the furniture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can bone inlay furniture suit modern homes?

Yes. Bone inlay furniture is perfect for modern homes since they come in simple geometric and complicated floral patterns. Choosing the appropriate color and size can enable you to incorporate them into your home interior.

Is it possible to make custom bone inlay furniture?

There are many manufacturers that can manufacture custom bone inlay furniture. The ability to manufacture in different sizes, colors, patterns, and furniture designs depends on the manufacturer.

Is bone inlay furniture durable?

Durability depends on the construction quality, type of materials, manufacturing workmanship and maintenance practices of the furniture.

What colors do bone inlay furniture come in?

Commonly available colors include white, black, blue, navy blue, grey, and many others depending on the manufacturer and pattern.

Is it possible to order bone inlay furniture online?

Yes. Bone inlay furniture can be ordered online, even custom made ones. Before making your purchase, you have to verify the size, material, pictures, shipping costs, and returns policies.

How do I clean my bone inlay furniture?

Clean your furniture with a soft cloth, using no aggressive substances or abrasives. Water should not be left to stand on it. You can refer to the care directions provided by the manufacturer for that piece of furniture.

Is it possible to order bone inlay furniture in custom sizes?

Yes, many manufacturers offer such a possibility.

Select Bone Inlay Furniture Suitable for Your Home

Bone inlay furniture selection process will become much more comfortable once you pay attention not only to the pattern but also to the entire piece of furniture.

First, assess the available space, determine what purpose should be fulfilled by the furniture and then select a color and a pattern suitable for the interior of your room.

In case of a custom made piece of furniture, talk with the manufacturer about the size, design, color, finishing, and shipping before making it.

Vinayak Handicraft offers bone inlay furniture in different designs, colors, and sizes suitable for residential and commercial interiors. The possibility of customizing sizes and designs can be considered according to your requests and shipping is possible even for international orders.

Explore our collection of Bone Inlay Furniture that includes coffee tables, consoles, cabinets, bedside tables, chests, and other handmade inlay furniture pieces.