Amish Furniture – Rhode Island

PA Dutch woodcraft in the Ocean State

A guide to Amish furniture in Rhode Island There are no Rhode Island Amish communities, but the Ocean State does have an Amish furniture presence.  

Amish-made home furnishings are available at at least two in-state locations, within easy range of Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and other RI cities.

Carriage Lane Furniture
546 Putnam Pike
Greenville, RI 02828-3015
(401) 349-4313
carriagelanefurniture.com
Oak, cherry, and maple Amish furniture, also primitive and pine furniture. Furniture for the bedroom, dining room, office, kitchen, living room and more. Pieces include cedar chests, kitchen islands, bookcases, filing cabinets, occasional pieces, benches, desks, hutches, beds, dining tables and chairs, end tables, dressers, and more. Furniture styles include Mission, Shaker, Urban, Estate, Transitional, Country and more.  Also carries Mennonite furniture pieces.

Eclexions
619 Putnam Pike
Greenville, RI 02828-2137
(401) 949-3597
eclexionsdesign.com
Carries tin Amish-made barn stars made by Lancaster County Amish.  Tin used from salvage from roofs of barn and buildings.

To find Amish furniture dealers outside Rhode Island, check the Amish Furniture guide main directory, with extensive listings of Amish wood craftsmen and furniture retailers across the US and Canada.

Note to Rhode Island residents: Please be sure to check opening hours of any Amish furniture businesses listed in this guide before traveling long distances.  While we strive to keep this directory up-to-date, business locations and schedules can change.  Not responsible for changes to information. 

Plain craftsmanship

Amish furniture has enjoyed much popularity in recent years.  Amish-made home furnishings appeal to furniture buyers seeking quality-made pieces.  Amish furniture has a good reputation, due in fact to its typically high level of craftsmanship, use of solid hardwoods, and good overall value.

Amish furniture is often described as “heirloom-quality”, reflecting the idea that Amish-crafted pieces are built to last a long time.  While Amish are not perfect, and neither is their furniture, Amish-made furnishings are generally very well-regarded, one factor which has led to demand for Amish furniture and the growth of the Amish woodworking industry in general.

Small shops, family values

Over the past few decades Amish have gradually migrated from the small dairy farms traditionally associated with Plain people, to an economy based around cottage industry and craftsmanship.  Amish have opened up large numbers of small shops, catering both to community needs and the non-Amish public.

Amish family furniture shops produce home furnishings for residents of Rhode Island and beyond

Chief among these businesses are the wood shops, ranging from those Amish who process raw materials into lumber to the custom furniture craftsman who due specialized work for homeowners living in upscale zip codes.  Amish–via the small dairy farm–have traditionally based their economy around a labor-intensive, family-oriented model, and the small furniture shop holds true to a degree to these concepts.

Amish woodcraft characteristics

Amish furniture is typically made of solid hardwood, though numerous softwood pieces are also produced.  It’s common that Amish furniture is advertised as not using veneer, particle board, or pressed wood.  Woods commonly used in Amish furniture pieces include oak, maple, quartersawn white oak, walnut, cherry, elm, poplar, and numerous others.  Pine furniture as well as hickory furniture are also common (including the ever-popular hickory rocker).  Amish wood craftsman are also versatile in the styles of furniture they create, ranging from Mission to Shaker to Queen Anne to Arts and Crafts to Contemporary styles.

Buying Amish furniture in Rhode Island

Where to buy Amish furniture in the Ocean State?  Since no Amish live in Rhode Island, those wishing to buy direct from an Amish manufacturer will need to travel out-of-state, for instance to New York or Pennsylvania, both with thriving Amish populations and established Amish furniture makers.  Visiting an Amish wood shop gives the buyer a chance to meet the owner and even craftsmen in some cases.  However, many Amish sell their products via Amish furniture retailers, often non-Amish businesses located closer to urban areas and in convenient range of larger population centers.  In addition to Amish furniture stores in Rhode Island, there are also retailers in neighboring states.  Rhode Islanders can also purchase Amish furniture online, with many internet dealers providing shipping to RI.