So, you just bought a beautiful live edge table, and now you're wondering how to care for live edge table and keep it looking amazing for years to come. Don't worry, because caring for a live-edge table is our specialty.
With 5+ years of experience in woodworking, Flowyline will share with you the 12+ best caring knowledge for how to care for a live edge table. And just a little regular attention, your table will stay gorgeous and strong for decades. Read more!
Why Live Edge Tables Need Special Care
Live edge tables are different from regular furniture. They're made from real wood that keeps the natural edge of the tree, which means they're still "alive" in a way.
The wood breathes, expands, and contracts with the weather. We can think of it like caring for a houseplant, and that’s why live edge tables need the right environment to thrive.
More so, your live edge table is unique because no two pieces of wood are exactly alike. That beautiful natural edge and grain pattern you fell in love with? That's what we're going to protect and preserve.
Read more about slab table: Unleashing Creativity with Drip Slab Tables: A Journey from Slab to Furniture
How to Care for Live Edge Table: 10 Essential Tips to Keep it Looking Perfect
Live edge table care starts with understanding what your table needs and developing good habits. Here are the most important tips that will keep your table beautiful for decades.
1. Control Live Edge Table's Environment — The #1 Rule for Wooden Table Care
Most people don't realize that moisture is the live edge table's biggest enemy. Too much humidity makes wood swell and warp. Too little makes it crack and split.
You want to keep your home's humidity between 40 — 60%, just like what's comfortable for you. So, here is what you should do to protect your live edge table from moisture:
- During humid summer months, run a dehumidifier in the room
- In dry winter months, use a humidifier
- Keep your table away from heating vents, air conditioners, and fireplaces
- Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, which can fade and crack the wood
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Choose a stable location away from high-traffic areas
These create sudden temperature changes that make wood move and crack. If you're thinking about live edge outdoor tables or a live edge patio table, remember that outdoor conditions are much harsher. You'll need extra protection and more frequent maintenance for any live edge outdoor furniture.
2. First-Week Tips for New Live Egde Table Owners
Caring for a live edge table after purchase starts the moment it arrives in your home. Before you even use it, you should check if it needs an initial coat of finish. New tables sometimes arrive without final finishing, especially if they're custom-made.
Give your new table a week to adjust to your home's temperature and humidity before doing any major finishing work. Wood needs time to settle into its new environment.
And don’t forget to set up your table in its permanent spot right away. Moving a heavy live edge table later can be difficult and risky.
Caring for a live edge table after purchase
Credit: Flowyline
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3. Follow a Simple Daily 2-Minute Routine
Every morning, you give your live edge table a quick wipe with a soft, dry cloth. This removes dust before it builds up and keeps the wood looking fresh.
When you spill something, you need to act fast. Grab a clean cloth and blot the spill. Don't rub or scrub, just simply dab it up.
For sticky spots, you should use a cloth that is barely damp with warm water, then dry the area immediately.
We’re not allowed to use harsh cleaners, bleach, or anything with ammonia. These chemicals can strip the wood's natural oils and damage the finish. Instead, we stick to mild soap and water when you need more than just a dry cloth.
4. Keep Your Live Edge Table Finish Looking New with Proper Care
The finish on your table is a protective coat that keeps moisture and dirt from getting into the wood. How to care for the finish of live edge table top properly means understanding what type of finish you have.
Most live edge tables come with either an oil finish or a polyurethane finish:
- Wood oil finishes look more natural but need more care.
- Conversely, polyurethane finishes are tougher but can look more artificial.
Every few months, your table might look a little dull, and that's normal. In such cases, you give it a gentle rub with furniture wax or polish made for wood. Our advice is always to follow the grain of the wood when you're polishing.
More than that, if you’re applying conditioning cream, be sure to remove any excess carefully. And we highly recommend avoiding letting any substance leak into the ridges, cracks, and holes of the live edge surface, as this buildup can cause the live edge to look dirty and smell bad over time.
5. Use Smart Daily Live Edge Table Protection That Actually Works
Live edge table care means thinking ahead every single day. You should make these habits automatic for you and your family:
The four golden rules that prevent 90% of wood table problems:
- Always use coasters for drinks, whether hot or cold
- Always use placemats for meals to prevent scratches and heat damage
- Always use trivets or hot pads for hot dishes - never put a hot pot or pan directly on the wood
- For complete protection, consider a custom-cut piece of glass or a clear plastic mat if you use your table for work or crafts
Water rings are one of the most common problems with wooden tables, but they're completely preventable with these simple steps.
How to care for the finish of live edge table top
Credit: Flowyline
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6. Know When and How to Reseal Your Live Edge Table
Over time, your table's finish will wear down. You'll know it's time to reseal when water doesn't bead up on the surface anymore, or when the wood starts to look dry and dull.
How to seal a live edge table isn't something you need to do often, maybe every few years. Here's the simple process step by step:
- Step 1: Clean the table thoroughly and let it dry completely
- Step 2: Lightly sand the surface with fine sandpaper if it feels rough
- Step 3: Apply a thin coat of wood finish with a brush or cloth, and you should apply it by following the grain.
- Step 4: Let it dry according to the package directions, then apply a second thin coat.
Important: Both sides of the table need to be sealed. If you only seal the top, the bottom can absorb moisture and cause warping. Many people forget this step and end up with big problems later.
You might like: How to Make A Live Edge Table for Beginners
7. Seasonal Care Made Simple for Live Edge Table
Each season brings different challenges for your live edge table:
- Spring: Watch for increased humidity as the weather warms up
- Summer: Protect from direct sunlight and maintain cool, stable temperatures
- Fall: Do your annual deep conditioning by applying a coat of wood oil or conditioner to keep the wood healthy through the dry winter months
- Winter: This is the hardest season for wood furniture like live edge table. Indoor heating dries out the air, which can cause cracking. This is when that humidifier really pays off.
It’s necessary to avoid tough sun or humid areas because they frequently cause cracks
Credit: Flowyline Design
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9. Avoid These Common Mistakes When Protecting Wooden Table
How to protect live edge wood comes down to prevention. Most problems happen because people don't realize how sensitive wood can be.
- Never drag anything across the surface.
- Lift items when you move them.
- Don't let pets jump on the table or use it as a scratching post.
- Keep plants in saucers so water doesn't drip onto the wood.
- If you have kids, we can teach them to use coasters and placemats. Or you can make it a game because kids love having their own special placemat or coaster.
9. Know When to Call the Experts
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your live edge table needs professional attention. Call an expert if you see cracks longer than a few inches, if the table is warping or wobbling, or if you have stains that won't come out with gentle cleaning.
A good furniture restoration professional can make your table look new again. These people have tools and products that aren't available to regular consumers.
10. Take Care of Live Edge Table Legs, Too
Last but not least, table legs are probably something that everyone almost ignores or pays little attention to. However, it's a fact that the more attention we pay to the table legs, the longer they will last.
With wooden table legs, we’re equal to applying an extra layer of preservative oil and placing the table in a cool place, avoiding wet areas, in order to avoid table leg rot. That will make your table wobbly and less sturdy.
Apart from that, choosing the right size of wood screws for table legs is also important.
The more attention we pay to the legs, the longer they will last with your live edge table
Credit: Flowyline
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Why Metal Table Legs Are a Great Choice for Live Edge Tables?
More and more people are choosing metal table legs these days, and it's easy to see why. Metal legs are incredibly strong and reliable. They'll hold up your table and everything on it without wobbling or breaking.
Unlike wooden legs that can sometimes warp or crack over time, metal legs stay sturdy and look great year after year. Plus, they come in so many beautiful styles that you're sure to find ones that match your home perfectly.
Choose a protective coating for a live edge table when using it outdoors
Credit: Flowyline Design
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So, if you're thinking about getting metal table legs but aren't sure which ones to choose, don't worry — we've picked out the top 10 live edge table legs that work wonderfully for most homes.
Read more: DIY Live Edge Table With Metal Legs: A Guide
FAQs
1. How to Protect a Live Edge Wood Table?
To protect your live edge wood table, you'll need to keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Use coasters and placemats to prevent water rings, scratches, and dust regularly with a soft cloth.
We recommend applying wood oil every 2 — 5 years to maintain the finish of the indoor live edge tables, and every 1 — 2 years for outdoor live edge tables.
2. How Do You Maintain a Live Edge Dining Table?
The best way to maintain your live edge dining table is to clean spills immediately with a damp cloth, then dry the area completely. You should dust weekly with a microfiber cloth and apply wood oil or wax every 3 — 6 months to nourish the wood and protect its natural beauty.
3. How to Seal a Living Edge Table?
To seal your living edge table, you'll need to clean the wood thoroughly and let it dry completely. Then, we apply wood conditioner first and use 2 — 3 thin coats of polyurethane or natural wood oil. Please make sure you allow each coat to dry fully before applying the next one.
4. How to Preserve a Live Edge on Wood?
One of the best ways to preserve your live edge on wood is to clean it gently with a soft brush to remove debris. You should apply wood oil monthly to keep it moisturized and secure any loose bark with wood glue. We also recommend filling small cracks with wood filler to prevent further damage.
How to Care for Live Edge Table: Your Path to Long-Lasting Beauty
We'd love for you to explore more of our helpful articles on furniture care and home decorating. If you have any questions or need help choosing the perfect table legs for your home, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're always happy to help you create the beautiful living space you deserve.
The time you spend on learning how to care for live edge table will pay off with years of beauty and use. Your guests will admire it, your family will gather around it, and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you're taking excellent care of something truly special. Thank you for reading!
