If you've been thinking about adding a new bookshelf to your kids' furniture set, but don't want to spend a ton of money on particle board furniture that isn't very durable, then you might want to consider looking at unfinished bookcases. Take a look at some of the many benefits that you can expect to receive if you decide to buy unfinished bookcases. Turning Unfinished Kids Furniture into a Family Project Not only is buying unfinished kids furniture a great way to save some money, it's a great way of getting a higher quality piece of furniture. Even more important is the opportunity to make it a good way to get your kids invested in taking care of their furniture. When they take the time to pick out the exact piece they want, and then invest the time in preparing and finishing their own bookcase, it will help instil in them a sense of ownership and pride since they spent their own time and effort in finishing the piece. If they are old enough there is also the opportunity for them to learn a little bit about the process of applying a finish or paint to a piece of furniture, how to care for and clean for a newly finished piece of furniture, and cleaning up after a project. Types of Materials As you and your kids investigate what type of bookcase they would be most interested in, be sure to keep in mind the final color that you will use to match the decor of the room. If you are planning on painting the piece, or if you will be using a lighter color of stain, then you may want to go with unfinished pine furniture. Keep in mind pine is a softer wood and will be more prone to scrapes and nicks. If you want to really bring out the grain of the wood, then unfinished oak furniture may be a better way to go. Oak is a hardwood so it is very durable. It is definitely possible to find other types of wood as well, so take your time and do a little research to find the right piece for your application. Shopping for the Best Deals As you're shopping for the best discount unfinished furniture to suit your needs, be sure to keep the following in mind: *Is the merchant reputable? Check for BBB or other online accreditation, or seek user reviews on independent sites. *Does the furniture come with a warranty? *Does the furniture come assembled or will it require some assembly before you can apply a finish? You'll be surprised at what a great experience you'll have with your kids and unfinished bookcases. The memories will last your and their lifetimes.