Dry winter air is the biggest threat to fine furniture in Canada. Here is how to protect solid wood, veneer and leather from October to spring.
The short answer: keep indoor humidity between 40% and 55%, keep wood and leather pieces about a metre away from heat sources, dust rather than polish, and avoid sudden changes in temperature. Most winter damage to fine furniture in Canada comes from dry air, not from everyday use.
Every October, furnaces switch on across Ontario and the air inside our homes starts to change. Cold outdoor air holds very little moisture, and once it is heated indoors the relative humidity can drop well below 30% unless something puts moisture back. Solid wood, natural veneer and leather all react to that change. They are natural materials, and they behave like it.
The good news is that a few simple habits, started now, will carry your pieces through to spring in the condition they arrived in.
Why does wood furniture crack or move in winter?
Wood never stops exchanging moisture with the air around it. When the air is humid, it absorbs a little and swells slightly. When the air is dry, it releases moisture and shrinks across the grain. In a Canadian winter, that shrinking can show up as:
- Fine hairline checks on solid wood tops, often near the ends of a board
- Small gaps at joints or between boards
- Veneer edges that feel slightly raised
- Drawers and doors that suddenly fit differently than they did in summer
Leather follows a similar logic. As the air dries, the hide loses some of its natural moisture and can feel stiffer, especially at the points that work hardest: seat fronts, arm tops and cushion edges.
None of this means a piece is faulty. It means it is real wood and real hide. But keeping the movement small is what keeps a piece looking right for decades.
What humidity level is best for wood and leather furniture?
We recommend keeping indoor humidity between 40% and 55% year-round. That range is comfortable for people, kind to wood and veneer, and keeps leather supple.
A few practical steps:
- Measure it. An inexpensive digital hygrometer from any hardware store will tell you where your rooms actually sit. Many homes are far drier in January than their owners expect.
- Add moisture gradually. A whole-home humidifier on the furnace is the most even solution. A room humidifier works too, as long as it is not pointed at furniture.
- Watch your windows. On the coldest nights, very high indoor humidity can cause condensation on glass. If you see it, ease the humidity down slightly. The goal is steady, not saturated.
Where should you place wood and leather furniture in winter?
Placement matters as much as humidity, because heat sources create small pockets of very dry air.
- Keep about a metre from heat. Floor vents, radiators, baseboard heaters and fireplaces all dry out whatever sits closest to them. A sideboard parked over a floor register will move far more than one across the room.
- Mind the low winter sun. In winter the sun sits lower and reaches deeper into the room, especially through south-facing windows. Direct sunlight can permanently change the tone of wood and lacquer and fade leather. Sheers or a slight change of position solve most of it.
- Don't block airflow. Leaving a small gap between a piece and an exterior wall helps it stay at the same temperature as the rest of the room.
How do you care for leather furniture in dry weather?
- Dust weekly with a soft, dry cloth.
- Blot spills immediately. For water-based spills, wipe gently with a damp cloth and let the leather air-dry.
- For greasy marks, absorb what you can, then clean with a damp cloth and a little neutral soap.
- Never dry leather with a hair dryer or near a heater. Direct heat is the fastest way to crack it.
- If you use a leather conditioner, choose one made for your type of leather and test it on a hidden area first. When in doubt, ask us which product suits your piece.
What about lacquer, stone and veneer during the holidays?
Winter is also hosting season, and dining tables and coffee tables take the most wear between November and January.
- Natural stone: wine, citrus and vinegar are acidic and can etch marble permanently. Use coasters and placemats, blot spills right away, and never use acidic cleaners.
- Lacquer: clean with a soft, dry cloth, or a damp one followed immediately by a dry one. Keep hot dishes off the surface.
- Natural wood veneer: protect it from hot, wet and sharp objects, and wipe up water straight away. You can read more about the material in our article on natural wood veneer.
What should you avoid?
- Wax or polish, unless it is specifically recommended for your piece
- Solvents, alcohol, acetone or abrasive cleaners on any finish
- Dragging furniture across floors. Lift it, even for a short distance
- Moving a piece from a cold garage or storage unit straight into a warm room and putting it straight into use. Let it reach room temperature slowly first
- Sanding or trying to "fix" a hairline check yourself
A note on new pieces arriving in winter
Every Fazani piece is made to order in Brazil, where the climate is warm and humid. When a solid wood table or a walnut sideboard arrives in a Canadian home in January, it goes through a period of settling as it adjusts to much drier air. Small tone differences between parts of a new piece tend to even out with time and consistent light. Keeping humidity in the recommended range during the first winter is the single most helpful thing you can do for a new piece.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for a solid wood table to develop a small crack in winter?
Fine hairline checks can appear when indoor air is very dry, and they often narrow again as humidity returns in spring. Bring your humidity into the 40–55% range and keep the table away from heat. If a crack widens or a joint loosens, contact us rather than repairing it yourself.
Should I put a humidifier next to my wood furniture?
No. Place the humidifier in the room, but not aimed at or right beside furniture. Direct mist can mark finishes and cause uneven swelling.
Can I use olive oil or coconut oil on leather furniture?
We don't recommend it. Household oils can darken leather unevenly and leave a residue. Use a product made for leather, tested on a hidden spot first.
How often should I clean wood furniture in winter?
A weekly dusting with a soft, dry cloth is enough for most pieces. Dust is mildly abrasive, so regular light dusting protects the finish better than occasional heavy cleaning.
Keep your pieces looking the way they did on day one
For full instructions by material, including fabric, leather, wood, lacquer, metal, glass and natural stone, see our Product Care guide. If you have a question about a specific piece, or you'd like to see our finishes in person, you're welcome at our showroom in Vaughan, just north of Toronto.