Two very common finishing techniques in furniture construction, overlays and inlays have vastly different effects on the finished product, but both add desirable qualities to furniture.
An overlay is simply a covering that is appliquéd onto or veneered over the original or unfinished surface of furniture. (Reference our posts on appliqués or veneers for more information). An inlay is when materials are placed into the surface of another so that the finished surface is level, but apparently different from the original product.
Applications of overlays and inlays can be seen in many types of furniture including the two pictured below.
Overlays are a great way for furniture manufacturers to create affordable furniture solutions that are both attractive and structurally sound. Take the Maple Sonoma Headboard by Prepac for example. It practically incorporates of a bookshelf (with anywhere from 2-6 compartments, depending upon the size of your bed) along with the ability to tailor a product that integrates seamlessly into your bedroom’s design scheme; all for a starting price of $130.
This is possible because overlays of different colors (up to five in this case) and wood grains are marginally less expensive than solid hardwoods.
There’s good news for the Weekend Warriors among you, self-adhesive furniture overlays and other veneers are readily available for any re-finishing project you may have planned.
Inlays, on the other hand, create an aesthetically appealing outcome by blending two or more materials. The Lakeview Bar Table by Hillsdale incorporates genuine slate inlays in the top of the bar as well as the bottom shelf.
As you can see, the use of overlays and inlays are limitless and are as varied as the types of furniture that exist.