Before you plunk down your hard-earned cash for furniture, be certain that you’re truly made for each other. A century ago, all furniture was made of wood. Solid wood. And you bought it from a furniture maker in your town. Now, it’s hard to tell what chairs, tables and chests are made of. Plastics mimic wood and wood veneers are so well crafted they look like solid wood. Most often, you come into contact with the surface of your furniture — it’s what you look at, touch and use. To make certain you’re spending your money well, keep in mind how you intend to use a piece of furniture when you consider different surface materials.