what does mission style furniture look like

Mission Style Furniture: A Visual Guide

By Christopher TaylorApril 23, 2026

When you think of mission style furniture, you might envision pieces that are robust, functional, and exude a sense of rustic charm. This style, popularized in the late 19th century, is deeply rooted in the Arts and Crafts movement and draws inspiration from the simple, sturdy furniture made by early American settlers. But what exactly does mission style furniture look like?

Mission style furniture is characterized by its clean, straightforward lines, minimal ornamentation, and a focus on functionality. It's a style that celebrates the natural beauty of wood and the craftsmanship that goes into creating each piece. Let's delve into the key features of mission style furniture and explore some of its iconic pieces.

Distinctive Features of Mission Style Furniture

Mission style furniture is marked by several distinctive features that set it apart from other styles. Understanding these features can help you identify mission style pieces at a glance.

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Mission 9 drawer 2024-10 2025 HD.mov | 80’s mission style dressers can be made beautiful and modern with just a few tweaks. I first removed the “wings”, trimmed the top and added edge... | By Olive Street Designs | Do you have a 1980s mission style dresser that you'd love to modernize? Then it's time to watch. I got this one for free. I was so lucky. I can't believe it. This huge ten drawer dresser and it's a basset. It does have some rough patches. Water damage everywhere. It's a sticky drawers. Uh it's ten drawers but the inside of the drawers are beautiful there. It says it's a basset. Everything's in in good shape overall. Just has some cosmetic stuff from being used for many years. Or to change this mission style and make it modern. First thing to do is remove all of the hardware. Of course there's ten drawers. Each one has two handles so twenty. Give it a good clean. It was quite dirty. Sometimes I don't always show the cleaning and people ask me didn't you clean that? So yes I cleaned it. And then I wanted to get these what I called wings off. This is part of what makes Mission Style furniture look mission style. And it was the first thing I wanted to go. So I those off. Luckily it was just screwed on. Came off very easily. I did there was four of them. And just removing the hardware. It looks better already. And I'm measuring. Hm. What do you think I'm about to do? The top of this dresser is just too wide. So that overhang also dates it. It needs to go. So I marked it off. I know I want about an inch or inch and a half. Reveal instead of this three and a half inches. So and my construction square making everything straight. I put some painters tape on there just to help get a clean cut. And then I've got a board here that I'm going to use use as my straight edge and I put it right against where I want to cut. I plant it down and off we go. Is Edge is going to be trimmed off. With each change, each cut, it just looks better and better. So the edge of that did end up getting a little rough so I'm just putting some wood filler in there. Also this top is not solid wood. It's pressed board. And although I could paint it that way it would look okay. I'm going to add some edge banding and I'm showing you the adhesive side of this. This is an iron on type of edge banding. It's very common. Um you'll find it on a lot of furniture. A lot of times the corners are peeling off but I'm adding some on here so that when I paint it it's nice and smooth. I just cut it to side I take an iron no steam it's on the highest setting and you just essentially you're gluing it on but once you heat that up with with the glue that's on the back of that it is so sticky it's not going anywhere but it takes a few minutes to get this completely adhered to the dresser so I just spend some time going back and forth making sure every bit of it is stuck and it it is absolutely on there and then I sanded the edge and now this is going to paint it beautifully. Time to scuff sand the entire dresser. This is a big dresser so this is a big job just scuff sanding. Now there was a lot of areas that had some water damage. So I will have to spend extra attention to those and sanding all the way down to the bare wood there. Um that will post some issues later which I'll go over. But when you break through that top layer of varnish that was there previously it does cause some issues. I'm up batches of Bondo because I know I'm going to need a bunch and if I mix it all at once I won't get where I need before it hardens so I do it in batches. And I'm filling in lots and lots of hardware holes. I'm changing everything. So after that got some time to set then go back in and sand everything down smooth. I wish it really went that fast. And here is everything all disassembled and finally time to get some cleaning done. I waited until this point to actually clean the inside because I knew it was going to be filthy with all the cutting and everything that I was going to be doing. But now that we get everything nice and cleaned up it's time to drill some new hardware holes. I like to do at this point rather than waiting until after just in case I mess up which I did do here. Um I'll show you in a minute but I'm setting up my hardware jig and grabbing my three sixteenth drill bit. And I'm just going to go through the process of drilling holes in all the drawers now. Many of them are the same size and some are not. So I have to adjust my hardware jig and I messed up. So I need a little more Bondo but got it all fixed and no worries. Now it's ready to go. Into the tent we go. So first layer of course is primer. This is sticks primer. I have it tinted in gray. I love this primer. After it has a couple of hours of time to set, I'm going to sand everything and you'll see these rough patches. This is where I was down to the bare wood there. When it gets wet with the water-based primer, it will raise that grain and it's really rough. So, I did another entire layer of primer and I'm sanding it in. This will help fill that grain in and make it smooth. Getting everything all cleaned up and then I reached out to the internet and said what color should I paint this? Green, white, or black. And the overall majority said green. So guess what I'm choosing? Green. I was ready for green anyway and I was hoping that was the color and it it was clearly the winner. So green it is. I love this color of green. This is a custom color. I just made it. I really and I'm coordinating with my shirt but I really just felt the need for a dark olive. Um you'll see that I'm using these temporary handles. These are the adjustable screws that we all throw away because we get 500 of them. And I use them as temporary handles. So I'm in between coats here and I go ahead and pull all the drawers out and paint the edges. The tops and the sides of the drawers. I paint a second coat paint which I don't sand after and then top coat. And here is the top coat. Looking beautiful. In between coats of top coat I do sand it again. Second coat of top coat. Looking fabulous. Install some new hardware. Lots of new hardware. Lots of old hardware means lots of new hardware. And now for some drawer liners. Most of the drawers look great. There were a couple of them that were stained and I decided to just go ahead and line them all. And I'm lining them in a coordinating paper that's a olive trees on it. So I measure everything. Cut it to size. I don't like to cut it once it's in the drawer. So you'll see I'm dry fitting it just to make sure it fits perfectly. And I'll peel off the paper backing. And just carefully drag it into place in the drawer. And once I get it where I want it I smooth it first with my hands. And then I'll go in with a plastic putting knife just to get all the air bubbles out and here it is. This mission style furniture is easy to modernize. Just a few tweaks can really make this into a really beautiful modern dresser. I hope this makes you look at Mission Style Furniture just a little bit differently and if you like these kind of makeovers, make sure to follow for more.

One of the most recognizable features of mission style furniture is its use of vertical and horizontal lines. These lines create a strong, stable look and are often accentuated by the furniture's simple, rectangular shapes. The furniture also tends to have a heavy, solid appearance, with thick, sturdy legs and a robust frame.

Sturdy Construction and Natural Finishes

Mission style furniture is known for its sturdy construction. Pieces are typically made from solid wood, such as oak or maple, and are often left in their natural state or finished with a light stain that emphasizes the grain of the wood. The natural finishes allow the beauty of the wood to shine through, reflecting the Arts and Crafts movement's appreciation for nature and simple, honest materials.

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Examples of this can be seen in the classic mission style bookcase or secretary desk, where the natural wood grain is a prominent feature. The sturdy construction also means that these pieces are built to last, making them a practical choice for those looking for durable, long-lasting furniture.

Simple, Functional Design

Another key feature of mission style furniture is its simple, functional design. This style eschews elaborate ornamentation in favor of clean, straightforward lines and a focus on functionality. Pieces are designed to serve a purpose and are often multifunctional, reflecting the practical needs of the early American settlers.

For instance, a mission style buffet might have a drop-down leaf for additional table space when needed, while a mission style bed might have built-in drawers for extra storage. This functional design not only makes mission style furniture practical but also adds to its appeal in modern homes where space is often at a premium.

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Iconic Mission Style Pieces

Certain pieces of furniture are particularly associated with the mission style. These iconic pieces often serve as the cornerstone of a mission style decor scheme.

One such piece is the mission style dining table. Typically made from solid wood, these tables feature a simple, rectangular top supported by sturdy, square legs. The table might also have a trestle base or a central beam to support the tabletop, reflecting the style's appreciation for honest, straightforward design.

Mission Style Dining Chairs

Mission style dining chairs are another iconic piece. These chairs are characterized by their simple, straight backs and sturdy, turned legs. The seats are often made from woven cane or rush, adding a touch of texture and warmth to the piece. The chairs might also have a simple, slatted backrest, reflecting the style's use of vertical lines.

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Examples of these chairs can be seen in the classic mission style dining set, where the chairs are designed to complement the table, creating a cohesive look. These chairs are not only functional but also comfortable, thanks to their supportive backs and sturdy construction.

Mission Style Bookcases and Cabinets

Mission style bookcases and cabinets are also iconic pieces. These pieces often feature simple, rectangular shapes and sturdy, solid wood construction. The cabinets might have glass doors to display their contents, while bookcases often have adjustable shelves to accommodate a variety of book sizes.

One notable example is the mission style secretary desk, which combines a writing desk with a bookcase and cabinets. This piece reflects the style's focus on functionality and its appreciation for simple, practical design. It's a piece that would be at home in a modern home office or living room.

In the world of furniture, mission style pieces stand out for their robust construction, simple design, and appreciation for the natural beauty of wood. Whether you're looking for a sturdy dining table, a functional bookcase, or a comfortable chair, mission style furniture offers a practical, timeless solution. So, if you're drawn to the idea of furniture that is both functional and beautiful, mission style might just be the perfect fit for your home.