Pine furniture has often been associated with a more rustic look and is often passed up because people think of it as poor quality. While furniture that is made from pine is not likely to cost as much as that made from hardwoods such as cherry or maple, it can still look quite beautiful in your home and when properly taken care of can last for many years. Once frowned on and left to discount furniture stores, pine is making a comeback as hardwood furniture is becoming far too expensive for many buyers.As you look at the different styles of pine furniture you will find that, this pale, soft wood can be used to build most types of furniture from the frame for a couch to a headboard for your bed. As a soft wood is it very easy to work with and lends itself to being cut, carved and shaped easily. Unfortunately being a soft also makes it more susceptible to nicks, dings and dents during its lifetime. However, most people take this in stride and consider the marks as adding character to the look of their furniture.Because pine is a natural wood and not a synthetic reproduction, it should be properly protected. Here you have several different choices, starting with waxing. Using wax will add a protective layer to the pine that still allows the wood to breath; you will find that there are clear waxes that let the natural beauty of the wood shine through and colored waxes if you are trying to match your decor. Sealing the wood with polyurethane will seal the wood, keep it from drying out and protect it from stains and rings caused by cups.If you want your furniture to match your decor and be fully protected, you can paint your pine furniture using a variety of household paints. Thanks to the cracks and knots that most pieces of pine have even after they have been turned into furniture, painted pine still retains much of its country charm and it can always be sanded down and repainted or left natural when you get tired of the paint.