Many pieces of furniture are not solid wood at all. It is usually some form of a particle board and a laminate over that or sometimes it is a less expensive wood underneath and a laminate over that. Some advantages are you can create some extremely detailed and patterned furniture.  It is also considerably less expensive to use than the full thickness hardwood. Imagine the cost of a Birdseye maple hutch in solid wood. It would cost you $50,000 or more.

Some practical advise is to clean once or twice a year using dish soap suds. Wipe down and dry the piece. The next thing is to moisturize and protect with a quality wood protectant like Exact Match Luster Restore. It is made from orange oil, beeswax and carnube wax. This combination provides the ultimate preservative/protectant.  The wax prevents water and stains from building up and the orange oil replaces the natural moisture found in wood.

Do this twice or three times a year and your laminated piece can virtually last forever.