Oak, walnut or ash? Choosing wood tones for your interior
Wood tones shape the mood of a room as much as paint colours do. Here is a general overview of common woods to help you choose and combine them with confidence.
Oak
Oak is one of the most popular furniture timbers. It has a pronounced grain, a light-to-mid golden tone and good hardness, so it copes well with everyday use. It suits both traditional and modern designs and takes oils, waxes and stains well. Oak can darken or mellow over time with exposure to light.
Walnut
Walnut is known for its rich chocolate-brown colour and often flowing grain. It is slightly softer than oak but still well suited to furniture. Because it is typically more expensive, it is often chosen for statement pieces such as dining tables or sideboards. Walnut tends to lighten slightly over time.
Ash
Ash is pale with a bold, straight grain that looks similar to oak. It is strong and has a degree of flexibility, which is one reason it has traditionally been used for chairs and tool handles. It is often a little more affordable than oak and suits a light, Scandinavian-inspired look.
Maple
Maple is very pale with a fine, subtle grain and a smooth surface. Hard maple is dense and resistant to dents. Its clean appearance suits minimal designs, and it can show marks less than open-grained timbers.
Birch plywood
Good-quality birch plywood is stable, strong and shows attractive layered edges. It is a practical choice for shelving and built-in storage, especially where large flat panels are needed, and is often more economical than solid hardwood for these uses.
How to decide
- Use: a dining table sees more wear than a bookcase, so hardness matters more.
- Light and colour: consider the floor, walls and existing furniture.
- Budget: species, board width and availability all affect price.
- Finish: oils give a natural look; lacquers can offer more surface protection.
Every board is different, so expect natural variation in colour and grain. As a general rule, choose one dominant wood tone per room and add one or two contrasting accents. If you would like help building a palette, get in touch.
General information only. Properties vary between individual boards, suppliers and finishes. See our Disclaimer.