We define the characteristics and colors of furniture woods and wood finishes.
Wood furniture knows no style boundaries and is designed in everything from ornate, traditional styles to sleek, modern styles. Beyond construction, the look of wood furniture can vary even further depending on the type and finish. In this guide, we’ve covered the basics of the many colors and types of wood for furniture and finish options.
Types of Wood for Furniture
Types of Wood Finishes
There are two different categories of natural wood used for furniture: hardwood and softwood. There are also manufactured wood types to choose from. The first step in choosing the right types of wood for furniture in your home is to decide which category suits you best based on its characteristics.
Hardwood
Hardwood comes from deciduous trees that shed their leaves in the winter and protect their seeds with either a hard shell or a cushiony fruit – that’s where the term hardwood comes from. Hardwood isn’t always the harder wood, but it is denser and more porous than softwood. Typically, hardwoods are sturdy and durable, so furniture is commonly made from them, though they tend to be more expensive than other furniture materials. Keep reading to explore the different types of wood that are in this category:
Oak: Oak is a common wood type for furniture that has two main variations: red and white. White oak is a gray-brown color, while red oak has a reddish cast with a gray-brown color. Because of its strength and beautiful grain, oak is often used in solid-wood furniture and veneers.
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Walnut: Traditionally used in fine furniture (like cabinets), expensive walnut is also often used in veneers. Walnut is chocolate brown with dark or purplish streaks.
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Mahogany: As one of the most treasured types of wood, mahogany is a mainstay in fine furniture. This expensive wood has a reddish-brown to deep red coloring.
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Cherry: Often used in fine furniture, cherry is an expensive hardwood. It takes stains and finishes easily and ages beautifully. Cherrywood comes in reddish-brown hues from moderately light to very dark.
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Birch (yellow birch): This is a common hardwood used in all types of furniture. Birch is a light yellow-brown in color, and has a uniquely wavy grain.
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Ash (white ash): With a pale wood color, ash is a tough hardwood. It is extremely flexible without losing its strength, so it is often found in bent and curved furniture.
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Teak: Weather-resistant teak is commonly used for outdoor furniture like chaises and patio dining sets as well as in shower accents like mats and stools. The color of teak varies from a golden brown to a dark brown. It is an expensive wood because of its quality and long-lasting durability. Review our guide on to learn more about caring for teak furniture.
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Hickory: This kind of wood is ultra-durable because it features a dense, straight-grain pattern. It has a tan or medium-toned brown color and a distinctive red undertone. Hickory's strength and distinctive look makes it a popular choice for a variety of furnishings. Oh, and did we mention that its dense composition also makes it naturally stain-resistant?
Maple: Maple wood also has a straight-grain pattern, which makes it super durable and perfect for long-lasting furniture pieces. It can be light to rich brown in color and is easy to carve into beautiful designs because of its dense composition.
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Acacia: Acacia wood has a unique wood grain pattern and a rich reddish brown color that makes for stunning furniture pieces. It is also naturally insect- and rot-resistant, which makes it another great choice for outdoor furniture. Check out our guide, to learn more about this furniture material option.
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There are many more hardwood types than the popular options above, including rubberwood, rosewood, pecan, aspen, poplar, alder, gumwood, and beech.
Softwood
Lighter in weight and usually in color, softwood furniture tends to be slightly less durable than hardwood. Softwood comes from evergreen conifer trees that do not protect their seeds with an outer coating. Softwoods are very common household furniture materials because they grow quickly and can be processed easily, which brings down their cost.
Pine: The primary wood used in unfinished furniture, the light natural color of pine takes stains well and therefore is versatile when it comes to matching with the rest of your home decor. Pine often has knots and clearly marked growth rings, creating a recognizable grain.
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Cedar: A softwood that is mostly used in closets, armoires, chests, and dressers, cedar is a light reddish color with wavy streaks and dark knots. Cedar has a distinctive scent that is effective in repelling insects, especially moths.
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Fir: The hardest of the softwoods, fir is as strong and durable as cherry and softer maple woods. Fir furniture comes in light orange to pale reddish-brown hues and has an attractive, tight grain that looks like hairline stripes.
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Manufactured
Despite their human-made origins, manufactured types of wood can be just as high quality as the real thing. When covered with a top-quality veneer, it can be difficult to tell the difference between composite-wood furniture and solid-wood furniture. Our guides, What Is Manufactured Wood? and go more in-depth about these wood alternatives. Below are the three most common composite woods.
Plywood: Composed of multiple thin layers of wood that are glued and pressed together, plywood is strong, flexible, and resistant to cracking, warping, shrinking, and swelling. To increase the strength of the furniture, the direction of the wood grain alternates from layer to layer.
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF): MDF is made from broken-down hardwood and softwood fibers that have been bonded together with resin, glue, and/or wax. The fibers are then compressed at high temperatures to form sheets, resulting in a product that is stronger and denser than all other wood materials. MDF is very heavy, but it cuts, sands, and finishes well. It is often used for cabinets, cupboards, and shelving.
Particleboard: Made of glue, sawdust, and wood chips that have been mixed together and pressure treated, particleboard is inexpensive. The process is similar to how MDF is made, but particleboard is made with actual wood chips. Particleboard is a common component of inexpensive furniture that has a veneer or laminate facade, including budget-friendly flooring and kitchen furniture.
Hardwood, softwood, and manufactured wood are available in a number of wood styles that impact their look, price point, and durability. Understanding these options can help you figure out the best finish options for your style and budget. Here's a list of the key wood finish options you typically come across as you shop for wood furniture pieces and flooring.
Stain: Wood stains are typically made of a pigment, a liquid pigment carrier, and a binder (often resin) that helps the stain adhere to the wood. Stains are available in a wide variety of colors that can enhance the grain of the wood.
Dye: Wood dye and stain are similar in their range of color, but unlike wood stain, wood dye penetrates deep into the wood to color not just the surface, but the wood flesh itself. Dyes are usually made from a powdered pigment and a solvent and do not require a binding agent. Dye is better for denser wood types.
Oil: Wood naturally produces oils, but they may dry out over time. Oil finishes reinvigorate the look and feel of wood furniture. Typically, oils enhance and darken the natural colors of wood.
Varnish: One of the toughest finishes, varnish is resistant to impact, heat, abrasion, water, and alcohol. It is usually composed of an oil, a resin, and a solvent. Varnish gives the wood a clear, glossy finish and is typically applied after stains or dyes.
Shellac: Derived from an insect wax found in southeast Asia, shellac is a nontoxic glaze for furniture that is available in many colors. It typically finishes glossy.
Wax: Only applied to furniture once the wood has been thoroughly sanded, filled, and sealed, wax finishes are water-resistant. A wax finish is lusterless and will leave a wood piece looking natural and soft. Wax isn’t very durable, especially against heat, and it must be reapplied often.
Resin: Unlike other surface finishes, resin soaks in and hardens the wood's individual fibers. Resin-treated wood often has a natural, almost unfinished look and is able to withstand heavy wear. Resin can be clear or colored.
Lacquer: This thin, protective finish is applied in many sprayed-on layers. Lacquer can have many sheen levels from matte to high gloss.
Liming, Pickling & Whitewashing: All three create a white effect on wood, giving it a rustic, weathered appearance. This look is achieved by applying a lime mixture, bleach, or white stain/paint to the wood.
Paint: Often found on country-, cottage-, or coastal-style furniture, paint adds an old-fashioned charm to wooden pieces. It comes in almost any color imaginable and is completely opaque – obscuring the natural coloring of wood.
Veneers: Veneers are created by bonding a thin layer of fine, decorative wood to the face of furniture made of less expensive materials. Furniture with a veneer finish is usually more affordable than furniture made of fine solid wood. Veneers can be applied in patterns to add visual interest to a piece.
Tip!
After familiarizing yourself with wood names and finish options, check out Your Guide to the Best Dining Table Wood Options to discover the best options for your home, budget, and lifestyle.
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