How To Pick The Right Wood For Your Decor

Walnut
Move over, mahogany. The new favorite dark wood is walnut. Its deep, rich color can work as a classic side table or a live-edge coffee table. “Walnut has a big contrast with the new growth, which is the lighter color on the outside, and the older, brown center color,” says Adam Owens, a woodworker at 3 Barn Doors. “In modern style, that movement from light to dark is huge.” 

Cherry
The long, uniform grain pattern and slight orange color pops in any setting, but its tendency to grow tall makes for great bedroom furniture such as a headboard or nightstand. “This wood is easy to cut, sand and isn’t as dense as other woods,” says Owens. “You can get pretty decorative with it and add details.”

White Oak
Dense and heavy, it can take a beating. So this is what you want for a dining room table or countertops. The large, open grain structure and variety of colors work well with light or dark color schemes. “One slab can have three or four different colors in it,” Owens says.

Quick Cuts
Before shopping for a wood slab, keep these tips in mind.

Consider color and grain. 3 Barn Doors owner Aaron Cunningham can show you a variety of options. “But I can’t see your space, so you’ll have to narrow it down,” he says.

Start with a budget. “If you only want to spend a little, I’m not going to show you walnut,” says Cunningham, “but maybe a stained maple.”

Measure first. “Our slabs range from 4 to 9 feet, sometimes bigger,” says Cunningham. “Knowing a size helps us direct you to the right piece.”