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DESIGN 101
A Guide To Elevating Your Home's Design With Burl Wood
Dimension can be found in both natural and manufactured patterns, adding interest, depth, and contrast to a room. Burl wood — along with stone, glass, and marble — provides unique patterns and textures that are among nature's finest contributions to dimension in interior design.
Burl wood, also called burled wood, is, as its name suggests, wood with a burl. A wood burl appears as a variation in the colors, textures, and patterns of the wood in the tree's roots, branches, or trunk. You can see rings, swirls, knots, and color changes in the grain of burled wood.
Burls form on trees in response to stress from damage caused by insects, floods, fire, disease, and fungus. They can also form when trees attempt to survive imperfect growing conditions, like shallow soil or steep land. Injuries and stress create distortions in the wood, resulting in burls. Despite being caused by damage, once formed, burls do not hurt a tree and should not be cut from a living tree.
The elaborate, distinct patterns found in burl wood beautify the many creations made from it, including:
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Wood furniture, such as beds, chairs, and benches
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Trim, cabinets, bookcases, and other wood pieces built into homes
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Decorative or kitchen items like bowls, butcher blocks, and trays
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Sculptures and other art
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Musical instruments, including guitars and violins
Burl wood qualifies as a luxury material because each piece is one of a kind, a rare piece of art found in nature and displayed in your home. When shopping for burl wood pieces online, the images you see will not be the same as the items you receive because each piece is unique.
Incorporating burled wood items into your decor can drive up your design budget. Carefully planning your decorating budget, investing in quality items, and shopping online can help you furnish your home with burl wood and other valuable decor, even on a budget.
Types of Burl Wood
Any tree species can have burl wood, including ash, cherry, elm, maple, oak, redwood, and walnut. Each species has its own kind of burled wood, varying in color and pattern.
Walnut burl
Walnut burl's rich, deep colors and prominent, intricate patterns make it a highly sought-after, expensive variety of burled wood. Woodworkers, artisans, and collectors value walnut burl's stability, resilience, and durability. You can find it in high-end furniture, veneers, decorative items, and even guitars and violins.
Elm burl
Elm burls, with their light to medium browns and irregular grains, are used in tables, chairs, cabinets, and other wood pieces. While somewhat softer than other woods, elm burls have a distinct look that adds depth to any wood piece. Elmwood burls feature unusual interlocking wave patterns.
Oak burl
The strength, resilience, and stability of oak burled wood make it optimal for furniture and flooring. The raised, complex grain patterns and warm tones make this classic burl perfect for any piece, including tables and other furniture, flooring, and even smaller wood pieces like bowls and butcher blocks.
White oak burls are lighter and less prominent than the darker, slightly reddish hues and deeper grain patterns of red oak burls.
Maple burl
Durable, strong maple burled wood can be found in high-end furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and smaller pieces like wooden trays and butcher blocks. The creamy white to reddish brown maple burl wood grains are intricate, smooth, and fine. In addition to its stability, maple wood also stains nicely.
Redwood burl
The warm reddish brown hues and distinct scent of redwood make redwood burled wood a favorite for many artisans and homeowners. In addition to furniture, art, and decorative items like bowls, redwood burl is often seen in outdoor furniture and decks because it's durable and less likely to decay than other woods.
Popular Burl Wood Furniture Styles
Incorporating different kinds of materials into your home decor, including wood and burled wood, adds depth and contrast. Many interior design styles feature burl wood, including traditional, rustic, contemporary, modern, and cottagecore design styles.
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Traditional and rustic
Live edge and burled wood complement traditional and rustic designs beautifully. Warm, rich woods with textured, deep burls, like those found in oak and redwood, work well with both designs.
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Tuscan
he old-world charm and high-quality craftsmanship of Tuscan decor serve as the ideal backdrop for classic burled wood pieces, especially in deeper tones.
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Contemporary and modern
Smooth, fine patterns in lighter-colored burled wood, like maple, are frequently used in minimalist designs, including contemporary and modern decor.
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Cottagecore
Lighter-colored, smooth burled woods can contribute to cottagecore decor's rustic-light look, a softer take on nostalgic, natural design.
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Regardless of design, burled wood is used in different ways. Burled wood pieces sometimes have a live edge, which are the natural edges of a tree unfinished by woodworkers. Burl wood can also come in the form of a veneer, a thin layer of wood as the top layer of furniture, giving the appearance of solid wood.
How To Care for and Maintain Burl Wood Furniture
Burl wood furniture is an investment. To maintain its beauty and value, carefully follow the care instructions provided with your burl wood furniture or other burl wood piece.
Cleaning instructions for burl wood typically include:
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Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, such as a microfiber cloth. Avoid abrasive cloths, including paper towels. Always follow the grain of the wood when dusting and polishing.
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Unless specifically indicated in instructions that came with your burl wood piece, do not use soap, detergent, or chemicals of any kind. Cleaning solutions can damage the finish.
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If your burl wood piece includes instructions for using soap or chemical cleaning agents, use mild soap and water or a wood-friendly cleaner or polish.
Protect your burled wood pieces from damage:
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Keep burl wood pieces away from windows, doors, heaters, and vents. Fluctuating environmental conditions can cause cracks and warping in burl wood and can separate burled wood veneers from the layers beneath them.
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Avoid using sharp objects near burled wood — especially softer varieties like elm burl — to prevent scratches and punctures in the wood.
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If exposed to water, dry carefully and completely. Use coasters to prevent condensation damage.
Take your time when choosing burl wood furniture for your home. Each piece is truly one of a kind. Choose the colors and patterns that speak to you and complement your home's aesthetic.
Whether you choose a coffee table with a live edge, rough texture, and deep, rich tones for your rustic design or an office desk with smooth, fine grain featuring delicate, light swirls in creamy tones for your modern decor, your burl wood piece is sure to be an investment you will treasure for many years.