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DESIGN 101
A Guide To Mixing Wood Tones
If you don’t buy all of your wood furniture at the same time in a matching set, it’s nearly impossible to perfectly match the finishes. The addition of wood floors and other built-in details further complicates the issue. The good news is that mixing wood finishes can create interest, depth, and definition in any space.
Most people acquire their furniture over the years, with some bought, some inherited, and some integrated as families or roommates come together. With a few designer tricks, you can embrace multiple finishes and pull together a sophisticated and appealing room. Look for similar styles, undertones, and grains, or create a buffer to coordinate when the tones don’t quite work side-by-side.
Here are a few more strategies for building an engaging, layered look with assorted wood finishes.
What’s the Difference Between Wood Colors, Wood Undertones, and Wood Finishes?
People often refer to colors, undertones, and finishes when discussing wooden furniture. These terms might seem similar, but they describe different elements.
The color is the primary shade you see on the surface of the wood. Some wood furniture retains its natural color, while others have been stained. For example, an oak bookcase can be a natural light tan or stained to a darker brown.
Undertones are the subtle secondary shades that appear within the surface color. These hues influence the wood’s overall appearance and relationship to other wooden furniture. An oak bookcase may have undertones of golden blond, cool blue, or reddish-brown.
Finally, finishes are coatings applied to the surface of wood. These layers seal the wood to protect it from moisture, scratches, and other hazards. Some furniture pieces have clear finishes, while others are stained or painted.
Common Wood Colors
Here are a few popular woods and their colors:
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Pine: Creamy yellow or white with yellow undertones
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Maple: Light white or tan with ivory undertones
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Red oak: Light reddish-brown with warm pink or yellow undertones
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White oak: Light tan to medium brown with neutral undertones
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Mahogany: Rich reddish-brown with hints of orange
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Cherry: Deep reddish-brown that darkens with age and has red or pink undertones
Wood Tones
ood tones typically fall into one of three categories: warm, cool, or neutral. Choose tones from the same family to create a cohesive and intentional look.
Warm wood stains featuring red or yellow undertones work together whether light or dark in intensity. For example, you could place a red oak bookcase near a cherrywood coffee table to make your living room feel cozy and inviting.
Meanwhile, cool, ashy gray finishes easily harmonize in different saturations for a polished look. To create a refined dining space, you might pair a gray oak dining room table with an ash sideboard.
Avoid mixing too many warm and cool undertones. These combinations can make a room look chaotic and disjointed, creating a cluttered and unwelcoming atmosphere.
Cool Tones
Cool wood tones have shades of blue, gray, or grayish-brown. They infuse rooms with peace and serenity, so they’re perfect for spaces designed for relaxing. For instance, you could include cool tones in your bedroom to help you wind down at night.
These woods typically have cool tones:
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Ash
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Birch
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Maple
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Pine
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Poplar
Warm tones
Warm wood tones have hints of red, orange, or yellow. These colors evoke the sunlight and create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Use warm tones in spaces where you want to feel energized and upbeat, such as the kitchen and home office.
Here are a few woods with warm tones:
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Cherry
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Hickory
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Mahogany
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Red Oak
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Walnut
How Can I Mix Wood Tones?
Mixing wood tones might seem complicated, especially if you have a lot of different furniture to work with. But don’t worry. Anyone can combine wood tones effectively by following these simple steps.
Step 1: Choose a Main Undertone
Start by picking a primary wood tone to anchor your space. This color will guide your decisions as you choose additional furniture and decor.
Many people use the color of their hardwood floors as their dominant tone. For example, if you have a cherry floor, you might pick wooden furniture with complementary red hues.
You can also choose your main tone based on a focal point in the room. Wooden kitchen cabinets often have striking colors, while wooden bookcases and other large furniture can grab attention.
Step 2: Match Your Secondary Undertones
Next, choose complementary undertones that mesh with your primary color. Pick colors in the same family to create a harmonious space. For example, a cherry hardwood floor goes well with golden yellows, rich oranges, and other warm hues. On the other hand, pine cabinets would match furniture with cool blue and gray tones.
Feel free to mix different colors from the same category to create visual contrast. Suppose you have a dark mahogany TV stand in your living room. You could add furniture with other warm tones, such as a medium red oak coffee table and light pine end tables.
Step 3: Balance the Room by Using Each Undertone Twice
Next, choose complementary undertones that mesh with your primary color. Pick colors in the same family to create a harmonious space. For example, a cherry hardwood floor goes well with golden yellows, rich oranges, and other warm hues. On the other hand, pine cabinets would match furniture with cool blue and gray tones.
Feel free to mix different colors from the same category to create visual contrast. Suppose you have a dark mahogany TV stand in your living room. You could add furniture with other warm tones, such as a medium red oak coffee table and light pine end tables.
Step 4: Create Uniformity by Choosing the Same Finish
Choosing similar finishes will help your wood furniture blend together. There are many types of wood finishes, including, lacquer , shellac, stain , and varnish.
If you have disjointed wood furniture, consider applying your own finishes. For instance, you could stain two chairs with a similar hue for a more unified appearance.
Step 5: Break Up the Room With Accent Pieces
Use accent pieces to add new textures and separate clashing or mismatched wood tones. A few common accent pieces include curtains, houseplants, painted accent walls, throw pillows, rugs, wall art.
Coordinate Your Wood Furniture Effortlessly
Mixing wood tones lets you repurpose your existing furniture into new designs. You can also use these strategies to choose new furniture with complementary shades and create a harmonious look.
Whether you want a warm entertainment space or a cool refuge, wood tones will help you create the perfect mood.