Choosing the Right Wood for Your Custom Furniture: Beauty, Durability, and Creative Freedom
One of the greatest advantages of commissioning a custom piece of furniture is the
ability to choose the exact type of wood—or combination of woods—that fits your style,
needs, and budget. Mass-produced furniture often uses a one-size-fits-all, offends the
fewest tastes approach. Custom craftsmanship invites you to become part of the
design process, beginning with the foundation: the wood itself.
Aesthetic Taste: The Look and Feel You Love
Each wood species has a unique personality. Cherry offers a warm, reddish glow that
deepens beautifully with age. It sometimes has lighter streaks (sap wood) that offer
artistic highlights. Maple can be light and clean or strikingly dramatic when spalted or
figured. Walnut delivers a rich, dark tone with elegant grain patterns, perfect for creating
a bold, modern feel. Oak has a traditional appeal, with strong, visible grain and time-
tested charm.
With custom furniture, you're not limited to just one bland look. You can highlight details by mixing woods. For example, I love the combination of cherry and a touch of spalted maple. These combinations allow grain, color, and texture to play off each other, giving your piece a distinctive, artistic flair.
Durability: Matching the Wood to the Use
Different woods have different strengths. If you’re looking for a dining table that will see
daily use, hardwoods like oak, maple, or walnut are durable options that resist dents
and wear. Cherry is a hardwood, but is more likely to dent and scratch. If the piece is
more decorative or will live in a low-traffic area, softer woods like pine, or even reclaimed
Barn wood can bring a rustic charm while keeping costs down.
We'll help guide you through the performance aspects—how a wood responds to
humidity, how easily it scratches, or how it ages over time—so your furniture fits not only
your taste, but your lifestyle.
Budget: Balancing Beauty and Cost
Some woods are more expensive due to rarity, demand, or how difficult they are to mill.
Exotic woods like zebrawood or wenge carry a premium, while domestic species like
ash or poplar offer more affordable alternatives without sacrificing strength or character.
Custom doesn’t have to mean expensive—it just means tailored. And sometimes, a
single accent of a high-end wood—like a drawer pull made from cocobolo or a spalted
maple panel—can elevate the whole piece without breaking the budget.
The Joy of Custom: Crafting Something That’s Uniquely Yours
Ultimately, the wood you choose helps tell your story. Whether you're drawn to sleek
modern lines, rustic farmhouse warmth, or refined traditional forms, we’ll help you select the materials that bring your vision to life. With custom furniture, you’re not just buying a table or cabinet—you’re creating a one-of-a-kind heirloom that reflects your values, your style, and your space.