【Material Guide】Wood Pairing for Various Interior Design Styles
In the previous part, we introduced different types of wood, but with so many options, it can be overwhelming—which one should you choose when ordering custom solid wood furniture? What wood is best for Nordic or Muji styles? You’ll find the answers in this article! This episode explains the specific wood selections for each major design style.
Each type of wood has its own unique grain and color, ranging from light to dark and warm to cool tones, with textures varying from fine straight lines to water ripples. Light-colored wood creates a clean, tidy feel, while dark wood offers a classical, steady atmosphere. Pairing techniques generally involve interlacing light and dark wood tones or mixing in other materials.
Muji Style
Muji style advocates for “simple and stainless” aesthetics, where a sense of openness and ample natural light are essential. Light-colored wood mixed with white walls is the core of this style. For wood selection, it is recommended to use light-toned species such as Pine, Oak, or Manchurian Ash. These woods have clear textures and elegant lusters, creating a crisp and clean feeling with their natural tones. To add layers, you can incorporate a small amount of dark Walnutfurniture or Sophora tableware with varied tones to enrich the space’s color palette.
Scandinavian Style
Scandinavian Style simplicity and nature. Due to the colder northern climate, a large amount of wood is used in home renovations, making wooden furniture a core element. For wood selection, it is recommended to use light-colored, minimally processed woods such as White Oak, Pine, Beech, and Birch. Presenting the raw appearance of timber creates a simple, natural feel and fosters a harmonious, comfortable home atmosphere.
Industrial Style
Industrial style showcases the original architectural features. For wood selection, it is recommended to choose woods with a rugged texture and darker tones, such as Black Walnut, though a small amount of light wood can be added for balance. The preference is toward wood that hasn’t been over-polished or overly beautified—non-glossy finishes are key. You can also opt for recycled wood, as older timber carries traces of use that provide a vintage feel, emphasizing the rugged and casual nature of the Industrial style.
American Style
American style admires classical temperament and focuses on the beauty of lines. For wood selection, species with heavier tones and prominent grain are used, such as Cherry, Catalpa, Mahogany, and Red Oak, to highlight a classical and steady prestige. Among these, Red Oak has high workability, allowing for complex shaping and carved craftsmanship, which adds a sense of nobility and elegance to the American style.
Chinese Style
Chinese style leans toward classical elegance, often incorporating ethnic decorations like screens and traditional motifs. The main color palette usually consists of vermillion and coffee tones, which are relatively deep. The wood often features carvings and is polished to a high-gloss finish. Therefore, for wood selection, warm-toned and brownish-red woods are used, such as Rosewood, Teak, Red Sandalwood, and Pearwood, to highlight the magnificence and nobility of the Chinese style.
