Everything you need to know about wood colors to inspire your next design.
Hex
RGB
HSB
HSL
Light Oak | Medium Oak | Dark Oak
#DDBF9B | #C19A6B | #A67D52
Light Walnut | Medium Walnut | Dark Walnut
#9E6B4A | #795C34 | #5D4B36
Light Mahogany | Medium Mahogany | Dark Mahogany
#C04000 | #A52A2A | #800000
Light Cherry | Medium Cherry | Dark Cherry
#C3836A | #B35A44 | #954535
Light Maple | Medium Maple | Dark Maple
#F5DEB3 | #E8C39E | #D4B68C
Light Pine | Medium Pine | Dark Pine
#F9E4B7 | #EACB8C | #D8B172
Wood + Off-White + Gold
#8B4513 + #F5F5F5 + #D4AF37
Wood + Olive Green + Wheat
#8B4513 + #556B2F + #F5DEB3
Wood + Dark Slate Gray + White
#8B4513 + #2F4F4F + #FFFFFF
Wood + Indian Red + Light Gray
#8B4513 + #CD5C5C + #E8E8E8
Wood + Steel Blue + Alice Blue
#8B4513 + #4682B4 + #F0F8FF
Wood + Dark Khaki + Sandy Brown
#8B4513 + #BDB76B + #F4A460
The most popular wood colors for furniture include medium oak (#C19A6B), walnut (#795C34), cherry (#B35A44), and mahogany (#A52A2A). These classic wood tones offer warmth and versatility, complementing a wide range of interior design styles from traditional to contemporary.
Wood tones pair beautifully with a variety of colors. Neutrals like white, cream, and gray create a timeless look. Green shades complement wood's natural origins, while blues (especially navy) create elegant contrast. Earthy tones like terracotta and mustard enhance wood's warmth, and metallics like gold or brass add sophistication to wood elements.
To successfully mix wood tones in your design, follow these principles: choose a dominant wood tone as your anchor, match undertones (warm with warm, cool with cool), create contrast with different finishes, use a buffer like a rug or fabric between different woods, and limit your palette to 2-3 different wood tones for a cohesive look.
Warm wood tones have yellow, orange, or red undertones (like cherry, mahogany, and oak) and create cozy, inviting spaces. Cool wood tones have gray or taupe undertones (like ash, some walnuts, and weathered woods) and create a more modern, sophisticated atmosphere. Understanding these undertones helps in creating harmonious color schemes.
While color alone isn't always definitive, it provides clues: oak typically has a light tan to medium brown color with visible grain; maple is pale with subtle grain; cherry has a reddish-brown hue that darkens with age; walnut is chocolate brown to purplish-black; and mahogany has a distinctive reddish-brown color. Grain pattern, texture, and weight also help in identification.
Rooms with northern exposure tend to have cooler light, so warm wood tones can help balance this. Southern-facing rooms with warm light pair well with both warm and cool wood tones.
For dramatic effect, pair dark woods with light walls. For a subtle, cohesive look, choose wall colors that are in the same tonal family as your wood elements.
When using multiple wood tones, balance them with varying textures. Combine smooth, polished woods with more rustic, textured pieces for visual interest.
Darker wood tones can make furniture pieces appear larger and heavier, while lighter tones create an airier feel. Consider this when choosing wood colors for different sized spaces.