Choosing Your Wood Type
Picking the right wood for your furniture doesn’t have to be confusing — we’re here to make it simple. Each wood type has its own look, feel, and personality. Below, you’ll find a quick and easy guide to help you compare the most popular American hardwoods we offer: Oak, Brown Maple, Cherry, Quarter Sawn White Oak, Hickory, Hard Maple, and Walnut.
If you’ve already picked your wood and are ready for the next step, click here to explore our stain colors.
Red Oak
What makes Oak special:
Oak has been a household favorite for generations. Its bold grain — often showing sweeping “cathedral” patterns — gives every piece a timeless and sturdy look. It’s one of the strongest, most dependable woods out there, which is part of why it’s stayed in style for so long.
Durability:
Red Oak ranks high on the hardness scale (1290 Janka). It takes daily wear in stride and even hides small dings and scratches inside its bold grain pattern. If you need a piece that can handle life’s bumps and still look great, Oak’s your friend.
Color & Finish:
Traditionally, Oak has been finished in lighter tones like Golden or Natural, but many homeowners now love it in medium and darker shades like Seely, Michael’s Cherry, Asbury, or Earthtone.
Style:
Oak naturally leans toward traditional design but pairs beautifully with rustic and farmhouse styles too.
Brown Maple
What makes Brown Maple stand out:
Brown Maple is smooth and calm where Oak is bold and busy. Its grain is subtle, giving it a sleek, modern feel. The “brown” in its name comes from faint mineral streaks that run through the wood — a natural detail that adds warmth and character.
Durability:
With a 950 Janka rating, it’s softer than Oak but still plenty strong for everyday furniture. Treat it with a little care, and it’ll serve you well for years. For extra-tough use, you might consider Hard Maple, its stronger sibling.
Color & Finish:
Brown Maple shines in medium to dark stains, which help even out the natural color variations. Lighter finishes are possible too, though they’ll show more of the brown streaking. Popular choices include Seely, Michael’s, Asbury, and Earthtone.
Style:
The fine, smooth grain fits perfectly with contemporary, shaker, and transitional looks.
Cherry, Rustic Cherry & Sap Cherry
The difference:
All three come from the same tree — the difference is in the character.
Cherry is smooth and refined.
Rustic Cherry allows more knots and grain variation, giving it extra charm (and a lower price).
Sap Cherry includes both heartwood and sapwood, blending lighter and darker tones naturally.
Grain & Beauty:
Cherry has long been considered one of America’s most elegant hardwoods. Its deep, flowing grain gives furniture a rich, classic appearance.
Durability:
With a Janka rating of 950, Cherry is similar in strength to Brown Maple. It’s tough enough for most uses but prefers gentle treatment in busy households.
Color & Finish:
Cherry takes on a beautiful glow over time, darkening as it ages. It looks lovely in both natural and darker finishes like Asbury or Earthtone.
Style:
Cherry works wonderfully in everything from traditional to modern pieces — it’s timeless and adaptable.
Quarter Sawn White Oak (QSWO)
What it means:
“Quarter sawn” refers to how the log is cut. Each board is turned a quarter turn between cuts, producing a tighter grain with shimmering “tiger stripe” flakes that catch the light — a hallmark of true craftsmanship.
Rustic QSWO:
Rustic QSWO keeps more natural variation and small knots. It’s a little more relaxed in appearance and often costs less, without sacrificing quality.
Durability:
With a Janka score of 1335, QSWO is incredibly tough — a true heirloom wood built to last for generations.
Color & Finish:
Its fine grain looks fantastic in medium to dark stains such as Seely, Michael’s, Lite Asbury, or Asbury.
Style:
This is the classic Mission-style wood, but it also looks beautiful in shaker, craftsman, or even transitional designs.
Hickory
Why people love it:
Hickory is nature’s tank — bold grain, striking contrast, and incredible strength. Available in both regular and rustic grades, it’s perfect for those who love a natural, lively wood grain with plenty of personality.
Durability:
At 1820 on the Janka scale, Hickory is one of the hardest woods available. It’s heavy, incredibly durable, and will outlast just about anything else in your home.
Color & Finish:
Rustic Hickory in a Natural finish is classic, but darker stains like Seely, Michael’s, and Earthtone are becoming more popular for a refined rustic look.
Style:
Often seen in rustic or lodge-style homes, Hickory also brings warmth and texture to traditional and farmhouse pieces.
Hard Maple
What sets it apart:
Hard Maple is smooth, strong, and bright — a favorite for those who want a clean, refined appearance without heavy grain. Unlike Brown Maple, it’s clear and even-toned, making it perfect for lighter finishes.
Durability:
Hard Maple sits near the top of the hardness chart (1450 Janka). It’s dense, sturdy, and built to endure decades of use.
Color & Finish:
It’s excellent for Natural and light finishes that highlight its clarity, but it also looks stunning in mid to dark stains like Seashell, Asbury, or Almond.
Style:
Its subtle grain complements shaker, modern, and transitional furniture beautifully — elegant, versatile, and timeless.
Walnut
Why Walnut is special:
Walnut is in a class of its own. Known for its rich brown tones and flowing, wavy grain, it’s the kind of wood that turns heads and never goes out of style.
Durability:
With a Janka score of 1010, Walnut is solid and reliable but not quite as hard as Oak or Hickory. A little care goes a long way to keep its surface beautiful.
Color & Finish:
Its natural color is stunning enough that many people prefer a simple clear or light finish. Popular options include Natural, Bel Air, Michael’s, and Earthtone.
Style:
Walnut’s deep color and unique grain make it perfect for modern, mid-century, or statement traditional pieces. It’s rich, elegant, and full of character.