How to Mix Wood Tones Like a Designer

A question we hear often, especially during our Wood Furniture Sale, is how to know whether different wood tones, washes, and hues truly “work” together. This comes up as customers and clients consider bringing a new piece into their homes and want it to complement what they already own.

With upholstery, you have the luxury of bringing home fabric swatches and testing how something may look in your space, however wood furniture doesn’t always offer that same flexibility. You can’t casually bring home a dining table to see if the wash works in your home (if only!), and what if when it arrives you realize you chose a finish that’s too warm or too dark? It’s natural to want to get it right, so when mixing tones feels a little uncertain, how do designers approach this with such ease? We turned to a few of our designers and asked how they blend finishes with such confidence. Here’s what they had to say.

 

 

When in Doubt, Follow Nature’s Mood Board

One of the most grounding ways to think about mixing wood tones is to look outside. As designer Taylor Hunt reminds us, nothing in nature matches perfectly and that’s exactly why it feels balanced. Trees and bushes grow side by side in different tones, leaves shift in color and shape, and yet the overall effect is harmonious!

We often hear design professionals referencing nature and how carrying colors from outside into your home helps to create a sense of continuity. Nature is full of different hues and it works. When you think about mixing wood furniture in the same way to create a layered look, it might feel a bit more intuitive. Taylor H. also adds that “working with similar undertones across light, medium, and dark pieces creates a space that feels collected rather than overly coordinated”.  

 

 

 

Matching is Out, Mixing is In

It can be quite difficult or even impossible to perfectly match wood pieces, so let’s skip that old rule entirely! Start with a finish you love and let that piece anchor the space, then build the room around that choice.

 

 

 

As designer Taylor Schwartz says, the “matchy-matchy” mindset is behind us. “Choose pieces that complement the existing palette rather than replicating it. If a certain finish is giving you trouble,” Taylor S suggests “pivoting to something unexpected – a brass accent table, a glass-top moment, or even a painted piece to break up the wood altogether.” Once you stop trying to match and start trying to balance, the whole process becomes more freeing and allows for more creativity and personality!

 

 

 

Let the Grains Do the Talking

Some wood furniture pieces are easier to work with than others, and burl is one of those finishes that seems to work with everything. It’s become a shop favorite for its ability to work seamlessly with both lighter and darker wood tones. The movement in the grain adds texture and almost acts as a pattern, bringing instant warmth and interest to a space.

 

 

 

Taylor S loves using burl wood for this reason, stating, “it leans both traditional and modern depending on its surroundings, making it so versatile.” In the shop, you’ll see burl pieces sprinkled throughout because they’re interesting, add character, and tie spaces together effortlessly while adding a sense of richness that makes a space feel intentionally layered.

 

Trust Your Eye

If there’s one “rule” when it comes mixing wood pieces, it’s to not overthink it! Trust your eye – if a piece speaks to you, there’s usually a way to make it work. There’s no strict formula in interior design, and the same goes for mixing wood tones. What matters most is creating a space that feels personal, lived-in, and loved by you.

As you browse the shop or follow along on social during our Wood Furniture Sale, which ends March 15, you’ll see this philosophy everywhere, and rooms that feel richer because of it. Remember, designers aren’t focused on matching, but instead on curating, and with a little added confidence after reading this week’s blog post, you can too!