Decorating
Trends: Why it’s Time to Sing the Praises of Dark Wood Furniture
Whether it’s an antique heirloom or a retro piece, dark wood furniture can look dramatic, warm and downright stylish, too
Dark wood, such as walnut, is frequently employed in fitted kitchens, bringing a shot of deep, rich colour to the room, but when it comes to freestanding furniture, we sometimes shy away from the dark side. Maybe it’s a hangover from the past. If you grew up in the 1970s, chances are you came across plenty of wooden sideboards and chests of drawers in tones ranging from honey to black treacle from manufacturers such as G-Plan. Today, though, dark wood furniture deserves a rethink. Timbers such as teak, rosewood and walnut can bring welcome warmth to a room and, with some creative styling and careful accessorising, dark wood furniture can slot handsomely into most schemes.
Hack it
Consider tweaking and upcycling dark furniture, just as you might any other find. This handsome unit has had its back panel painted black to create a bold backdrop for china and books. It’s a clever update for this dark wooden piece, and creates a more contemporary feel.
Take a look at 10 upcycling projects
Consider tweaking and upcycling dark furniture, just as you might any other find. This handsome unit has had its back panel painted black to create a bold backdrop for china and books. It’s a clever update for this dark wooden piece, and creates a more contemporary feel.
Take a look at 10 upcycling projects
Make it homely
Treat your dark wooden furniture like an old friend, not a threatening interloper, by dressing it with colourful finds and family photos. Position it next to a cheerful artisan rug, too, to help it fit in, and feel loved and lovable!
Treat your dark wooden furniture like an old friend, not a threatening interloper, by dressing it with colourful finds and family photos. Position it next to a cheerful artisan rug, too, to help it fit in, and feel loved and lovable!
Celebrate a classic
Many antique pieces, such as this beautiful Windsor chair, were carved from deeply dark wood. A classic piece like this brings a touch of proudly antique style to your room, but you can knock off any austere edges by styling it simply with a colourful throw.
Many antique pieces, such as this beautiful Windsor chair, were carved from deeply dark wood. A classic piece like this brings a touch of proudly antique style to your room, but you can knock off any austere edges by styling it simply with a colourful throw.
Repurpose creatively
Take a chunky old wooden piece and give it a fresh lease of life by converting it for a new function. Reinventing a solid piece of storage as an essential item of bathroom furniture can increase its value. Now home to a basin, this piece is unique and brings quirky personality to the bathroom.
Take a chunky old wooden piece and give it a fresh lease of life by converting it for a new function. Reinventing a solid piece of storage as an essential item of bathroom furniture can increase its value. Now home to a basin, this piece is unique and brings quirky personality to the bathroom.
Open it up
With its doors and drawers closed, a dark wooden console or stand can look rather solid and clunky. There’s a very simple way to lighten the look, though – remove the doors! This sweet telephone stand, designed for life in a hallway, comes complete with open display space, perhaps used originally for keeping phone books in. Now it’s home to vintage cameras and colourful books, which contrast brightly with the dark wood.
With its doors and drawers closed, a dark wooden console or stand can look rather solid and clunky. There’s a very simple way to lighten the look, though – remove the doors! This sweet telephone stand, designed for life in a hallway, comes complete with open display space, perhaps used originally for keeping phone books in. Now it’s home to vintage cameras and colourful books, which contrast brightly with the dark wood.
Think more is more
Dark wooden furniture sometimes benefits from a few friends. A set, such as this table and chairs, creates a coordinated feel and shows clear style intent. This dining room is proud to take a trip to the 1970s, with its table, seating and macramé light shade from the period, but keeps the décor around these pieces calm and neutral.
Dark wooden furniture sometimes benefits from a few friends. A set, such as this table and chairs, creates a coordinated feel and shows clear style intent. This dining room is proud to take a trip to the 1970s, with its table, seating and macramé light shade from the period, but keeps the décor around these pieces calm and neutral.
Install and integrate
Dark wooden furniture can stand out awkwardly in a room, so try incorporating it more thoroughly into the scheme. This glass and wood cabinet has been fitted into the wall, so that only its front is visible. It’s an inspired way to use and enjoy a family piece, while also giving it a bold new direction.
Dark wooden furniture can stand out awkwardly in a room, so try incorporating it more thoroughly into the scheme. This glass and wood cabinet has been fitted into the wall, so that only its front is visible. It’s an inspired way to use and enjoy a family piece, while also giving it a bold new direction.
Team with dark pieces
A sure-fire way to help a piece of dark wooden furniture sink beautifully into any room is to take its deep tones as the starting point for the scheme. Here, a wooden sideboard is teamed with an Eames LCW Plywood chair with a walnut veneer frame, a dark coffee table and a chesterfield sofa in deep brown leather. Accents of watery blue balance out the dark tones and bring a sense of energy to the space.
A sure-fire way to help a piece of dark wooden furniture sink beautifully into any room is to take its deep tones as the starting point for the scheme. Here, a wooden sideboard is teamed with an Eames LCW Plywood chair with a walnut veneer frame, a dark coffee table and a chesterfield sofa in deep brown leather. Accents of watery blue balance out the dark tones and bring a sense of energy to the space.
Buddy up with grey
Dark wooden pieces can dominate a neutral scheme, but when you sit them next to an equally dark wall or floor, they suddenly seem to blend in. A wooden desk adds warmth to the deep grey in this office and subtly introduces some vintage character without clamouring for attention.
TELL US…
Are you keen on dark wooden furniture? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Dark wooden pieces can dominate a neutral scheme, but when you sit them next to an equally dark wall or floor, they suddenly seem to blend in. A wooden desk adds warmth to the deep grey in this office and subtly introduces some vintage character without clamouring for attention.
TELL US…
Are you keen on dark wooden furniture? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
For maximum impact, consider positioning your dark wooden piece within a pure white scheme. It creates a contrasting bolt of rich, deep colour, warming up the white and becoming a dramatic focal point.
See ways to make a classic white scheme work in a kitchen