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July 7, 2025
When it comes to furniture—whether you’re restoring a family heirloom, building a custom piece, or selecting materials for a renovation—the type of wood you choose makes all the difference. Each species brings its own unique set of characteristics in terms of durability, grain, color, and how it ages over time. Understanding these differences is essential not just for appearance, but for functionality and longevity too.
At JA Milton Upholstery, we work closely with both professionals and hobbyists who craft or restore furniture using a wide range of wood types. To help you select the right timber for your next project, we’ve broken down the most popular wood species used in furniture-making—and how they differ.
Hardness: High
Grain: Prominent, coarse texture
Colour: Light tan to rich brown
Best for: Dining tables, cabinets, bookcases
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Hardness: Very high
Grain: Straight, fine texture
Colour: Pale cream to pinkish brown
Best for: Chair frames, workbenches, interior structures
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Hardness: Medium
Grain: Straight with smooth texture
Colour: Deep reddish-brown
Best for: Classic furniture, antique restoration
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Hardness: Moderate
Grain: Straight or wavy, elegant look
Colour: Light brown to dark chocolate
Best for: Desks, headboards, statement furniture
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Hardness: Softwood
Grain: Knotty, rustic character
Colour: Pale yellow to amber
Best for: Farmhouse-style furniture, beginner projects
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Hardness: High
Grain: Straight, oily texture
Colour: Golden brown
Best for: Outdoor furniture, benches
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Hardness: High
Grain: Fine, subtle
Colour: Light yellow to reddish-white
Best for: Modern cabinetry, plywood furniture
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Hardness: Very high
Grain: Fine, uniform
Colour: Cream to tan
Best for: Worktops, flooring, cabinetry
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When selecting wood for upholstered furniture, structural strength and flexibility matter just as much as appearance. For example:
Always match your fabric choices and finishes with the tone and texture of your wood. At JA Milton, we offer a wide range of materials and finishes to complement every wood species you work with.
Whether you’re building from scratch, restoring a treasured antique, or refurbishing second-hand furniture, JA Milton Upholstery has everything you need to bring out the natural beauty of wood.
We supply:
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