Types of Wood Commonly Used in Furniture And How They Differ

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.

1. Oak

Hardness: High
Grain: Prominent, coarse texture
Colour: Light tan to rich brown
Best for: Dining tables, cabinets, bookcases
Highlights:

  • Incredibly durable and long-lasting
  • Accepts stains well and develops a beautiful patina with age
  • Heavy and dense, can be harder to cut

2. Beech

Hardness: Very high
Grain: Straight, fine texture
Colour: Pale cream to pinkish brown
Best for: Chair frames, workbenches, interior structures
Highlights:

  • Excellent for bending and shaping
  • Stable under stress, with great shock resistance
  • Slightly prone to swelling if not sealed properly

3. Mahogany

Hardness: Medium
Grain: Straight with smooth texture
Colour: Deep reddish-brown
Best for: Classic furniture, antique restoration
Highlights:

  • Easy to work with and polish
  • Naturally resistant to warping
  • More expensive and often imitated

4. Walnut

Hardness: Moderate
Grain: Straight or wavy, elegant look
Colour: Light brown to dark chocolate
Best for: Desks, headboards, statement furniture
Highlights:

  • Visually striking and strong
  • Excellent for carving and detailed work
  • Premium material—often priced higher

5. Pine

Hardness: Softwood
Grain: Knotty, rustic character
Colour: Pale yellow to amber
Best for: Farmhouse-style furniture, beginner projects
Highlights:

  • Lightweight and budget-friendly
  • Easy to paint or stain
  • Prone to dents and scratches

6. Teak

Hardness: High
Grain: Straight, oily texture
Colour: Golden brown
Best for: Outdoor furniture, benches
Highlights:

  • Extremely resistant to water, decay, and pests
  • Ages beautifully to a silver-grey if left untreated
    Considerations:
  • Very dense and often costly

7. Birch

Hardness: High
Grain: Fine, subtle
Colour: Light yellow to reddish-white
Best for: Modern cabinetry, plywood furniture
Highlights:

  • Clean, contemporary appearance
  • Accepts stain and varnish evenly
  • Can be difficult to stain without blotching

8. Maple

Hardness: Very high
Grain: Fine, uniform
Colour: Cream to tan
Best for: Worktops, flooring, cabinetry
Highlights:

  • Extremely durable
  • Smooth surface, ideal for clean finishes
  • Can burn under high-speed tools

Choosing the Right Wood for Upholstery

When selecting wood for upholstered furniture, structural strength and flexibility matter just as much as appearance. For example:

  • Beech and oak are ideal for frames due to their rigidity and load-bearing capabilities.
  • Pine is commonly used for budget-friendly furniture, but may require reinforcement over time.
  • Walnut and mahogany add premium appeal to visible parts like arms, legs, and trims.

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.

Bring Your Wooden Furniture to Life with JA Milton Upholstery

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:

  • Premium upholstery tools and supplies
  • A wide range of wood polishes, waxes, and finishes
  • Expert resources to guide you through every stage of your project

Visit us at JA Milton Upholstery