Wood has been utilized as a construction material for many centuries. It has been used in various architectural structures, such as the Pyramids of Giza and the homes of the Renaissance period. In Europe, wood was incorporated into panels during the Romanesque design and became prominent during the Tudor era with carved walls. In Asian culture, wood was creatively used to create geometric screen windows and lacquered statues in pavilions. In colonial America, wood was manipulated to construct homes with wooden floors. Overall, wood has been known for its durability, versatility, beautiful texture, and accessibility throughout history.
Wood is used in modern interiors as a way to reinterpret existing concepts such as statement walls, high beams, finished ceilings, and treated floors. Its natural texture and warm appearance bring an honest and genuine feel to homes that heavily rely on steel and concrete. By grounding a room, wood enhances contemporary spaces and adds a touch of rusticity, creating an inspiring atmosphere.
Wooden panelled family rooms were popular in the 1970s. Today, wood-clad walls are influenced by the Scandinavian style and minimalist Zen. Instead of dark colors, neutral tones are often selected to create a calm atmosphere. These neutral walls can be easily decorated with a monochromatic palette or a vibrant burst of color. Designers sometimes use wood panels as a focal point on a corner wall, creating a contrast with plain concrete, brick, or stone surroundings.
The consistent lines of wood create a balanced visual symmetry, making it an ideal choice for various decor themes such as coastal, rustic chalet, oriental, and farmhouse. In smaller spaces like apartments, using wood accents in lighter shades can make the room appear larger and airier. For larger spaces, richer tones of wood can be utilized to create a more luxurious effect. Adding potted plants to highlighted corners further enhances the congenial atmosphere, with the green hues providing a nice touch of color and shape amidst the grains.
5 Tips for Decorating with Wood Furniture to Avoid a Dated Look
To update the appearance of old pieces, utilize the following suggestions on how to stylishly decorate with wood furniture.
1. Decorate with old wood furniture in new ways.
When considering alternative ways to decorate with wood furniture, try to think beyond its intended use. For instance, if your bedroom is already furnished, you can repurpose a wood dresser to serve beverages or store dishware in the dining room.
2. Style wood furniture with vintage finds.
To achieve an antique aesthetic, enhance the appearance of wooden furniture by pairing it with other retro items. Arrange midcentury chairs around a dining table made from salvaged wood, or exhibit a collection of dishware in a treasured hutch. Don’t hesitate to combine wooden furniture from different time periods or in diverse styles, as the weathered look will create a cohesive connection among the various pieces.
3. Embrace dark wood furniture with deep colors.
When dark wood furniture is placed in an all-white room, it may seem inappropriate. Rather than attempting to harmonize a deep stain with light, airy colors, it is recommended to embrace a moody assortment of saturated paint colors. For a bedroom, consider complementing dark cherry wood furniture with charcoal gray walls to establish a comfortable, cocoon-like ambiance. To avoid an excessively somber appearance, incorporate small amounts of white accessories.
4. Mix wood furnishings in a variety of tones.
If you’re unsure about which color to combine with wood furniture, it’s generally safe to go with other wood tones. Wood finishes frequently have undertones that can range from yellow, orange, red, and blue-gray to dark brown. When styling with mixed wood furniture, select additional accent pieces that share a similar undertone, regardless of whether their finish is considerably lighter or darker. Harmonize the overall look with neutral paint colors and natural materials.
5. Pair wood furniture with painted pieces.
When decorating a bedroom with dark wood furniture, it is important to mix carefully. This is especially true when dealing with dark finishes like cherry or walnut, as using too many wood pieces can make the space look heavy and crowded. If you have inherited a complete bedroom set of wood furniture, it is advisable to select one stand-out piece, like the bed or dresser, to keep in the room and get rid of the rest. You can either spread out the set in other rooms or pass on the unwanted pieces to someone else. Additionally, it is important to achieve a balance with the dark wood by opting for painted or metal finishes for other bedroom furniture pieces.
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