1. Consider the Wood’s Color Tones
Each type of wood has a characteristic color and grain pattern, and the wood color also can be altered with stain. Furniture makers have used stains and varnishes for centuries to enhance the grain’s appearance and change the color of the wood. The stains sold at home improvement centers are generally named for the types of wood they simulate, such as maple, cherry, walnut, mahogany, ebony, oak, and fruitwood. Over time, wood furnishings might also acquire a rich patina that gives the surface depth and complexity. Newer woods and veneers often lack this capability. However, they still have an overall color tone that can be yellow, orange, red-brown, bluish brown, or dark brown. To choose wall colors or fabrics that will enhance your wood pieces, consider the dominant hues in the finish to help guide your selections. You should also consider whether you prefer the drama of a high-contrast color scheme or the richness of low-contrast pairings. And don’t worry about all the wood pieces in a room matching; the gathered-over-time look of mixed woods is perfect for spaces with a casual, comforting ambience.
2. Use Contrast to Call Attention
A stark difference in the wood colors and paint and fabric hues in a room can make your wood furnishings or floors look even more distinct. Dark finishes, such as mahogany, walnut, or cherry, stand out in sharp relief against light colors, such as a pale green or blue or a hue from the sunny side of the color wheel. In the same way, light wood shows up boldly against dark or strong color on the walls. The contrast calls more attention to the furniture, a plus if you have a fine piece you want to spotlight. However, if you have a lot of dark furniture in a light-colored room, the space might feel busier than it would if the furniture blended in. To pull off the look of dark wood against light walls (or light furniture against dark walls), keep furniture arrangements orderly and streamlined to offset the impression of crowding. To achieve high contrast with medium-tone finishes, keep the wall color soft and light, creating as much difference as possible between the values of the wood color and the wall. You can also use the wood colors as a cue for wall colors. For example, if the dominant color in the wood appears to be red, then a green background will enhance and intensify the wood’s hue. Golden-yellow woods look handsome against warm red and earthy greens, teal, or eggplant. Brown woods with yellow undertones relate to buttery walls yet stand out boldly for high-contrast drama. Antique woods, which have a patina that offers depth and complexity, often combine several tones, which means they can look good against various light or dark colors.
3. Make a Subtle Statement
Pairing hues of equal intensity or value creates low contrast. This doesn’t necessarily mean the furniture fades into the background, however. For instance, when you put a dark mahogany chest or ebony table against a deep red or blue-green wall, you create a balance between two hues of equal strength. The value of the wood color equals that of the wall. The same principle works with medium brown woods and muted or medium-tone colors; the effect is more restrained because the tones are subdued. Warm neutral colors, such as taupe, mushroom, or khaki, bring out the rich, toasty notes in medium brown woods. The furniture shows up handsomely, but the effect is quiet and low-key, producing a different kind of drama from that created by high contrast.
4. Choose Complementary Colors
While color preferences are entirely personal, when choosing background colors for furniture, you may find that some are better than others at bringing out the natural beauty of wood. Consider these wood and color combinations that beautifully complement each other:
Pine wood + green: The warmth of honey-toned pine shows up well against a medium green. This shade can bring out the yellow tones in the wood and balance them with cool contrast. A pale gray-green is another attractive, low-key choice to pair with light wood tones. Orange-toned wood + blue: As these colors are directly opposite each other on the color wheel, bright, intense blue will highlight orange tones in the wood. This high-contrast look is great for those who love bold color, but it could be too intense for areas such as bedrooms when you want to encourage relaxation. Natural wood + yellow: Sunny shades of yellow bring out the warm tones in wood, creating a casual, inviting look. This color won’t actively enhance the wood with contrast, but the subtle variations in tone work to achieve a pleasing balance.
Do you consider yourself bright and cheery or are you more earthy and chill? Take the “What’s Your Signature Color?” quiz to find out what color palette best complements your style!
