Every timber has its own colour, grain and character. The right choice depends on the look you want, what you're making and the room it will live in.
Explore our solid wood types below and see what makes each one different.
These aren't colours applied to the same material. Each is a different species of real wood, with its own grain, tone and natural variation.
Warm, distinctive and immediately recognisable. Oak has a pronounced natural grain and timeless appearance that works equally well in traditional and contemporary interiors.
Works particularly well for: Table tops, desktops, worktops, shelves and substantial pieces where the timber itself should be a feature.
Pale, clean and understated with a fine, even grain. Beech is a good choice when you want real solid wood without a heavily pronounced pattern.
Works particularly well for: Desktops, shelving, tables and clean contemporary furniture.
Rich, dark and full of character. Walnut combines deeper brown tones with expressive grain, making it ideal when the finished piece is intended to stand out.
Works particularly well for: Statement desktops, table tops, shelving and feature furniture.
Light in colour but far from plain. Ash has a pronounced, naturally flowing grain that gives it plenty of visual character while retaining a bright overall appearance.
Works particularly well for: Desktops, dining tables, shelving and lighter contemporary interiors.
Smooth, pale and subtle. Maple has a restrained grain and clean appearance that makes it particularly suited to modern spaces where a lighter timber is wanted.
Works particularly well for: Minimalist desktops, tables, shelves and contemporary interiors.
Characterful golden-brown timber with naturally varied tones. Iroko has a warm appearance that can develop further depth and richness over time.
Works particularly well for: Worktops, table tops and substantial pieces where warmer timber tones suit the room.
Warm and refined with distinctive reddish tones. One of Cherry's defining characteristics is the way its colour develops and deepens as the timber ages.
Works particularly well for: Furniture, table tops, desktops and pieces intended to gain character with age.
Deep, warm colouring and a naturally distinctive grain give Sapele a rich appearance. It is a strong choice when you want something noticeably darker than the paler European timbers.
Works particularly well for: Desktops, worktops, tables and furniture where deeper timber tones are wanted.
There isn't one best timber. Start with the colour and character you want, then consider how prominent you want the natural grain to be.
| Timber | Colour | Grain | Character | Particularly suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak | Warm, light-medium | Distinctive | Natural, timeless | Desktops, tables, worktops, shelves |
| Beech | Pale | Fine, even | Clean, understated | Desks, shelving, furniture |
| Walnut | Dark brown | Expressive | Rich, distinctive | Statement desktops and tables |
| Ash | Light | Pronounced | Bright, natural | Tables, desks, shelving |
| Maple | Very pale | Subtle | Clean, contemporary | Minimal interiors and desktops |
| Iroko | Golden brown | Varied | Warm, individual | Worktops and substantial pieces |
| Cherry | Reddish brown | Fine | Warm, develops with age | Furniture, desks and tables |
| Sapele | Deep warm brown | Distinctive | Rich, substantial | Desktops, worktops and furniture |
Solid timber isn't a printed surface. Colour, grain, markings and tone naturally vary from board to board. That's part of what makes a made-to-measure solid wood top individual.
Configure your piece to the dimensions you need, then choose your timber, thickness, finish and available options.
