Wood is a timeless material that brings warmth, texture, and a sense of natural beauty to interior spaces. When blended thoughtfully, multiple wood tones can create a depth and layered richness that transforms a home into a truly luxurious retreat. At Textures, we’re constantly inspired by how top designers artfully mix wood tones, navigating challenges while achieving harmony. Below, we share their expert strategies to help you confidently incorporate this technique into your designs.
Lori Paranjape: Elevating Consistency to Add Depth
Lori Paranjape of Mrs. Paranjape Design + Interiors believes in keeping wood floors consistent throughout a home to maintain a cohesive aesthetic. However, she adds depth and texture to her designs through painted oak cabinetry:
“We adore the unique textures and patterns that wood naturally brings to a project, but we are typically most in love with the wood floors that are consistent throughout the home. To build on the beauty of the floors and not compete, we use oak as the species for our cabinets but paint instead of stain them. The paint still allows the grain of the wood to show through, adding a depth we can’t get from a smooth species like maple. The texture of the oak brings a natural element to a painted cabinet without inserting an additional wood color tone to the design.”
This approach is a masterful way to introduce contrast without overpowering the visual harmony of a space. For Lori, it’s about letting each element shine while ensuring they complement one another. She encourages designers to explore how texture can add depth. Check out our Mrs. Paranjape’s projects for lots of examples of this tip!
Marie-Joe Bouffard: Layering Tones for Sophistication
For Marie-Joe Bouffard of JFY Designs wood tones are more than an aesthetic choice—they’re a storytelling tool. Mixing tones and species allows her to create spaces that feel warm, inviting, and layered with character:
“Wood is a great way to add texture and warmth to a home. Mixing wood species and tones allows you to achieve a layered look. My first consideration is overall style and vibe—is the house modern, classic, or traditional? Don’t be afraid to mix finishes but be mindful to select finishes and wood species that fit the style of the house and that complement each other in terms of tone.”
Marie-Joe thoughtfully considers the architectural elements, cabinetry, and furniture in her designs to maintain balance. She shares an example:
“If you’ve selected a light European oak finish for the floors, you could stain the oak ceiling beams in a spicier, darker brown to tell the story of a remodeled home, where the beams are original. Layering different wood species can seem daunting, but it can really elevate any space. The dramatic grain of walnut, for example, pairs really well with a very clean rift-sawn white oak.”
By embracing the natural grains and tones of different woods, Marie-Joe achieves spaces that feel timeless yet full of personality.
Clare Kennedy: Holistic Harmony with Intentional Choices
For Clare Kennedy of Clare Kennedy Interiors, balancing wood tones is an opportunity to add character to a space. She approaches projects holistically, considering how all the wood tones—along with furniture, architecture, and decor—will interact:
“I think having different tones is beautiful. It’s a way to add depth to a space and adds variation and texture. I love those warmer, darker wood tones, so it adds more character.”
In a custom home build in Austin, TX, Clare expertly incorporated different tones throughout the space:
“We had oak floors and cabinets, walnut furniture, and Douglas Fir beams, all working together. For instance, Michael [the client and homeowner] really wanted the breakfast table to be a light white oak, so I knew I didn’t want the dining table to be the same. We went with a dark walnut for the dining table, warm oak for the coffee tables, and a walnut bench behind the sofa. I wanted to bring in darker wood tones because we weren’t doing color anywhere.”
This thoughtful layering ensured every wood tone played a role in the design’s story, creating a cohesive, harmonious, and visually stunning result.
Pro Tips for Mixing Wood Tones in Design
From these expert insights, a few standout strategies emerge:
- Start with Consistency: A unified flooring tone—such as European oak—sets the foundation for layering additional wood tones.
- Layer for Depth: Introduce complementary tones in beams, cabinetry, and furniture to achieve a rich, layered effect.
- Leverage Texture and Grain: Highlight the natural beauty of wood through texture, even when tones remain consistent.
- Consider the Whole Picture: Balance wood tones with architectural elements, furniture, and decor for a cohesive and luxurious design.
- Don’t Be Afraid of Contrast: Pairing light and dark woods—like walnut and white oak—can create a dynamic visual story.
Find Your Inspiration with Textures
Mixing wood tones is an art that, when mastered, creates spaces that are rich, inviting, and full of character. By layering tones thoughtfully and considering the overall design style, you can achieve a timeless look that celebrates the beauty of natural wood.
For more expert advice and project inspiration, explore our Textures Project Showcase, schedule a design consultation or follow us on social media . Let’s work together to create luxury interiors that elevate every home!
Featured Photo Credits:
Photographer: Reed Brown Photo // Designer: JFY Designs
