When it comes to choosing wood for furniture or flooring, the color and look of the wood is often an important factor. Some people prefer light, bright wood tones like maple or ash that make a space feel open and airy. Others opt for darker woods that feel rich and warm. There are several wood species that are naturally darker and can provide those deep, dramatic tones in everything from kitchen cabinets to wood flooring. Here is an overview of some of the top dark wood types, their characteristics, and uses.
Walnut
Walnut is one of the most popular and commonly used dark woods. It has a rich, chocolate brown coloration with darker brown and black accents throughout. The wood has a straight, open grain pattern. Walnut stains very well, allowing it to be used on projects where an even darker color is desired.
Some key facts about walnut wood:
– It has a Janka hardness rating of 1,010 lbf which makes it decently hard and durable. However, it is softer than woods like maple or hickory.
– Native to North America and Europe. American black walnut is the most prized variety.
– Used for all types of furniture, flooring, cabinetry, gunstocks and more. Walnut creates a formal, elegant look.
– The cost is moderate – more than pine but less expensive than exotic woods. Expect to pay $8-15 per board foot.
– Has good dimensional stability after drying with minimal expansion/contraction.
So in summary, walnut is one of the premier dark wood species. It has a timeless, sophisticated look that suits traditional, contemporary or rustic interior design styles. The richness of walnut wood adds beauty and value to any furniture or wood product.
Ebony
Ebony is an extremely dark wood that is almost black in appearance. This exotic wood has a straight grain and very dense structure. Ebony has traditionally been used for small decorative items like piano keys, chess pieces, and string instrument fingerboards.
Some key facts about ebony wood:
– Has a Janka hardness rating of 3,160 lbf, making it significantly harder than walnut or mahogany.
– The blackish-brown heartwood accounts for most of the tree. Sapwood is a pale yellow.
– There are many species of ebony growing natively in Southeast Asia and Africa. Not all varieties produce the classic, jet black coloration.
– Used to create small musical instruments, pool cues, fine furniture, and other decorative items.
– Very expensive, priced from $20-50 per board foot. Availability is limited due to overharvesting.
Ebony’s extreme density, hardness, and color make it ideal for small, detailed wood products. It is too rare and costly for large-scale use. When polished, ebony has an eye-catching, glassy black look.
Cherry
Cherry is a very popular furniture wood that has a mildly dark reddish brown color. It also ages beautifully, developing a deeper, richer tone with use and exposure to UV light. Cherry has fine, straight grain patterns with occasional curled figures.
Key facts about cherry wood:
– Its hardness of 950 lbf is comparable to walnut. Good for use in cabinets and furniture.
– Cherry trees are native to North America, Europe, and Asia but the wood is primarily U.S. grown.
– Works well with a variety of stain colors from dark walnut to deep red tones.
– Used to construct tables, beds, cabinets, and various household furnishings. Turns and carves easily.
– Relatively affordable hardwood costing $5-8 per board foot on average.
Cherry’s smooth texture, subtle grain patterns, and ability to age gracefully make it a go-to choice for Mid-Century Modern and Arts & Crafts style furniture. It also suits Shaker and Mission style decor.
Mahogany
Mahogany is a classic dark wood prized for its rich, warm reddish-brown color that deepens over time. It has a moderately coarse, straight grain with some cases having a “ribbon” figure. Mahogany darkens to a deep red hue when stained.
Key mahogany wood facts:
– With a Janka hardness of 800-900 lbf, it is relatively soft and easy to cut.
– Grows natively in tropical regions of South America and Africa. Not a threatened species.
– Used extensively for furniture, boats, and cabinetry. Also used as veneers.
– Costs $5-9 on average per board foot. Among the least expensive tropical hardwoods.
– Dimensionally stable like walnut. Average expansion/contraction properties.
The refined, formal look of mahogany suits traditional styled furniture and interiors. It is also popular for yacht and boat building applications.
Teak
Teak is an exotic tropical hardwood that has an oily light brown to dark brown color. It has a coarse, uneven grain with natural oils that give it good weather resistance. Teak develops a silvery-grey patina when left unfinished and exposed to the sun.
Key facts about teak wood:
– Has an extremely high hardness rating of 1,070 lbf. Very dense and scratch resistant.
– Native to tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Not an endangered species.
– Best suited for outdoor use – commonly used in boats, decking, outdoor furniture, etc.
– Priced higher than domestic woods at $15-30 per board foot typically.
– Very stable wood – does not easily warp or crack with changes in temperature or moisture.
Teak’s natural weather resistance, hardness, and dimensional stability make this exotic wood an ideal choice for building outdoor furniture, park benches, docks, and other products meant for exterior use. It is too costly for most interior furnishings.
Rosewood
Rosewood refers to a group of tropical timbers with a distinctive reddish-brown to purple-black coloration when finished. Historically rosewood came from Brazilian species, but supplies are restricted now. The wood has a very dense, oily texture which requires sharp tooling.
Key facts about rosewoods:
– Most varieties have a hardness of over 2,500 lbf, making them extremely dense and scratch resistant.
– Grows in India, Brazil, and other tropical forest areas. Some species are endangered.
– Prized for use in upscale furniture, musical instruments like guitar backs/sides, and small decorative items.
– Very expensive – can exceed over $50 per board foot. Limited availability.
– Excellent dimensional stability properties overall. Very weather resistant.
The rich hues and hardness of rosewood make it ideal for small items and inlay work. Restricted supplies and high costs now limit full-size furniture building applications, however.
Wenge
Wenge is an exotic African wood with black coloration and unique brown streaks running across the grain. It has a very coarse texture and open pores. Wenge works easily with both hand and machine tools.
Interesting wenge wood facts:
– Extremely hard at 1,600 lbf rating. Twice as hard as oak. Scratch resistant.
– Native to tropical forests of Central Africa. Not an endangered species.
– Most often used to build small items like decorative boxes, furniture accents, cabinets, and veneers.
– Moderately priced for an exotic wood at $10-18 per board foot typically.
– Does not stain consistently due to porous nature. Often finished smooth and sealed.
The irregular black grain patterns make wenge stand out visually. It’s often paired with lighter woods in inlay work. The hardness also suits wenge for flooring applications. This wood adds dramatic visual interest.
Conclusions
There are many options when it comes to selecting darker toned woods. Black colored ebony and striped wenge provide an exotic, eye-catching contrast to lighter woods. For a more refined formal look, mahogany and walnut have timeless appeal. Teak offers great weather resistance for outdoor use. And cherry adapts well to a variety of stain colors. Consider the overall look you want to achieve, budget, and how smoothly the wood machines and finishes when choosing darker woods. Proper finishing and care will enhance both the color and grain patterns. Dark woods add bold visual interest and warmth to any space.
Tables Comparing Key Wood Properties
| Wood Type | Janka Hardness Rating | Cost Per Board Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut | 1,010 lbf | $8-15 |
| Ebony | 3,160 lbf | $20-50 |
| Cherry | 950 lbf | $5-8 |
| Mahogany | 800-900 lbf | $5-9 |
| Teak | 1,070 lbf | $15-30 |
| Rosewood | 2,500+ lbf | $50+ |
| Wenge | 1,600 lbf | $10-18 |
| Wood Type | Native Region | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut | North America, Europe | Furniture, cabinets, flooring |
| Ebony | Asia, Africa | Musical instruments, decorative items |
| Cherry | North America, Europe, Asia | Furniture, cabinets |
| Mahogany | South America, Africa | Furniture, boats, cabinetry |
| Teak | Southeast Asia | Outdoor furniture, boats |
| Rosewood | India, Brazil, other tropics | Furniture, instruments, decorative items |
| Wenge | Africa | Furniture, flooring, decorative items |
The tables above summarize some key characteristics of dark wood types for easy comparison. This includes hardness, cost, source regions, and typical uses.
Using Dark Woods
Here are some tips for selecting and using dark wood species effectively:
– Choose a wood suited for the project – some dark woods like ebony and rosewood are too hard for large furniture pieces. Consider hardness ratings.
– Sample stains on scraps first to test color outcomes with different woods before committing to a full project.
– Careful sanding and smoothing is important on open-grained woods like mahogany and teak for an even, consistent stain.
– Expect color and grain variation – these natural characteristics enhance the look of dark woods.
– Proper finishing is critical – use quality stains, sealers and topcoats to protect color and sheen.
– Allow for adequate drying time – dark woods benefit from slower drying to avoid defects.
– Combine with lighter woods, finishes or decor to create bold contrast in designs.
Darker woods require a bit more planning and care to showcase their dramatic colors and grains. But the end result of beautifully stained and smoothly finished mahogany, cherry, walnut or other species is well worth the extra effort.
