Trending: Light wood furniture

The desire for wooden furniture has recently taken a lighter note, swapping rich tones of mahogany and walnut for softer washes of oak and ash.

Contrary to their darker counterparts, pale timbers give homes a light and airy feel, with rustic, organic finishes evoking a fresh, coastal vibe.

Taking heed from the minimalist interior aesthetic, using light coloured furniture is synonymous with a simplistic way of life and conjures up images of a calmer existence, taking inspiration from the Scandinavian or Japandi style trends.

What woods are lighter in colour?

The types of wood that are naturally lighter in colour include American hard maple, beech, white oak, pine and ash.

All of these are a popular choice in the manufacturing of furniture and flooring.

Light oak furniture and flooring is a particular favourite due to its affordability, availability, strong quality, beautiful natural grain and high tannin content, which makes it extremely resistant to fungal and insect infections.

What colours go well with light wood?

Blessed with the ability to blend effortlessly into many spaces, light coloured wood is extremely versatile and complements countless colour schemes.

If your décor is dark, light wood offers a softness to the room, creating contrast and visual interest. 

In comparison, lighter wood also pairs perfectly with pastels and cooler shades of blues, pinks, greys and, of course, whites. 

You could also easily incorporate some earthy shades of light brown, beige and terracotta to give your home a grounding quality and sense of serenity.

The beauty of lighter furniture is that it provides a neutral backdrop with which to work, allowing you to add colour and personality using art and accessories.

In terms of flooring, light furniture works well with either a dark or light wooden floor, or try terracotta tiles for a holiday home look.  

For more wood flooring ideas, read our Engineered wood flooring guide.

Where in the home can you use light wood furniture?

Pale furniture adds an understated elegance to any space but makes for a particularly chic living room or bedroom set.

The natural grain and knots in light wood create an authentic, rustic look, perfect for a setting the scene for a peaceful sanctuary.

You should avoid using light coloured wood in high-traffic areas such as hallways as it is more likely to show up dirt.

In order to keep your room looking luminous, stick to two or three key pieces to avoid making your space look too busy.

Light wood living room furniture could consist of a coffee table, sideboard and end table.

Take a look at our popular Queensway Furniture Collection for a classic white and wood living room set.

A bedroom selection could include a bedside table, dressing table and wardrobe. Choose pieces with clean, simple lines to continue the fuss-free aesthetic.

Dining rooms are also a popular room of choice to furnish with paler pieces.

Create a stylish eating area with a light wood dining table and chairs, such as the Queensway Extending Dining Table and neutral dresser or console table, such as the Queensway Console Table. 

If you’re apprehensive about the transition to light furniture, choose a piece which combines both light and dark wood. Your space will take on a fresher feel as you introduce softer pieces to your selection.

Our Temple Furniture Range is an idyllic choice for dipping your toe into the light wood trend as it incorporates beautiful light and dark coloured designs, adding sophistication to any room.