Using Wood Colors to Invoke Certain Moods and Impressions

Color in interior decorating often refers to—at least in many people's minds—the colors of furniture fabric or of the wall and carpet. It's the artwork and the knick-knacks around the room. But wood also provides color that affects how a room looks. The wood can change the mood of the room, no matter what other fabric and artwork colors you add because the items made of wood are usually very prominent. These are the tables, chairs, cabinets, and more that sit in various spots around the room. Using a shade of wood that gives off a different mood than you want for a room can make the room look unbalanced. But if you find that shade you want, you can turn the room into a haven.

Darker, Redder Finished Wood for Classic and Elegant Rooms

More elegant rooms, or at least the impression that a room is meant to be elegant, rely on darker and often reddish-brown woods like mahogany. These pieces of furniture are also finished with a nice, glossy sealant. When you want a room to look more formal and stately, go for those smoother, darker woods that have a dark stain that tends to cover up the grain.

Dark Matte Colors for Utilitarian Rooms

You can also find darker wood that is finished with a matte stain. These are great for utilitarian rooms in which you don't want to use particle board or veneers. The matte finish doesn't draw attention away from whatever else is going on in the room and clearly says (in a visual way) that the furniture is meant to be practical.

Light Golden or Blonde Shades for Airy, Fresh Spaces

Lighter wood finishes, like light colors, tend to open up a space and give it an airier feel. You can find lighter brown and golden colors as well as the blonde wood you often see used for cabinets and more casual furniture. And these colors do tend to be more casual and relaxing, so if that's the mood you want in the room, these are the wood shades to look for.

Gray or Chalk Colors for Visually Quieter Rooms

Gray is such an underrated color. Certainly, some shades of gray can be very flat and unappealing, but others are cool and quiet colors that are great for restful, quiet rooms. A grayish-chalk headboard, for example, doesn't visually take over, but it's still apparent that there's something at the head of the bed providing visual support.

Consider wood furniture carefully before buying for particular rooms. Look at furniture from companies that offer many options, such as Sauder Furniture, so that you have the best chance of finding pieces that will make your home look terrific.