One of the biggest decisions you’ll make if you’re renovating or building a home is which finishes you’ll select, particularly when it comes to wood finishes. These are the decisions that will have the greatest impact on both your budget and the outcome of your project. If you’re currently stuck in a state of freeze because you can’t decide how to move ahead, you’re not alone.

In my business I see homeowners stuck in neutral for far too long because they go around in circles trying to decide on the wood finishes for their home. The fear of making the wrong decision can be paralyzing but it doesn’t have to be like that. Instead, understanding the difference between trends and timeless materials will help you get unstuck and feel positive about forging ahead.

What Does Timeless Mean?

Things that are timeless are not subject to the trends of today. They are the classic items that are always loved and appreciated and they’re so good that they’re unaffected by trends.

When we think of timeless in fashion we might instantly think of a little black dress, a silk blouse or an elegant gold necklace. These can be worn at any time regardless of what the trend in clothing might look like.

The same goes for materials in our homes. Some are beautiful and here for today while others are for forever and don’t ever really go away. They exist quietly and help to build a foundation for all the materials to work harmoniously together.

The confusing part in determining whether a wood material is classic or trendy is how much we’re seeing it. When you see a material in every home decor magazine you pick up as well as in every Pinterest image you can assume it’s a trend but is it? Sometimes the classic materials are trending which is different.

Even classic materials can have a moment in the spotlight but that won’t take away from their everlasting nature. It’s more about the historical relevance of the material. Is it brand new or did it just become popularized only to be replaced shortly?

The Impact of Your Decision on Your Home

Cabinetry and flooring are some of the biggest financial decisions we’ll make, not to mention the visual impact they have on the end result. It stands to reason that you’ll feel nervous about your decisions.

The best advice I have if you’re in that stage of the decision making for your own home is stick to classic materials. Trends have a place in your home but I try to always stick to timeless, classic materials when selecting flooring and cabinetry. Even if that means your home doesn’t have that “it” quality that is showing up in design magazines.

You want to select wood finishes that will never date. This will give you the longest life before you need to replace your wood finish. For example, the white kitchen has been trending hard for the last decade and now we’re seeing it replaced by bold, saturated colours instead. While I do think white is timeless it’s been caught up in a trend and now you may feel your white kitchen is dated. Give it time and it will feel timeless as we all agree to adore the latest colour trend.

Which Wood Finish Is Timeless?

Regardless of the wood species you select, the decision around stain finish on your wood will have a huge aesthetic impact. Here are the finishes we’ve seen over the last few decades as well as my thoughts on their longevity and timelessness.

1/ Orange Toned Wood

This speaks to the gold/orange maple we saw during the late 90’s and early 2000’s. A lot of homeowners fell for the orange maple floors and while they could still look good in a very traditional home I would probably go for something less orange and more honey toned if you love maple.

2/ Cherry Wood

This is another one from the 90’s that homeowners were obsessed with. We saw a lot of heavy red and red/purple stain, mostly on kitchen cabinets. I would avoid this colour altogether because it can feel very heavy and will look dated before it’s even had a chance to shine.

3/ Espresso Toned Wood

This was the wood finish of choice for many homeowners in the 2000’s for both flooring and cabinetry. While it’s not popular at the moment I do think it’s timeless and if you love this look it’s relatively safe.

I would try to avoid a high contrast look like we saw in the 2000’s and instead work with warm, neutral tones like sands and creams to complement the dark espresso.

4/ Mid Toned Wood

This is the most classic finish you can select for a wood and it’ll never feel dated. If you’re looking for a wood finish that has longevity the very best decision would be a mid-toned finish like a teak or walnut.

Like I mentioned earlier, the best way to determine whether something is classic is to look back in history. This type of finish has been used for centuries so you’ll have no worries about it dating.

5/ Light Finish

We’re in the midst of this trend for both cabinetry as well as flooring. While it’s certainly going to take a back seat at some point, I would still consider it a classic, timeless finish. Light oak is a classic look that is easy to live with and can be loved and appreciated regardless of what’s hot in design.

6/ Gray Wash Finish

If you’ve been a lover of modern farmhouse design you’ve likely seen your share of this rustic finish. We’ve all seen Joanna Gaines work her magic and a lot of times that included a gray wash flooring or cabinetry. And while they look great in a farmhouse I don’t think they have longevity for the rest of us.

If you live in an urban or suburban setting I would avoid this finish. Its rustic nature leaves it feeling awkward in the wrong space and I don’t see it as a timeless material that will remain relevant forever.

7/ Taupe Finish

Today’s hottest wood is oak hardwood and the stain that’s most commonly used is the taupe finish. This is a milky wash finish that has a slightly pink and/or purple tone to it.

I believe this is one of the most difficult stain finishes to work with. Its strong undertones will dictate the finishes you use on your other fixed elements like tile, counters and wood finish on cabinetry. This is a warning to not hop on the bandwagon of what’s trending without fully understanding the implications for your material selections.

Selecting the Best Wood for Flooring

Understanding how wood finish impacts your overall design aesthetic is important to mastering design. It’s equally important that you don’t neglect the wood type that you’ll use in your home. This is going to impact the longevity and overall enjoyment you receive so it’s important to know the differences when making a selection.

1/ Solid Hardwood

This is the Mercedes of flooring but it’s still something you need to consider before making the investment. We can all be seduced by the beautiful texture, knots and grain of solid wood but is it right for you?

There are plenty of benefits to solid hardwood including its durability. Since this is a solid wood you can sand and resand many times which means you’ll likely never replace this type of flooring during your lifetime.

It also has the most luxurious appearance but beware if your flooring tends to be exposed to moisture on a regular basis. This will not hold up well if you or your pets walk through your home with wet feet or paws. This can cause warping and cupping of the wood which can lead to uneven surfaces that will create tripping hazards in your home.

It’s also prone to scratching so it’s not ideal for families with young children where toys and crafts can cause damage.

2/ Engineered Hardwood

If solid wood isn’t in the cards for you, consider engineered hardwood. It is made from layers of plywood or wood fibres and then topped with layers of wood veneer which is finished with a protective urethane finish. It’s extremely stable and won’t warp or separate.

This type of wood is moisture resistant and doesn’t require much maintenance so it’s much better for families with young children and pets.

2/ Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP)

If you want the look of solid hardwood without the worry and maintenance, this might be the perfect replacement material. This product has gained a lot of popularity for how closely it mimics the look of real wood. It’s made to resemble real wood and it really is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between real wood and a quality LVP.

The best part about LVP is that it’s waterproof, low maintenance, is able to absorb sound and is affordable. If that doesn’t sound like the perfect recipe for family life, I don’t know what does.

Selecting the Best Wood for Cabinetry

Just like flooring, cabinets take a beating from daily use in our homes. We want them to look great but they need to be able to withstand the day to day use and last for many years.

1/ Solid Wood

It’s most common for doors and drawer fronts to be made from solid wood while the box of the cabinet is made from plywood. This allows expansion and contraction from temperature changes and the boxes will remain stable and intact.

If you want to use a solid wood front the best choices are maple, oak or cherry. These are all strong hardwoods that will stand up to the test of time.

There are also exotic woods like mahogany and walnut that are available but they tend to be on the pricier side.

2/ Engineered Wood

This is a type of wood created from gluing together thin layers of wood veneer. It’s a much more affordable option compared to solid wood but it’s also extremely durable and stable.

When it comes to engineered wood there are 2 category types - medium density fibreboard (MDF) and high density fibreboard (HDF). Both of these are made by combining wood fibres with a resin binder. HDF is a bit more dense and tends to be more durable.

These are both affordable options that have smooth surfaces which are ideally suited for painting.

Choosing What’s Best For You

At the end of the day there’s nothing wrong with any selection you make. Here are a few questions that will help you determine whether it’s a good choice or you’re being pressured by images you’re currently seeing everywhere.

1/ Is this a choice you’d make if you weren’t seeing it in magazines and on Pinterest?

2/ Is there any historical reference for this material?

3/ Is it simple and clean in its aesthetic?

4/ Do you love it?

The last question is the most important because if you truly love something it’s never the wrong decision.

If you need help deciding on finishes for your own new build or renovation, reach out to me. I’d love to hear about your upcoming project and see how I can help you.

Warm regards,

Adrienne

Selecting Wood Finishes That Are Timeless