How to Choose the Right Wood for Your Custom Furniture

Why Wood Selection Matters

After 60 years at the bench, I can tell you that the wood you choose will define your piece more than any other decision. The grain pattern, the color, the way it ages — wood has a personality, and your job as a craftsman is to listen to it.

The Big Four Hardwoods

Walnut

Walnut is my go-to for heirloom furniture. It's strong, works beautifully with hand tools, and develops a rich, warm patina over decades. I recently completed a 52-inch round table for a client in Cincinnati with a stunning walnut base — the grain told its own story.

Best for: Dining tables, desks, cabinets

Cherry

Cherry starts pale and deepens to a gorgeous reddish-brown with sunlight exposure. It's softer than walnut but carves like a dream. If you want a piece that transforms over the years, cherry is your wood.

Best for: Bedroom furniture, bookcases, display cabinets

Curly Maple

There's nothing quite like curly maple when the light hits it. The figuring creates a three-dimensional shimmer that photographs can't capture. I've been fortunate to work with exceptional curly maple over the years — the kind of figuring that makes a piece truly special.

Best for: Accent pieces, musical instruments, fine boxes

Exotic Hardwoods

From purpleheart to zebrawood, exotic species offer colors and grain patterns you simply can't find domestically. I keep a curated selection in the shop for clients who want something truly one-of-a-kind.

Best for: Tabletops, inlays, accent panels, statement pieces

Pine: The Underrated Hero

Don't overlook pine. For my Blessed Resting Boxes — handcrafted memorial boxes for beloved pets — I use select pine that's both beautiful and meaningful. Pine is warm, takes stain well, and has a natural softness that feels right for a memorial piece.

How to Choose

1. Consider the purpose. A dining table needs hardwood durability. A decorative box can use softer, more figured species.
2. Think about aging. Cherry darkens, walnut mellows, maple stays relatively stable.
3. Trust your hands. Pick up the board. Feel the grain. A craftsman's hands know more than his eyes.
4. Ask your woodsmith. I'm always happy to walk clients through my wood selection — it's one of the best parts of the process.

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Have questions about wood for your project? Contact me and let's talk about what species will bring your vision to life.