Wood Finishes and Upholstery Fabrics: A Simple Guide Before You Order

Two pieces of furniture with the same design can look completely different depending on the wood finish and the fabric. Getting these two choices right is what makes furniture feel like it belongs in your space.

Choosing a wood finish

A finish does two jobs: it sets the colour of the wood and it protects the surface. When you compare finishes, think about the light in your room, the floor colour and how much wear the piece will get.

• Natural and light tones keep a space airy and suit Scandinavian, coastal and minimal interiors. They show the grain beautifully.
• Walnut and mid-brown tones are the most versatile and hide everyday marks well — a safe choice for restaurants.
• Dark tones look rich in hotels, bars and heritage interiors, especially against light walls.

Matt, satin or gloss?

Matt and satin finishes feel natural and hide fingerprints and fine scratches. Gloss looks dramatic but shows every mark, so it is better kept for low-touch pieces such as cabinets and display units.

Choosing upholstery fabric

Fabric changes the comfort, the colour and the maintenance of a piece. Start with how the furniture will be used:

Always decide from physical swatches

Screens change colours. A fabric that looks beige online can turn out grey, and wood tones shift a lot between daylight and warm evening lighting. Hold the wood swatch and fabric swatch together in the room where the furniture will live, and look at them in the morning and in the evening.

Pair one wood tone with one main fabric colour and one accent — it keeps a large project consistent and easy to reorder.

Our swatch library

WoodenEdge keeps a range of wooden finish swatches and upholstery fabric catalogues at our Jodhpur workshop, so every piece can be made in the combination that suits your space. Tell us about your project and we will help you shortlist finishes and fabrics.