Best Wood for Furniture: Walnut vs Maple (And More)

|Alex Ruiz

Introduction

Choosing the right wood is one of the most important decisions when buying furniture.

Let’s compare the most popular options.

Here's the Janka Hardness Scale showing wood species from Hardest(Top) to "Softest"(Bottom)

 


Here are all the species of lumber I currently offer. I'm sure I can get other species, these are just the most available to me. Contact me and let me know your looking for a species not listed in my catalog.





 Walnut

  • Dark, rich color
  • Premium look
  • Strong and durable
  • Higher cost

 Maple (Including Wormy Maple)

  • Light color with unique character
  • Very Durable and versatile
  • More affordable than walnut

 Oak

  • Classic grain pattern
  • Very strong
  • Mid-range pricing

 Pine

  • Budget-friendly
  • Softer wood
  • More prone to dents

So, Which One Should You Choose?

  • Luxury look? 
  • Unique character? 
  • Durability + value? 

There’s no “best” wood—only what fits your style, budget, and needs. I would choose wood species by the color/tone/character you want to see. Then as your choosing the species, check back to the Janka scale to make sure the one you pick will be durable enough to handle everyday life.

For example, I'd choose a harder wood for things like table tops and cabinet doors. And the hardness is less important when making things like shelves or decoration pieces.


Not sure which wood is right for your project? I can help you decide.

Contact me

Start Project
Custom Furniture displayed on showroom floor. Custom Coffee table, walnut base, wormy maple top

Back to Blogs

Introducing our latest products, made especially for the season. Shop your favorites before they're gone!

ARFC Blog Posts

Featured Items

Shop my select catalog of featured items I offer other than furniture.

Shop now

About Me

Meet the owner of A.R. Finish Carpentry, and learn more about how the business came about.

About