7 ways to decorate with wood – designers share the best ways to make the most out of this versatile material

Wood is a timeless and versatile material that brings warmth, texture, and natural beauty to any interior design scheme. If you're looking for ways to decorate with wood around the home there are many different effects you can create, whether that's a rustic, contemporary, or classic look.

Whatever style you choose, decorating with wood in your home can enhance its charm and create a welcoming atmosphere. From hardwood floors to elegant wooden furniture, decorative wooden accents, and even wood-clad walls, the possibilities are endless with this timeless decor idea.

And we're not the only ones to appreciate the beauty of wood, we've asked our design experts to share their ideas for using wood in their decorating schemes. Together we’ll explore how to creatively use wood in various rooms of your home, sharing the designers' tips and inspiration for incorporating this sustainable material into your décor.

1. Choose wood for a California casual dining room

The warm tones of wood give a sophisticated edge to a California casual style dining room. Part of a whole house remodel by interior designer Sara Arntz, the dining room's furniture, floor and ceiling feature natural wood in all its glory.

'The house is in Bodega Bay on California's Sonoma Coast, and belongs to a young family,' says Sara. 'It built in 1976 and had that funky 60s/70s northern California beach house vibe. We wanted to keep an ode to that 70s beach style but breathe new life into the space. The original ceiling was similar but was very water damaged and so we replaced it with an angular pine paneled ceiling to pay homage to the original style of the house. We felt it added warmth as well as an interesting and textural design element to the space.'

2. Make modernist wood slats the stars of the show

In a Philadelphia city penthouse, what started as a featureless white box with an open plan eat-in kitchen has been transformed by the architects and designers at Kaminski + Pew, who specified a walnut wood wall. It's a residential design feature that is becoming increasingly popular, and we're big fans of a slatted screen like this.

'Our brief was simple: add texture and personality to the uninspired space,' says Kevin Kaminski, 'Our client grew up in Brazil and favored clean, straightforward design. With this direction as our starting point, we looked to Brazilian Modernism to inform the work. We wrapped the elevator core in vertical wood slats, selecting walnut for its richness and durability. We left the concrete exposed to bring in warmth and character. The simple application of the millwork totally transformed the space.'

3. Incorporate wood for a cabin-style vibe

Nothing says chic cabin décor quite like the natural beauty of wood. We're not talking heavily varnished orange pine log cabins here, but the subtle and livable earthy tones of timber-clad ceilings and kitchen cabinetry.

In this South Carolina lakeside home, interior designer Brad Ramsey chose to reflect the property's stunning setting by bringing the beauty of the woodland inside. The double-height ceiling in the family room is clad in dark wood to create a cozy room and textured feel even though it's a generously proportioned space.

The adjoining kitchen also gets the wood treatment, with cabinets of a lighter oak bringing additional warmth to the space.

'In this family room, we used wood to bring warmth, depth, and a natural sense of grounding to the open-concept space,' says Brad. 'The ceiling features white oak planks with a custom stain that highlights the grain while complementing the home's modern-rustic aesthetic. We carried that same oak onto the floors in a slightly lighter finish to keep the room feeling expansive and cohesive. For the kitchen cabinetry, we opted for rift-sawn white oak, chosen for its linear grain and refined look, which adds an element of sophistication while maintaining the organic palette. I love decorating with wood because it offers timeless texture, subtle warmth, and a strong connection to the outdoors – especially important in a home with views like this.'

4. Opt for smart, architectural built-ins for display shelves

The recent redesign of a 1960s Nova Scotia home, included updates to the living room. The design team at Canadian firm Stil James felt the previously bland room needed more depth and made their new living room storage solutions the stars of the show.

'The built-ins were designed to bring warmth and organic texture into a space that was reading quite contemporary with its white walls and open layout,' says interior designer and partner Natalie Owens. 'We wanted to move away from the typical neutral palette and add depth through natural materials. The built-in needed to feel intentional – more sculptural than standard – so we designed a custom silhouette that felt fresh and grounded. Their curved lines and rich wood tone balance the weight of the centered fireplace surround, helping the entire wall feel cohesive and elevated. The inspiration came from a desire to create something that felt both architectural and timeless.

'We used stained oak for its warmth and natural character. The shelves feature curved, reeded edges that add a subtle sculptural detail, and we turned them back into the wall to create a seamless, built-in look. The treatment gives the millwork a refined, custom feel while still letting the beauty of the wood shine through.'

5. Use peg board walls for fun and practical storage

San Francisco based interior designer Regan Baker came up with an ingenious and unusual solution for a kids' media and movie room storage system, incorporating pegboard walls and matching wood shelving. It's refreshing to see wood and pegboard used in this way, it's also a more creative way to embrace wood drenching ideas.

'Stain grade quarter sawn cerused white oak with clear satin finish was used for the pegboard wall and a pigmented pink stain for the desks, drawers, and shelves,' says Regan. 'The peg wall provides a flexible storage solution that evolves with the kids as they grow while also adding interesting texture. The wood also adds a welcome sense of warmth to the room which was originally very white and minimal. The shared space features pink walls and a blue sofa to showcase the two kids' favorite colors in one space.'

6. Discover the calm of a wood paneled bedroom

The decision to decorate with wood for this bedroom scheme was led by the natural landscape outside. Taking her inspiration from the scenery around the family home in Tahoe, CA, designer Regan Baker, uses cedar consistently throughout the interior of the house and on the exterior. The smooth contemporary wooden finish creates a pleasing contrast with the softer, vintage textiles in the room.

'Tahoe is such a beautiful part of California, and we wanted to honor the forests and mountains by using plenty of wood detailing. The cedar wall maintains the consistency of the wood throughout the home, while providing a perfect contrasting background to the client's collection of heirloom graphic quilts from her grandmother. A handmade art piece above the bed is crafted from a piece of wood found near the house and a vintage blanket found at the Alameda Flea Market.'

7. Highlight the rustic beauty of time-worn timbers

In a historic English country home it made sense to cherish and accentuate the natural patina of the original Georgian ceiling beams. Interior designer Katie Malik highlights the timeworn timber frame with a fresh white paint and an accent wall of wallpaper, but also layered in a new wooden feature. The custom-built bed surround was also designed in oak to further add to the warmth of the scheme.

Here's what Katie has to say about her style choices for the bedroom ideas. 'We incorporated wood to create a sense of coziness and sophistication, ensuring it complemented the overall aesthetic of this historic property. The choice of dark oak was intentional, as it enhances the room's warmth and ties in with the existing oak beams. Whether used on floors, ceilings, cabinetry, or furniture, wood adds a tactile quality that instantly makes a space feel inviting and grounded.'

For further inspiration and advice for decorating with wood, we explore how to mix different wooden tones like an interior designer in our dedicated piece.