A piece of natural oak wood can take on virtually any hue; from light beige through brown and red. While white oak tends to look more beige-to-brown and red oak looks rosier, its not always easy to tell the difference between the various types of oak based on color alone.
More often than not, oak furniture will have warm undertones, from subtle reddish hues to deeper yellow tones. Stain colours will affect the final look and so darker shades tend to deepen those undertones, bringing out the reddish quality of oak.
Oak is celebrated for its dynamic, versatile golden to medium-brown colour and natural grain, suiting itself to many projects and architectural visions — European Oak is one such specie.
Light, neutral shades such as white, cream and pale grey are all excellent choices that will complement both light and golden oak.
For example, ash is lighter in colour than oak. It's also slightly more oval at the tips, while oak tends to be wavy. However, they share the same grain pattern, designs, and contrast.
They are both hardwoods that are strong, take finish well and are wonderful for making furniture with. White Ash (pictured on the left) is generally a much lighter wood species than White Oak (pictured on the right) but here is where it gets complicated. Wood is a living organic material and no two trees are identical.
Showcasing how powerfully the contrasting undertones of ash and oak can work together, this ash Cape Pendant lifts this space with its lighter wood – balancing out the darker oak found in the Arbor Armchair and May Coffee Table. A symphony of wooden tones.
Which colors best suit an oak wood trim? Compare lighter shades of oak with various darker paint colors (and vice versa) to determine the perfect match. You might choose complementing shades like smooth, velvety neutral shades, including beige, ivory, and gray as well as various hues of blue and green.
The best paint colours to coordinate, update and modernize oak (red, yellow, orange, pink, brown). Ideas for cabinets, flooring, trim, furniture and more...
Pale Oak can be described as a light greige with warm, yellow undertones. Greige paint colors are right in between a gray and a beige, and may appear more beige or more gray depending on their surroundings.
Red oak has a subtle pink undertone, while white oak has brown and yellow tones. So, when you stain each, the darker the stain, the less you will see of the yellow or pink. But if you use lighter paint, you will still see red oak's pink undertones. White oak is better with grey and lighter stains.
Oak has a light to middle brown colour with some reddish hues, complimented by a straight and tight grain pattern. Walnut can range anywhere from a light brown to a deep, dark chocolate hue. Though its grain is very open and more coarse than maple, walnut still has a beautiful, uniform surface.
Warm tones will appear as yellow, orange, or red. You'll find them in most unstained woods like walnut, white oak, red oak, and maple.
What Color is Oak Wood? A piece of natural oak wood can take on virtually any hue; from light beige through brown and red. While white oak tends to look more beige-to-brown and red oak looks rosier, its not always easy to tell the difference between the various types of oak based on color alone.
Pale Oak is a taupe. This means that it's a neutral paint color sitting in between gray and beige. However, while some taupes cater to gray or beige, Pale Oak hovers somewhere in the middle.
The most popular and common light hardwood floor is oak, usually red or white oak. Other common light-colored hardwoods are maple, ash, and pine.
Muted Neutrals
Macuga says dusty, chalky colors, like gray, sage, and mauve, will always shine next to oak cabinetry. “Natural oak is one of the warmest wood species, so it looks stunning when paired with colors that have deep, muted bases,” she explains.
A glaze layer is the secret ingredient to a great oak finish. A dark glaze emphasizes oak's beautiful strong grain. Glaze is nothing more than a thick stain applied over a sealed surface. Apply the glaze with a stiff brush across the grain.
A pop of magenta is the perfect accent with Pale Oak and navy blue. For a calm and relaxing palette, consider using blue-grays and dark blues. And for a more earthy palette, use a dark green and taupe as accent colors.
With dark wood cabinets, white and light paint colours look fantastic. Choose countertops in white, brown, black, or grey. Dark oak cabinets look great with off-white walls, maple or oak floors, and stainless steel hardware. Choose a dark oak kitchen table and stainless steel appliances as a finishing touch.
Ash can easily absorb shocks, which is why it's often used to make baseball bats. This quality also makes it great for high-traffic areas. Oak floors are not quite as elastic but still offer incredible durability. White Oak is especially resistant to moisture, making it an excellent option for bathrooms and kitchens.
Good pairings
white oak and walnut. cherry and maple. red oak and white ash. mahogony and cherry.
For example, if we have a light oak piece or finish we want to contrast, we'll likely pair it with a dark wood like walnut or stained maple. Designer note: If the wood tones in your space seem overwhelming, try balancing them out with a neutral-stained wood piece in black, white, or even light grey.