Wood: overview of wood species, their properties and uses in interiors and the kitchen
Wood is a timeless natural material – it brings warmth to interiors, feels pleasant to the touch, and with proper workmanship it can last for years. However, each wood species has different characteristics: hardness, grain, color and resistance to moisture can vary a lot. Below you’ll find a clear overview of where different woods are typically used, what their benefits are, and also which wood to choose for kitchen accessories (cutting boards, wooden spoons, bowls).
If you’re looking for a specific material, you can click the links and browse products made from individual wood species (solid wood, veneer and plywood).
Why choose wooden products
- Natural look – wood grain is unique; every piece is one of a kind.
- Long lifespan – quality solid wood is very durable and can often be renewed.
- Eco-friendly choice – a renewable material suitable for sustainable living.
- Easy maintenance – minor scratches can often be sanded out or re-oiled.
Quick directory: products by material
Beech (solid) • Oak (solid) • Walnut (solid) • American walnut (solid) • Maple (solid) • Maple (veneer) • Ash (solid) • Birch (solid) • Linden / Limewood (solid) • Alder (solid) • Alder with bark • Spruce (solid) • Cherry • Apple wood • Mahogany (solid) • Mahogany (veneer) • Gabon (solid) • Beech plywood • Poplar plywood • Veneer • Mixed wood combinations
Hardwood vs. softwood: what it means in practice
Hardwood (e.g. oak, beech, ash) is usually more scratch-resistant and handles daily wear better. That’s why it’s great for tables, frequently used kitchen accessories (boards, spoons) and other high-use surfaces.
Softer wood (e.g. spruce or linden / limewood) is easier to work with, but typically more sensitive to dents. It’s excellent for decorations, small accessories and carving projects.
It’s not just about “hardness” though – stability, humidity, surface finish, and how often you’ll use the item also matter.
How to recognize quality wood (and why workmanship matters)
- Drying & stability – properly dried wood “moves” less (less warping and cracking).
- Surface – smooth, without raised fibers. For kitchen items, this also matters for hygiene.
- Joints & bonding – solid joints are important for larger pieces and plywood products.
- Finish – oil/wax enhances grain and is easy to refresh; lacquer forms a stronger barrier but is harder to repair locally.
- Purpose – for cutting boards, choose wood with a finer structure; for décor you can go for more pronounced grain.
Quick navigation: choose a wood species
Beech • Oak • Walnut / American walnut • Maple • Ash • Birch • Linden / Limewood • Alder • Spruce • Cherry • Apple wood • Mahogany • Gabon • Plywood • Veneer • Mixed woods • Exotic wood • Wood for the kitchen
Common wood species: benefits and typical uses
🌳 Beech wood (beech solid)
Properties: hard, strong, fine texture.
Benefits: high resistance to mechanical wear, versatile use.
Typical uses: solid wood furniture, children’s products, kitchen accessories, stairs.
Tip: Beech is a great all-round choice if you want a smart balance of durability and price – and it works well in the kitchen, too.
Products: beech solid • beech plywood
🌳 Oak wood (oak solid)
Properties: very hard, heavier, pronounced grain.
Benefits: outstanding durability, premium and traditional look.
Typical uses: solid tables, dressers, floors, statement interior elements.
Tip: If you’re choosing wood for heavily used items (tabletop, cutting board), oak is a “safe bet”.
Products: oak solid
🌰 Walnut wood (walnut solid / American walnut)
Properties: darker tone, elegant grain.
Benefits: premium look, high aesthetic value, timeless style.
Typical uses: designer furniture, luxury accessories, representative interiors.
Tip: Walnut feels “premium” – that’s why it’s perfect for gifts and design-focused pieces.
Products: walnut solid • American walnut solid • walnut
🍁 Maple wood (maple solid / maple veneer)
Properties: light-colored, hard, smooth surface.
Benefits: modern look, fine texture, easy maintenance.
Typical uses: kitchen accessories, worktops, bright modern furniture.
Tip: Maple is often chosen for Scandinavian and modern interiors – it looks clean and brightens the space.
Products: maple solid • maple veneer
🌳 Ash (solid)
Properties: hard, elastic, pronounced grain.
Benefits: high strength, good durability, often a livelier grain than beech.
Typical uses: furniture, accessories, interior elements, high-use surfaces.
Tip: Ash is a great compromise: tough like oak, but often with a more “lively” pattern.
Products: ash solid
🌳 Birch (solid)
Properties: light, strong, fine texture.
Benefits: clean modern appearance, versatile use, good durability.
Typical uses: kitchen accessories, modern interiors, small household items.
Tip: Birch is great if you want a light wood, but not as “white” as maple.
Products: birch solid
🌿 Linden / Limewood (solid)
Properties: softer, light, fine-grained.
Benefits: very easy to work with, ideal for detailed shaping.
Typical uses: decorations, carving products, small interior pieces.
Tip: Linden is popular for fine shapes and detail work – perfect for décor.
Products: linden / limewood solid
🌳 Alder (solid) / Alder with bark
Properties: warmer tone, medium hardness.
Benefits: pleasant look, versatile for smaller items.
Typical uses: decorations, accessories, rustic style.
Tip: The bark-edged version is perfect for rustic gifts – every piece is unique.
Products: alder solid • alder with bark
🌲 Spruce (solid)
Properties: light, lightweight, straight grain.
Benefits: great value for money, clean simple look.
Typical uses: decorative items, frames, lighter furniture.
Tip: Great for light accessories and décor in bright interiors.
Products: spruce solid
🍒 Cherry
Properties: warm tone, elegant grain.
Benefits: design-forward look, often ages into an even warmer color.
Typical uses: small accessories, décor, serving pieces.
Tip: Cherry is popular for gifts – it feels warm and elegant.
Products: cherry
🍏 Apple wood
Properties: more distinctive grain, natural character.
Benefits: unique look, often highly decorative.
Typical uses: design accessories, small household items.
Tip: Apple wood is great when you want something truly “uncommon”.
Products: apple wood
🌺 Mahogany (solid) / Mahogany veneer
Properties: exotic, darker, luxurious.
Benefits: representative look, “wow factor” for gifts.
Typical uses: design products and gifts.
Products: mahogany solid • mahogany veneer
🌍 Gabon (solid)
Properties: exotic wood, striking appearance.
Benefits: premium feel, unique character.
Typical uses: luxury accessories, design products.
Products: gabon solid
🪵 Plywood: beech and poplar
What plywood is: a layered material that is often dimensionally stable and strong – useful where shape stability matters.
Beech plywood: stronger and more durable, suitable for stable products.
Poplar plywood: lightweight and practical for larger, lighter accessories.
Products: beech plywood • poplar plywood
🪵 Veneer (general) + maple & mahogany veneer
What veneer is: veneer is a thin layer of real wood on the surface – you get the look of wood with lower weight.
Typical use: decorative products and accessories with expressive grain.
Tip: Veneer is ideal when you want the appearance of wood but the item should be lighter or more stable.
Products: veneer • maple veneer • mahogany veneer
🎨 Mixed wood combinations
Properties: contrast, design effect.
Benefits: every piece is unique thanks to mixed tones and grains.
Typical uses: gifts, décor, bold design accessories.
Products: mixed wood combinations
How to choose wood by interior style
- Modern & minimalist: maple, birch, light combinations and clean lines.
- Rustic / cottage style: oak, alder, and alder with bark for a natural edge.
- Luxury, darker interiors: walnut, American walnut, mahogany.
- Scandinavian style: maple and other light woods to visually brighten the space.
Which wood to choose for kitchen items
Wooden kitchen accessories (such as cutting boards, wooden spoons, bowls or kitchen ladles) come into contact with water, heat and food. That’s why it pays to choose woods that are durable, have a fine structure and handle regular oiling well.
- For cutting boards: beech (strong and durable) or oak (very durable, pronounced grain) are ideal. Maple is also great for a light look and smooth surface.
- For spoons and utensils: beech and maple are practical – hard, easy to maintain and comfortable in hand.
- For bowls and serving: for a premium look, consider walnut. For a light minimalist style, maple is excellent.
👉 Recommended woods for the kitchen: beech • oak • maple • walnut
Kitchen wood care: oiling and cleaning step by step
- Rinse after use and dry immediately – prolonged moisture is the most common cause of warping and cracking.
- Don’t leave boards soaking in water – wash briefly and dry right away.
- Oiling – if the wood looks gray, feels dry or absorbs water quickly, refresh the oil (always use a food-safe oil).
- Removing odors – a quick wipe with lemon helps, then rinse (without long soaking).
- Stains – light stains are often fixed by gentle sanding and re-oiling.
Note: Wood generally does not belong in the dishwasher. Hot water, long moisture exposure and detergents can cause warping, cracking and faster wear. For maximum lifespan, use hand washing, quick drying and regular oiling.
Quick table: which wood to choose by use
| Wood / material | Main benefit | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Beech (solid) | Strength and durability | Furniture, children’s products, boards, spoons, kitchen accessories |
| Oak (solid) | Extreme lifespan, pronounced grain | Tables, dressers, floors, boards, statement elements |
| Ash (solid) | Strength + flexibility | Furniture, high-use surfaces, interior accessories |
| Maple (solid) | Brightness + smooth surface | Kitchen accessories, modern interiors, boards, bowls |
| Birch (solid) | Clean light look | Kitchen accessories, modern interior accessories |
| Walnut (solid) | Luxurious dark tone | Designer furniture, premium accessories, serving bowls |
| American walnut (solid) | Premium appearance | Gift and design products, serving |
| Alder (solid) | Warm tone | Accessories, décor, small household items |
| Alder with bark (solid) | Rustic look | Décor and gifts with a natural edge |
| Spruce (solid) | Light, clean look | Accessories, frames, lighter furniture (mostly decorative in kitchens) |
| Linden / Limewood (solid) | Lightweight + easy to work | Carving products, décor, small accessories |
| Cherry | Warm tone | Design accessories, décor, serving |
| Apple wood | Distinctive grain | Gift and decorative products, household accessories |
| Mahogany (solid) | Exotic luxury look | Premium accessories, design products, gifts |
| Mahogany (veneer) | Exotic look with lower weight | Veneered products and decorations |
| Maple (veneer) | Bright modern look | Veneered products and decorations |
| Veneer (general) | Solid-wood look with lower weight | Veneered products and accessories |
| Beech (plywood) | Stability + strength | Plywood products, dimensionally stable accessories |
| Poplar (plywood) | Lightweight | Plywood products, larger and lighter accessories |
| Gabon (solid) | Exotic character | Luxury accessories, gift and design products |
| Mixed wood combinations | Contrast + originality | Gifts, décor, bold interior accessories |
Most common mistakes when choosing and caring for wood
- Dishwasher – the fastest route to warping and cracking.
- Long soaking – wash boards briefly and dry; don’t leave them in the sink.
- No maintenance – untreated wood dries out and absorbs moisture faster.
- Wrong species choice – for kitchen accessories, choose a finer structure (often beech, maple).
How to extend the lifespan of wooden products
- Protect wood from prolonged moisture – always dry after contact with water.
- Refresh the finish regularly – oil/wax protects grain and color (use food-safe oil for kitchen items).
- Avoid extremes – strong heat, direct sun and radiators dry wood out.
FAQ: Most common questions about wood
For heavily used furniture (e.g. a dining table), hardwoods such as oak, beech or ash work well. For lighter accessories and décor, spruce is also a great choice.
For kitchen accessories, beech (strong and durable) and maple (smooth and light) are ideal. For cutting boards, oak can also be excellent if you want extra durability and a pronounced grain.
Among European woods, oak and beech are among the most durable. Ash also offers great strength and flexibility. Durability always depends on surface finish and proper care as well.
In the kitchen, woods with a fine structure that are easy to clean and oil are often chosen – typically beech and maple. Always dry boards after washing and oil them regularly with a food-safe oil.
A dishwasher combines high temperature, prolonged moisture and detergents – this can cause warping, cracking and faster surface wear. Wash wooden products by hand, briefly, and dry immediately.
As a rule: when the wood feels dry, looks dull or absorbs water quickly, it’s time to oil it. For frequently used boards, that can be every 2–4 weeks; for less used items, every 1–3 months is usually enough.
Use a food-safe oil (e.g. mineral oil for boards or specialized kitchen wood oils). Apply a thin layer, let it soak in, then wipe off the excess.
A quick wipe with lemon (or gently with baking soda), a short rinse and thorough drying helps. If the board is older and heavily saturated, light sanding and fresh oiling can help too.
The cause is often prolonged moisture or the dishwasher. For small cracks, letting the wood stabilize in a dry place and then re-oiling may help. For surface issues, light sanding and oil/wax treatment can also work.
Solid wood is full wood. Veneer is a thin layer of real wood glued to a base material. Plywood is a layered material that is often dimensionally stable and strong.
For a premium look, walnut (including American walnut), mahogany or exotic woods like gabon are often chosen. Products made from mixed wood combinations can also look very striking.
For modern and minimalist styles, maple and birch are excellent – they look clean and help brighten the room. For a warmer tone, alder can be an interesting option.
Wood is a beautiful and durable material, but the key is choosing the right species for the right purpose. Beech is a versatile choice for home and kitchen, oak offers maximum lifespan and pronounced grain, maple fits bright modern interiors, and walnut gives products a premium look. If you’re choosing kitchen accessories, focus on durability, fine texture and regular oiling.
👉 Browse products by material: beech • oak • maple • walnut • ash • mixed woods • veneer