When it comes to trends, and materials like walnut wood, I’m in favour of treading lightly. Instead, I prefer to create a home with timeless materials that don’t go in and out of favour frequently. I aim to design homes that look updated but maintain an air of classic timelessness, with just a tiny little nod to the current trends.
When you constantly introduce new trends into your home you’re creating a cycle of buy and replace. The result of that is going to be a short period of relevance quickly followed by a long cycle of replacement. Instead, let’s talk about how to design a home that looks updated and fresh but that relies on materials that are enduring and ageless.
The wood that we select for our home is so important because it takes up so much visual space. Between wood flooring, wood cabinetry, millwork and furniture, your material choices surround you each day. Given the magnitude of the decision around wood it’s important to understand which are timeless and which are trends. Let’s start by discussing walnut.
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Is Walnut Wood a Timeless Choice?
SOURCE: Oflooring
I’ll just cut straight to the chase and say yes, walnut is a timeless choice for any of your wood selections. From flooring to cabinetry to furniture, walnut makes an exceptionally durable and timeless option.
Walnut is considered one of the finest hardwoods due to its exceptional strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal. It stands out among other woods, such as oak, maple, and cherry, due to its distinctive dark brown tones, natural variation, and delicate grain pattern.
Why We Love Walnut Wood
Features & Colour of Natural Walnut Wood
SOURCE: Grace in the Space
Walnut wood has long been used in homes and furniture making because of its gorgeous colour and natural patterns. The grain of this wood can be straight but it can also be highly detailed and filled with intricate swirls.
There’s a depth and warmth to walnut that makes it very livable. The colour can vary from caramel to deep chocolate but it always maintains its richness. We often see bits of gray and black contained in walnut and that helps to give it a grounded feeling. It’s also what makes it so easy to pair with furniture.
Often, wood tones lean orange and that can make it difficult when it comes to decorating. You’ll never see those orange tones with walnut and even though it does tend to lighten over time you’ll still see a rich warm tone.
While most wood is warm toned you’ll find that walnut can work well with both warm and cool environments. That’s because of the black undertones contained in walnut. While the overall feel is warm the black notes help it to feel just right in a cool environment as well.
Durability
SOURCE: Etsy
Cherry, maple and hickory have long been known for their hardness, making them excellent choices for our homes. Walnut doesn’t rank quite as high but a very close contender.
Wood species are ranked for hardness on the Janka scale which measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear. We use the Janka hardness ratings to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring. It can be equally important when selecting wood to be used in cabinetry since we want that material to sustain everyday use.
If you want to select a wood species that’s durable you’ll want to select a wood that has a Janka rating of 1000 or more. Walnut wood is rated at 1010 which makes it an ideal material for use in your home. This means it can withstand daily wear and tear while remaining structurally sound.
With proper care your walnut wood can last for generations. Whether used in heirloom furniture pieces, architectural elements, or artisanal crafts, walnut is strong and durable enough to last for generations to come.
LOOKING FOR TILES THAT ARE TIMELESS? READ THIS POST
Pricing
SOURCE: Architectural Digest
One of the common complaints regarding walnut is the high price associated with it. There is a premium price tag attached to it but for good reason. The primary reason is the slow growth of walnut trees, which can take over 50 years to mature. Additionally, walnut is a highly desired wood for working with because while it’s hard it’s also soft enough to easily manipulate. This makes it a favourite with woodworkers and flooring manufacturers.
On the bright side walnut is a cherished wood that will always elevate the value of your home.
Walnut Wood = Luxury
SOURCE: Pinterest
Walnut wood is a great material choice for both flooring and cabinetry as well as furniture. Because of its hardness it can withstand decades of use and still maintain its beauty. This ensures that you won’t be replacing your pieces anytime soon.
There’s also an alluring appeal to walnut that’s often associated with luxury and elegance. Its inherent strength and durability make it an excellent choice for pieces that are designed to last for generations. Combined with its beauty, walnut takes top place as a status symbol of good taste and long lasting quality. From the perspective of an investment you can’t beat the quality and appeal of walnut.
Is Walnut Right for Your Home?
SOURCE: Home Resolution
One of the most important factors before ever deciding on something like wood flooring, cabinetry or furniture is to determine your style, your budget and your preferences.
What style do you currently gravitate towards? Walnut has a long history of use and will remain a timeless style but does it work in your home? If you’re not sure of your interior design style you can take this free quiz to help you figure it out.
We see walnut used in a variety of styles but it most definitely shines in a mid-century modern home as well as modern and transitional styles. If you lean towards a more traditional style you may have to look around at what else exists in your home. A lot of traditional design relies on very dark wood like mahogany and cherry. Before adding another wood tone, ensure that the undertones work well together.
If you’re on a very tight budget you might find that walnut is too pricey for you but consider the longevity before you reject it completely. Buying inferior products means you’ll be replacing them again in the near future whereas walnut will last for decades to come.
I hope this helps you determine if walnut is the right choice for your home. If you need help selecting wood finishes or materials for a renovation, reach out to me. I’d love to discuss how I can help guide you through your next project.
