How to mix different wood tones together

Spotted gum and Tasmanian oak are popular choices for timber floors in Australian homes and come in tones ranging from pale to dark brown. Mango wood, which features multi-coloured grains, is a popular species for furniture and accessories right now, and it looks fantastic alongside spotted gum and Tasmanian oak floors – particularly darker ones.

For darker timber furniture and accessories, consider pieces crafted from Sheesham wood, which boasts a rich, chestnut colour and a rustic feel. Pair it with pale timber floorboards for contrast.

Speaking of light timbers, I think we will continue to see more furniture crafted from pale timber, grey-toned timber and white-washed varieties in 2018, which all contrast beautifully with dark timber floors.

The room above works beautifully with three different types of wood because they are all showing warm undertones. The red/yellow undertones allow these woods to work so nicely together. 

How do I do it?

• If you are adding a wooden piece of furniture to a room with a wooden floor, make sure it compliments or contrasts. By complimenting, you are looking for a balance between the items undertones. By contrast, you are going so different that it works, not fights. For example, a walnut table sitting on an oak floor.

• Pay close attention to the undertones of your timbers, which will either be cool (blue- or grey-based) or warm (yellow-, orange- or red-based). When combining different timbers, make sure they all share the same undertone.

• Also, pay attention to the pattern of the grains. If you have one timber element – say a buffet – with a very pronounced grain, keep the rest of the scheme simple to create balance.