Oak vs. Ash vs. Cherry vs. Walnut: Choosing a Wood for Your Furniture
With solid wood furniture, the wood sets the color, grain, feel and price. Yeswood's solid wood collections mostly use six hardwoods: North American oak, ash, Russian ash, European beech, North American cherry and North American black walnut. Here's a side-by-side comparison, followed by tips on choosing.
Six woods at a glance
Left to right, top to bottom: oak, ash, Russian ash, beech, cherry, black walnut.
Hardness and price are relative ratings from the brand's craftsmanship materials, for comparing these woods with each other.
| Wood | Color | Grain | Hardness | Price level | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North American oak | Natural wood tone | Bold cathedral or straight grain you can feel | ★★★★★ | Lower | Any natural-wood style |
| Ash | Light, mostly creamy white | Larger, bolder cathedral and wavy figure | ★★★★★ | Lower | Light interiors, kids' rooms |
| Russian ash | Yellowish white | Fine straight and rippled grain | ★★★★½ | Medium | Modern Chinese, wabi-sabi, rustic |
| European beech | Pale warm yellow, very even color | Subtle, mostly straight grain; smooth surface | ★★★★½ | Lower | Japanese-inspired, kids' rooms |
| North American cherry | Reddish brown that deepens over time | Wavy grain with small dark mineral streaks | ★★★★ | Higher | Mid-century, vintage |
| North American black walnut | Chocolate brown, occasional dark streaks | Varied, expressive grain; silky feel | ★★★★★ | Highest | Modern Chinese, mid-century, vintage, modern, American |
Oak vs. ash: the pair most often confused
Both have bold cathedral grain and similar hardness, so they look alike at first. The difference is mainly color: oak has a richer natural wood tone that goes with almost anything, while ash is lighter, often creamy white, with larger, bolder figure. For a bright, light space or a kids' room, ash fits well; for the warm, classic wood look, choose oak.
Cherry: a color that matures
Cherry arrives a reddish brown and slowly deepens to a richer, warmer tone with light exposure. That's the nature of cherry, not a defect. It feels smooth and silky, with wavy grain and small dark mineral streaks, and suits mid-century and vintage rooms. It's the softest of these six, so take a little care with knocks.
Black walnut: why it costs the most
Black walnut is a prized species with limited supply. Its deep chocolate-brown color, varied grain and silky feel put it at the top price level of these woods, and its dark tone works with a wide range of styles, from modern Chinese to modern and American. Yeswood's premium black walnut collections use a plant-based hardwax oil finish, which is cared for differently from lacquer. Browse every piece in black walnut furniture.
Russian ash and beech: quieter choices
Russian ash (Manchurian ash) is yellowish, with fine straight and rippled grain and a slightly rustic character that suits modern Chinese and wabi-sabi interiors. European beech is a pale, warm yellow with almost no color variation, a smooth surface and subtle grain; it looks fresh and gentle and is often used for Japanese-inspired pieces, kids' furniture and two-tone designs.
What does FAS grade mean?
FAS (Firsts and Seconds) is the top grade in the National Hardwood Lumber Association's grading rules: long clear cuttings, little color variation and few knots. The North American oak, ash, cherry and black walnut used by Yeswood are FAS grade.
Another wood you'll see: rubberwood
Some collections use rubberwood, a moderately hard wood with even grain. It's economical, is often finger-jointed, and is usually finished in several coats of paint in white or light tones, a good fit if you want a solid wood feel at a lower price.
Choosing by room and style
- Light, cream or Japanese-inspired: ash, beech, oak.
- Modern Chinese, wabi-sabi: Russian ash, black walnut.
- Mid-century, vintage: cherry, black walnut.
- Kids' rooms: ash, beech; Yeswood's kids' furniture also uses plant-based hardwax oil.
- Dining tables and desks used every day: the harder oak, ash and black walnut hold up best.
Browse by room: living room, bedroom, dining room, study. Each item's wood is listed in its title and specs. Not sure how to tell solid wood from engineered boards? Start with our guide to solid wood vs. particleboard, MDF and veneer.