Red Oak grows abundantly in Eastern US. It has a light brown to pinkish-reddish color, straight grain, and is hard & heavy. Due to availability & durability, Red Oak is the most common choice for furniture.

Origin: Eastern US; Central US; Southeast Canada; South Central Canada

Price: $$

While not as abundant as Red Oak, White Oak is vastly available. This is a very strong wood with a light brown color and straight grain. The larger rays often give it more figure than Red Oak. Due to its strength and durability, White Oak is a very common choice for furniture.

Origin: Eastern US; Central US; Southeastern Canada; South Central Canada

Price: $$$

Poplar grows abundantly throughout many parts of North America. This wood has a light brown to olive green color. Often purples and blues may be seen as well. The green turns more brown with light exposure. While one of the most popular trees for paper products, Poplar is very common in furniture manufacturing.

Origin: Central North America; Eastern North America

Price: $$

This wood varied from a rich red to reddish brown and will darken over time, especially with light exposure. Cherry is of medium density with medium strength.

Origin: Midwestern US; Eastern US

Price: $$$

Walnut is light brown to dark-chocolate brown, often with purplish streaks. Walnut is a very hard wood that lightens in color with age.

Origin: North America; South America; Asia; Europe

Price: $$$$

Hickory, regarded as one of the finest nut trees, is extremely dense and durable. One of the strongest woods in the commercial market make it an excellent choice for furniture.

The grain is wavy with a medium-brown and reddish heartwood. Hickory often has a naturally rustic look.

Price: $$$-$$$$

Soft Maple is light-to-dark reddish brown, with straight grain. It is about 25% less hard than Hard Maple.

Origin: Eastern US; Central US; Southeastern Canada

Price: $$

Hard Maple has a dark to reddish-brown heartwood, with a much lighter sapwood. This wood has a fine texture and the grain is mildly wavy. Its strength and durability, along with its often rustic character, make Hard Maple a great choice for furniture.

Price: $$$

Sapele, commonly known as Mahogany, originates in Africa. Color is a golden to dark-reddish brown, darkening with age. Grain is interlocked, sometimes wavy. Sapele is very durable.

Origin: West Africa; Nigeria; Tropical Africa

Price: $$$$

Ash is gray to light brown or pale yellow streaked with brown. The wood is straight grained with overall good strength properties.

Origin: Eastern US; Southeastern Canada

Price: $$