Wood furniture and wood trim elements are commonplace in homes all across the United States. Homeowners appreciate the aesthetic wooden elements can bring into a space. Wood furniture and accents are durable, natural, and often easy to rearrange for continual refreshes of any room in the house. But wood furniture also requires routine care and maintenance in order to consistently create the visual wow factor that homeowners seek. Adding a wood finish or stain is a common task for any homeowner looking to enhance the look and feel of their property. External wood structures, like a backyard deck, require refinishing on a more consistent basis. For example, experts suggest re-staining or resealing an exterior deck once every year (or at least every three) to provide it with the best possible protection for moisture and UV rays. Inside the home, wood finishes are used more for style than specifically as a protective coating. This means you can think more about the look of a finished wood piece in these instances rather than focusing primarily on the level of protection a finishing agent can provide. With these five great wood finish options in mind, you’ll be sure to have a lot of choices when it comes to reimagining a faded bookshelf or raw wood coffee table. Every piece of wood is unique, and when building furniture or shelving with wooden planks a carpenter will often look to showcase one or more sides of the boards that exhibit a unique or visually striking wood grain. Taking this practice to the next level can be done with a number of finish options, but there’s no denying the liveliness and depth of contrast that shines through with a scorch treatment. Using a torch and gently moving it up and down against the surface of each board will quickly char the edge of the piece, revealing deep black and brown lines across the grain. These charred surfaces are actually quite easy to create, and can embolden the energy within your property. Drawing out the wood grain with a scorch reimagines the piece of furniture and can create a unique statement item to be placed prominently in any room. These rustic colors and washed-out finishes that make use of a light yet glossy color tone can recreate the space of any room. These color patterns are an excellent augmentation for rooms that see a lot of natural light or face outward into the garden. Tan and blond color palettes can be used in any geographical location in order to lighten the mood and infuse a sense of happiness and elegance into your space. Taking their cue from sauna and minimalist home design that dominates Scandinavian culture, these light and natural wood colors make for a simple design, but one that powerfully encapsulates the value of nature and time spent with loved ones and crucially, in happiness. These solid coats of paint are typically very easy to remove and change with heat and a bit of scraping as well. This makes a matte finish an incredibly versatile option when it comes to styling and revamping the aesthetic of your home. For those who love to engage in DIY projects, applying intense or even subdued matte color finishes to your furniture can be an incredibly satisfying and easy way to accomplish a home-styling project. Staining your wood furniture gives it a subtle sheen that makes newly treated furniture really stand out in a room. As well, the application of stain gives your furniture a natural protective barrier against moisture and perhaps even minor dings and dents (depending on the number of coats you’ve applied). Creating a deep and rich wood tone in your furniture can be an intensely satisfying project. Many homeowners love the aesthetic and big attitude of a deep and dark brown wood tone, but others may find this look too domineering in their space. Incorporating a lighter shade or using fewer coats can give you enhanced control over the depth of this color and a tactile option for finishing wood furniture. Coupled with antique hardware to round out the look, dry brushing is a powerful tool in establishing the mood and mantra of any room’s decorative style. The antique look is making somewhat of a comeback in the modern home, and for good reason. Standard style elements have trended toward technical installations and sometimes character-less furniture that only serves as a place to sit down or place items. Moving away from these occasionally visually vapid stylistic designs and incorporating some antique elements in your home can be a great way to take back control of your decorative and creative energy.