29 Decorating with Wood Accent Ideas

By Interior Designer TRACY SVENDEN | Published on August 02, 2025 |

Decorating with wood accents: I’m a firm believer that incorporating natural wood elements into every room makes the spaces feel collected, warm, lived-in, and inviting. Wood is a timeless and versatile material that instantly brings texture and natural beauty to a variety of design styles, from rustic to contemporary and classic.

Wood can be used in many different ways, from wall and ceiling panels to flooring, furniture, and decorative accents. Today, all-wood environments are a prominent trend, offering a look that is both warm and captivating.

Wood walls have made a comeback, with today’s designers creatively incorporating the material into custom homes. Wood elements are now featured in various spaces, from offices and bar rooms to family rooms.

No longer limited to specific areas, wood paneling can transform any space by adding warmth, character, and a touch of luxury. Wood walls can be integrated in countless ways, tailored to a homeowner’s unique vision and style, from minimalist approaches to modernist adaptations. Discover how designers are using wood to elevate spaces across every aesthetic. Feature image courtesy of Design Shop Interiors.

Rammed Earth Framing an Isokern Fireplace
Image courtesy of Bambi A’Lynn Interior Design (Molly Culver Photography)

1. Custom Millwork Feature Wall

In a family room designed by Hilary Matt, a custom millwork made from stained white oak creates a beautiful focal point. Matt extended the wood feature wall to the ceiling for maximum impact. The wood adds warmth and texture to this stately space, which features hardwood flooring, a wood ceiling treatment, and white furniture and window treatments.

Wood Accent Walls
Image courtesy of Hilary Matt Design ( Ryan McDonald Photography)

2. Wood As An Architectural Detail

In a home surrounded by forests and rolling hills, interior designer Meagan Camp incorporated natural elements, such as wood and stone. This warm and organic home features incredible views of the Catskill Mountains front and center and boasts an aesthetic that marries form, functionality, and restraint. Custom furnishings were artfully combined with classic mid-century modern pieces and luxurious accessories.

Using Wood as an Architectural Detail
Image courtesy of Meagan Camp Interiors (Rikki Snyder Photo)

3. Pairing Wood & Stone

In a lovely Port Townsend waterfront cottage, panoramic views of the lake and forest provide a relaxing vacation destination. This 1500 sq. ft. home features a stone fireplace, salvaged limestone from Italy, lime plaster, and natural woods. NB Design group chose finishes that would delight the senses, from the bronze hardware in the kitchen to limestone tiles in the bathrooms.

Wood & Stone
Image courtesy of NB Design Group (Andrew Giammarco Photography)

4. Wood Flooring

Beautiful oak trees, rolling hills, prairie grasses, and limestone outcrops surround this warm and inviting modern rustic ranch home located in Texas. Bambi A’Lyn Interiors incorporated a neutral color palette with natural elements, such as wood planks and leather, to complement the surrounding views. Gorgeous white oak floors complement the deep, rich tones in the Douglas fir ceiling beams, adding visual appeal.

Wood Flooring
Image courtesy of Bambi A’Lynn Interior Design (Molly Culver Photography)

5. Light Wood Kitchen Cabinets

In an elegant, modern farmhouse kitchen designed by Morrison Interiors, marble from Ollin Stone continues from the kitchen counters up to the hood. Light wood cabinetry pairs beautifully with a striking tiled backsplash in soft, gray hues. Additional design features include black-framed glass cabinets, leather kitchen stools, and warm wood flooring.

Light Wood Cabinetry
Image courtesy of Morrison Interiors

6. Wood Fluting Details

A reeded white oak surround frames a quartz backsplash in a cook nook designed by Paris McKenna. The designer repeated the kitchen’s cream, olive, and rust color scheme throughout the rest of the home. This effortlessly elegant space features lovely curving forms, taupe kitchen cabinets, warm wood flooring, and striking black accents.

Wood Fluting in the Kitchen
Image courtesy of Paris McKenna Design (Lauren Miller Photography)

7. Vaulted Oak Ceilings

A modern ranch-style Montecito home, situated amidst the oaks, embodies liveable luxury and understated elegance. Designed by Formm Studio, this spacious great room is bathed in natural light and filled with cozy seating areas. High vaulted oak ceilings pair perfectly with neutral-toned furnishings and earth-tone accents.

Wood Vaulted Ceiling
Image courtesy of Formm Studio (Sam Frost Photography)

8. Timber Trusses

In a farmhouse family room that is open to the kitchen and dining areas, timber trusses and a limestone fireplace add depth and dimension. This serene and comfortable space features linen slipcovered sofas and armchairs, an antique wooden console, and a neutral color palette accentuated with rich wood tones.

Coeur Interiors paired refined moments with rustic elements, including an aged Chinese table, antique French doors, new furniture, and brass and bronze accents. Antiques and artwork add an extra layer of personality.

Wood Beams
Image courtesy of Coeur Cabinet + Curated Interiors (David Marlow Photography)

9. Wood-Framed Windows

In a modern rustic lake home, interior designer Allison Willson incorporated natural materials, such as a stone fireplace, wood flooring, and wood-framed windows, to blend in beautifully with its rural surroundings. Willson wanted the living room to feel welcoming and connect whoever just set foot inside to the idyllic surroundings. Given a whole wall of south-facing windows, she chose a limestone treatment and neutral colors to echo the waterfront view.

Wood Window Trim
Image courtesy of Allison Willson Design via House Beautiful (Patrick Biller Photography)

10. Wood Accents in Lake Homes

Brad Ramsey wanted to balance the clean lines of the rustic modern home by Evan Cantrell of MHK Architecture with a cozy, relaxed ambiance. He incorporated organic, natural materials and finishes to warm up the 7,471-square-foot home. The living area features a large woven area rug, black-framed windows, and a spacious cream-colored sectional.

The wood ceilings and surrounding walls have a shiplap treatment to prevent them from feeling like a vast white void. White oak cabinetry complements the varying tones above. The great room features expansive windows, wood beams, and a six-foot-wide stone veneer fireplace that seamlessly blends the indoors with the outdoors.

Wood Accents in a Lake Home
Image courtesy of Brad Ramsey Design Studio via House Beautiful (Inspiro 8 Studios Photography)

11. Use Wood to Treat the Ceiling Like a Fifth Wall

A primary bedroom in a mountain retreat by Rowland + Boughton Design is elevated with an oak ceiling, flooring, and furniture. The angular architecture is softened with subtly curving furnishings. A sleek custom black steel fireplace provides warmth to the neutral-toned space. Additional features include a black marble table, a CB2 boucle swivel chair, and an alpaca area rug.

Peaked Oak Ceiling
Image courtesy of Rowland + Broughton Design (Lisa Romerein Photography)

12. Sliding Walnut Panel Above a Fireplace

Architect Bing Hu carefully selected materials for the exterior that blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, incorporating a generous amount of glass to maximize the view. Interior design firm Magni Kalmin incorporated a Calcutta Lincoln marble fireplace that features a sliding walnut wall panel that hides the television. Luxurious fabrics, a blue silk-velvet sofa, and a charred oak coffee table add layers of warmth and texture.

Sliding Walnut Panel
Image courtesy of Magni Kalmin Design (Manolo Langis Photography)

13. Log Walls

Situated on the shores of a lake in the Mauricie region, and designed by Blanc Marine, this log home is a traditional structure with an optimized layout that enhances rustic character with a modern touch. The division of the space was created by a mix of light painted walls and glass partitions that add a new dimension. The addition of a large dining room in the extension and bedrooms upstairs allows the large family to which it belongs to be brought together more comfortably.

Handcrafted Log Home
Image courtesy of Blanc Marine Design

14. Wood Accents in Coastal Interiors

In a modern coastal home, gray, taupe, cream, and light wood accents, combined with richly patterned marbles, create a luxurious and indulgent feel. Interior designer Hilary Matt incorporated natural materials to evoke a zen-like feeling, incorporating diverse textures throughout the space.

This organic beach house embodies a harmonious blend of coastal charm and modern sophistication. Further design features include bespoke details, an airy aesthetic, and open layouts.

Coastal Interiors
Image courtesy of Hilary Matt Design (Rikki Snyder Photography)

15. Wood Paired With Limestone Walls

In a rustic kitchen designed by Allison Willson, limestone walls and marble countertops complement the pastoral surroundings. Open white oak shelving provides a collected and laid-back feel to the space while a custom range hood finished in plaster complements the organic finishes in the room. Renowned for creating beautifully customized and curated spaces, Allison’s designs honour organic textures, historical elements, and the appeal of modern details that support the nuances of everyday life.

Wood Paired With Limestone Walls
Image courtesy of Allison Willson Design via House Beautiful (Patrick Biller Photography)

16. Dark Woods in the Bedroom

In an elegant and soulful bedroom designed by Susanna Goss Studio, a dark wood four-poster bed and dresser add old-world charm and sophistication. This calm space features floor-to-ceiling window treatments in a rich taupe hue, deep black walls, a green sofa, and a boucle accent chair. Additional elements include contrasting white elements and a contemporary light fixture.

Dark Wood in the Bedroom
Image courtesy of Susanna Goss Studio

17. Wood Accents in the Bathroom

A quiet and composed bathroom offers relaxing indulgence inspired by Moroccan influences, natural materials, and neutral tones. Interior designer Maureen Ursino incorporated three sinks into an 8-foot limestone slab. The stone is flanked by floor-to-ceiling wood cabinetry, and the double shower features black-framed glass panes on the sidewalls.

Bathroom Wood Wood Accents
Image courtesy of Ursino Interiors

18. Built-In Wood Cabinetry

Verniche Interiors created this gorgeous modern farmhouse living room with wood open shelving backed by vertical shiplap panels, which complements the wood ceiling and flooring. This thoughtfully curated space incorporates a neutral color palette with layers of natural and organic textures. Further design features include contemporary artwork and vases, wood end tables, and a round marble coffee table.

Built-In Cabinets
Image courtesy of Vernich Interiors (Caroline Sharpnack Photography)

19. Wood End Tables

A calm and serene bedroom designed by Amber Lewis is flooded with natural sunlight and boasts magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. A neutral palette is elevated with wood flooring, ceiling treatment, and wood furniture. This lovely space includes rich, layered textures and antique accents.

Wood Nightstands in the Bedroom
Image courtesy of Amber Lewis Design (Shaded Degges Photography)

20. Wood Paneling

This stunning home, located in Newport Beach, California, was designed by Eric Olsen and features an extensive use of oak paneling, plaster, and glass partition walls throughout. The design emphasizes warm textures and earth tones. Each room offers a unique experience that becomes an integral and cohesive part of this layered, timeless home.

Wood Paneling
Image courtesy of Eric Olsen Design (Yoshihiro Makino Photography)

21. Live Edge Wood Coffee Table

An entertainment barn in coastal NJ features a massive stone fireplace, black steel-framed windows, and a stunning live-edge wood coffee table. Rich browns and creams infuse the neutral palette with a dark and moody aesthetic while a white sofa and accent chair add a dramatic effect. Finely balancing traditional and contemporary design elements, designer Maureen Ursino can make a historic home feel both in keeping with its past and fully aligned with the present. 

Live Edge Wood Coffee Table
Image courtesy of Ursino Interiors (Nicole Franzen Photography)

22. Wood Counter Stools

In a refined modern kitchen designed by Karin Bennett, wood accents pair beautifully with richly veined marble countertops and backsplash. This sophisticated space features contemporary brass lighting, a marble shelf, and luxurious details. Organic, earthy, and inspiring, KBD Design created this elegant space with an eye for detail.

Wood Counter Stools
Image courtesy of KBD Design

23. Cozy Seating Area in a Home Library

Actress Jennifer Garner’s cozy LA home features a dexterous blend of farmhouse charm and contemporary comfort, one that prioritizes togetherness, usefulness, and down-to-earth living. In the library, designer Mieke ten Have incorporated blue velvet accents, wood paneling, a stone fireplace, and a variety of layered textures. The library opens out into a garden with a fireplace, creating an indoor-outdoor design aesthetic which also allows for a view of the backyard pool.

Cozy Library With Wood Paneling
Image courtesy of Mieke ten Have via Architectural Digest (Photography by Laure Joliet)

24. Mixed Wood Finishes

The owners of this luxurious wine country retreat envisioned a house that would foster a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. The architect provided the foundation, which included large wood beams and an entryway that connects the front of the house to the outdoor living space in the back. SLD Design uses different types of wood and natural textures throughout the space. From dark wood furniture to honey-toned table lamps, light wood doors, and medium-wood-toned ceilings and flooring.

Mixed Wood Tones
Image courtesy of Sarah Liz Lawson (Adam Potts Photography)

25. Wood Fireplace Mantel

In another home designed by Sarah Liz Lawson, an earth-toned stone fireplace is topped with a wood fireplace mantel. This Tahoe mountain home features a library that allows homeowners to store their extensive book collection. Artwork and furniture were carefully curated for comfort and style, while layered textures keep the space cozy and welcoming.

Wood Fireplace Mantel
Image courtesy of Sara Liz Lawson (Brad Knipstein Photography)

26. Dark Wood Accents

In a living room designed by Paulina Perrault, new furnishings, finishes, and artwork from local artists infused a sense of legacy and familiarity into the interior spaces. The ground level is warm, gently masculine, and features dark wood accents and soft, inviting textures. The result is a cozy haven infused with natural light, sunshine, and memorable moments, where the homeowner can unwind in an environment filled with a lifetime of history and cherished memories.

Dark Wood Accents
Image courtesy of Paulina Perrault Design (Adam Pots Photography)

27. Antique Wood Accents

In a country-cottage style dining room infused with old-world charm, antique wood accents add warmth and visual interest. Designed by House of Seven, this lovely space pairs wood flooring and furniture with textured wallpaper on the walls and natural elements. Earth-toned wallpaper on the ceiling adds the perfect finishing touch.

Antique Wood Accents
Image courtesy of House of Seven Design (Joseph Bradshaw Photography)

28. Pair with Warm Earth Tones

In another space designed by House of Seven, warm earth tones pair beautifully with a neutral color palette. Design details include a natural stone fireplace, and wood ceiling and flooring. Cozy furniture, plush textures, and high contrast create a warm and inviting aesthetic.

Wood & Warm Earth Tones
Image courtesy of House of Seven Design(Joseph Bradshaw Photography)

29. Wood in Outdoor Areas

Natural wood tones take center stage in this serene outdoor seating area that faces a lake. Glass walls along the dining area open up to the upper porch and can be folded around the corner and out of the way for breezy meals. Ensconced in its idyllic setting, this home makes every day feel like a vacation.

Outdoor Areas
Image courtesy of Brad Ramsey Design Studio via House Beautiful (Inspire 8 Studios Photography)

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