27 Types of Dark Hardwood Floorings

Dark hardwoods are a popular choice for various woodworking projects due to their beauty and durability.

In this article, I will explore 27 types of dark hardwood, highlighting their unique characteristics and uses in furniture, flooring, and more.

Understanding the differences between these wood types can help you make informed decisions for your projects.

I am excited to share insights on the color variations, grain patterns, and other properties of these woods.

By knowing the right type of dark hardwood to choose, I can ensure that my finished projects not only look great but also stand the test of time.

Light Floor Vs Dark Floor

First off, before getting all in on the dark side of hardwood floorings, you may wish to check this out to understand the differences between light and dark hardwood floors.

Below are the dark hardwoods I’ve researched and gathered, happy to share them with you here:

1. Ebony

Ebony is one of the most prized hardwoods known for its rich, dark appearance.

This wood is available in various species, with Gaboon ebony being particularly popular.

I find ebony to be an exceptionally dense wood, which enhances its durability.

It typically has a deep black color, often displaying dark brown or gray streaks in its grain.

The wood’s fine texture allows it to be polished to a high shine.

This makes it a favorite choice for high-end furniture, musical instruments, and decorative items.

Here’s a quick overview of ebony’s characteristics:

2. American Walnut

American Walnut, also known as Black Walnut, is a highly sought-after hardwood.

I appreciate its rich, dark chocolate color, which adds elegance to any project.

The grain is generally straight, but it can also display beautiful waves and curls.

This variability makes each piece unique and appealing.

In terms of density, American Walnut is moderate, providing a good balance of weight and strength.

The texture is smooth, which contributes to its attractiveness for fine furniture and cabinetry.

I find it quite durable, making it suitable for various applications.

Its workability is excellent, allowing for precise cuts and finishes.

This wood is perfect for items like furniture, cabinets, and flooring. It is also used for crafting beautiful veneers and musical instruments.

3. Brazilian Rosewood

Brazilian Rosewood, known scientifically as Dalbergia nigra, is a highly prized dark hardwood.

Its color can range from dark brown to reddish-brown, often with beautiful contrasting streaks.

The grain is unique, sometimes displaying a figure similar to spider-webbing. This adds character to any project.

In terms of density, Brazilian Rosewood is quite heavy, making it durable and strong.

Its texture is smooth, which enhances its appeal for various applications.

This wood is well-suited for furniture, cabinetry, and musical instruments due to its excellent acoustical properties.

4. Dark Cherry

Dark cherry wood is known for its rich, warm tones that deepen with age. I appreciate its beautiful reddish-brown color, which adds elegance to any space.

The grain pattern on dark cherry is smooth and uniform. This makes it appealing for various design styles.

I find that it maintains a sophisticated look in furniture and cabinetry.

In terms of density, dark cherry is moderately dense, offering good durability.

Its texture is fine and smooth, making it easy to work with. I often use it in projects requiring curved shapes or intricate details.

Dark cherry’s durability is impressive; it withstands wear well.

I have used it in dining tables and cabinets, where its beauty shines while remaining functional.

5. Ipe

Ipe is a highly regarded hardwood known for its strength and durability. It is often called Brazilian walnut.

Ipe can range in color from light brown to a very dark hue.

The wood features a unique grain pattern. Its texture is medium coarse, which adds to its visual appeal.

Ipe is dense, making it resistant to wear and tear.

I appreciate how Ipe holds up against the elements.

It is naturally resistant to rot and decay, which makes it ideal for outdoor projects.

Many people use Ipe for decking, furniture, and flooring.

Its durability ensures it looks great for years.

6. Cocobolo

Cocobolo is an exotic hardwood I find striking due to its rich colors and unique patterns.

It ranges from yellow and orange to deep red and brown, often with beautiful black or purple streaks.

This variety makes each piece of cocobolo distinct.

The grain can be straight or swirly, adding to its visual appeal.

With a density of about 0.89 to 1.1, cocobolo is very hard and durable.

This wood contains natural oils that help it resist insects and weather, making it suitable for many environments.

I appreciate cocobolo’s fine texture, which contributes to its popularity in fine woodworking.

Items like furniture and musical instruments often feature this beautiful wood.

7. Peruvian Walnut

Peruvian Walnut, also known as Juglans neotropica, is a unique hardwood I find quite impressive.

It has a rich, dark chocolate color that adds elegance to any project.

The grain is usually straight to wavy, offering a coarse texture that shines beautifully when finished.

I enjoy its high luster, which enhances the wood’s natural beauty.

In terms of density, Peruvian Walnut strikes a good balance, making it durable yet workable.

It serves well for furniture and cabinetry, particularly in Central and South America, showcasing its versatile nature.

8. African Wenge

African Wenge is a striking hardwood known for its deep chocolate-brown color with dark black streaks. This unique appearance makes it a popular choice for luxury items.

In terms of density, Wenge is very heavy, which contributes to its strength and durability.

Its fine, straight grain gives it an attractive look.

Working with Wenge can be challenging due to its hardness. However, it responds well to finishes, which enhance its natural beauty.

I often recommend Wenge for high-end furniture, flooring, and decorative accents. Its resilience makes it suitable for many applications, from musical instruments to interior design elements.

9. Ziricote

Ziricote is a unique dark hardwood that comes from Central America and Mexico. I find it especially striking for its deep brown to black color and intricate grain patterns.

The heartwood often features dark streaks, giving it a distinctive look. Its medium to fine texture adds to its appeal.

When it comes to density, Ziricote is quite strong. This makes it durable and a great choice for various projects.

I appreciate its versatility. Ziricote is often used in high-quality furniture, cabinetry, and decorative items.

10. Mahogany

Mahogany is a well-known hardwood that I find appealing for many projects. It comes in different types, including genuine mahogany, African mahogany, and Philippine mahogany. Each type has its unique qualities.

In terms of color, mahogany typically features a reddish-brown hue. The grain is straight and often has a fine, interlocking pattern. The wood is dense, which makes it strong and durable.

I appreciate mahogany’s smooth texture, making it easy to work with. It takes stain and finishes well, ensuring a polished look for furniture or decor.

This wood is commonly used for cabinetry, flooring, and musical instruments. Mahogany’s beauty and resilience make it a popular choice among artisans and builders.

11. Teak

Teak is a highly valued hardwood known for its strength and beauty. I admire its rich, dark brown color with a hint of golden hue. The wood grain can be straight, wavy, or interlocked, adding to its charm.

Teak has a high density, making it very durable. It is naturally resistant to rot and pests, which is why I often see it used in outdoor furniture and boat building.

In terms of workability, teak is relatively easy to shape and finish. Its fine texture makes it appealing for various applications, from luxury furniture to flooring.

12. Sapele

Sapele is a popular hardwood native to tropical Africa. I appreciate its rich, dark reddish-brown color, which often darkens with age. This wood resembles mahogany both in appearance and characteristics.

Sapele is known for its unique grain patterns, including quilted, ribbon, and wavy designs. These features add to its visual appeal. The interlocked grain makes it quite durable.

In terms of density, Sapele is comparable to oak and mahogany. Its hardness provides strength, making it suitable for various applications.

I find Sapele easy to work with, whether I’m cutting, sanding, or finishing. It is commonly used in furniture, cabinetry, and musical instruments.

13. Macassar Ebony

Macassar ebony is a striking hardwood I find fascinating. Originating from Southeast Asia, it features a dramatic appearance. The wood showcases dark black streaks intermingled with golden to reddish-brown bands.

This hardwood has a fine, uniform texture, giving it a high natural luster. In terms of density, it is quite heavy, which adds to its sturdiness. I appreciate its durability and resistance to wear.

14. Jarrah

Jarrah is a distinctive hardwood native to southwestern Australia. I find its rich, dark reddish-brown color appealing, often deepening with age.

The grain can be interlocked, giving Jarrah a unique visual texture. It typically has a moderate density, making it durable yet somewhat challenging to work with.

In terms of durability, Jarrah is highly resistant to decay and insect attacks. Its hardness means it has a blunting effect on cutting tools, so care is needed during machining.

Jarrah works well for applications like flooring, furniture, and cabinetry, thanks to its strength and aesthetic qualities.

15. Blackbutt

Blackbutt is a hardwood species that I find both versatile and attractive. It is known for its warm nutty color and straight grain. This timber is often used in various applications due to its strength and durability.

The density of Blackbutt makes it ideal for flooring, decking, and structural framing. I appreciate that it has good fire resistance, which is essential in bushfire-prone areas.

When it comes to workability, Blackbutt machines well, though it is only fair for steam bending. The texture is generally smooth, contributing to its aesthetic appeal in both indoor and outdoor projects.

16. Australian Blackwood

Australian Blackwood is a popular hardwood known for its rich chocolate-brown color and wavy grain patterns.

I appreciate how its appearance can enhance various projects.

This wood boasts a smooth texture that is pleasant to the touch. Its strong density adds to its durability, making it ideal for furniture and cabinetry.

In my experience, Australian Blackwood is easy to work with. It holds detail well, making it suitable for intricate designs.

Here’s a quick overview of its properties:

17. Red Oak

Red oak is a popular hardwood known for its strength and durability. Its warm, reddish-brown color makes it a favorite for various projects.

The grain of red oak is open and prominent, often showcasing a beautiful pattern.

This wood is dense but not as heavy as some other hardwoods.

In terms of workability, red oak sands well and takes stain easily. I find it responds beautifully to finishes, enhancing its natural beauty.

Red oak is highly resistant to insects and water, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. It is frequently used for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry.

18. Maple

Maple is a popular hardwood known for its strength and versatility.

It comes primarily from North America, Europe, and Asia. The two main types of maple are hard maple and soft maple.

Hard maple, also known as rock maple, has a creamy white sapwood and reddish-brown heartwood. It is strong, dense, and resistant to wear.

Soft maple tends to be lighter in color and has a more moderate hardness. It can be used for a variety of applications.

Maple wood is suitable for furniture, cabinets, and flooring due to its durability and attractive appearance. It often features a fine, even grain.

19. Purpleheart

Purpleheart is a unique type of hardwood I find fascinating. It is known for its vibrant purple color, which can deepen over time.

This wood is extremely durable and has a high density, making it suitable for heavy-use applications.

The grain of Purpleheart is typically straight, but can sometimes be interlocked. I appreciate its fine to medium texture, which can provide a smooth finish.

Its durability makes it resistant to wear, and it’s naturally water-resistant, making it a good choice for outdoor use. However, it can be challenging to work with due to its hardness.

I often see Purpleheart used in fine furniture, cabinetry, and decorative pieces. It’s a striking choice for anyone looking to add a touch of luxury to their projects.

20. Tigerwood

Tigerwood is a striking hardwood known for its unique appearance. The vibrant reddish-brown color, marked by dark brown and black striping, resembles a tiger’s coat.

This wood type has a variable grain, ranging from straight to wavy. Its medium density gives it good durability, making it suitable for various uses.

In terms of texture, I find Tigerwood to have a fine to medium feel. It offers solid workability, although its hardness can sometimes blunt cutting tools.

Tigerwood is often used for flooring, cabinetry, and furniture due to its beauty and resilience.

21. Amendoim

Amendoim is a dark hardwood that I find particularly appealing for its unique characteristics. The heartwood features a reddish-brown color with striking dark striping.

In terms of grain, it displays a lustrous, wavy pattern. The density of Amendoim is high, which contributes to its strength and durability.

I appreciate its very stable texture, making it suitable for various applications. The wood is resistant to decay when not chemically treated.

My experience shows that Amendoim has good workability, allowing for easy machining and finishing. This wood is excellent for flooring, cabinetry, and furniture due to its dense nature.

22. Chestnut

Chestnut wood is known for its strength and durability. It is a type of hardwood that is relatively easy to work with due to its softness.

The color of chestnut wood can range from pale white to light and dark brown. I find its grain pattern generally straight, but some pieces may show spiral or interlocked patterns.

In terms of density, chestnut is moderate, making it suitable for various uses. Its texture is typically smooth, which enhances its appeal for furniture.

Chestnut is durable, resistant to wear, dents, and scratches. I often recommend it for flooring and furniture due to these qualities.

23. Padauk

Padauk is a striking hardwood known for its durability and rich color. I find it often used in furniture and woodworking projects.

The wood comes from several species, mainly African Padauk, which has a vibrant reddish-orange hue that can deepen with age. Its grain is usually straight, though it can exhibit unique figuring.

Here’s a quick overview of Padauk’s characteristics:

24. Santos Mahogany

Santos Mahogany is a dense hardwood known for its rich reddish-brown to purplish tones. It is native to Central and South America, making it a popular choice for various woodworking projects.

This wood has a fine to medium texture and may have a straight grain, though it can also present interlocking patterns.

I appreciate its durability, which makes it suitable for heavy use areas. Santos Mahogany darkens with age, enhancing its beauty over time.

The following table summarizes its key characteristics:

25. Merbau

Merbau is a dense and durable hardwood that I find particularly appealing. It grows in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. When fresh, Merbau exhibits a yellow to orangish-brown color.

Over time, this wood darkens to a rich dark brown or reddish-brown shade. I appreciate its unique appearance, often highlighted by fine yellow mineral deposits that add visual interest.

In terms of its characteristics, the grain is interlocking, which can make machining challenging. However, Merbau sands and finishes well, producing a beautiful final product.

Here’s a quick overview of Merbau:

26. Kempas

Kempas is a highly regarded tropical hardwood known for its durability and rich color. The heartwood typically ranges from a pale brick red to a deep reddish-brown, adding warmth to any space.

The grain of Kempas can be interlocked and sometimes features stone-like streaks. This unique appearance makes it desirable for various applications, including flooring and furniture.

In terms of density, Kempas is relatively heavy, which contributes to its strength. The texture is smooth, but it can be challenging to work with due to its density and grain pattern.

Kempas is rated as durable, making it suitable for high-traffic areas. However, its workability can be difficult for some projects.

27. Cumaru

Cumaru, also known as Brazilian teak, is a strong and durable hardwood. I find it appealing for many projects due to its rich color and fine grain.

The heartwood of Cumaru ranges from light brown to dark brown. This variation gives it a unique look that stands out in any application.

In terms of density, Cumaru is quite high, making it one of the tougher hardwoods available. Its interlocked grain and medium texture contribute to its resilience.

Here’s a quick overview of Cumaru:

I often recommend it for flooring and outdoor furniture due to its excellent weather resistance.

Characteristics of Dark Hardwood

Dark hardwoods have unique features that set them apart from other wood types. Their rich colors and strong physical properties make them popular choices for various applications. I will explore the main characteristics that define dark hardwood.

Color Variations and Patterns

Dark hardwoods come in a range of colors, from deep browns to almost black shades. Some well-known types include mahogany, known for its reddish-brown hue, and wenge, which is almost black. The color can vary based on the species, environment, and how the wood is finished.

The grain patterns also differ among species. For example, mahogany tends to have a straight grain, while walnut may feature swirling and unique patterns. These characteristics add visual interest and make each piece of wood unique.

Density and Durability

Density is a critical characteristic of dark hardwoods. These woods are generally denser than lighter varieties, giving them excellent durability. A denser wood is less prone to warping and damage, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.

Many dark hardwoods are known for their hardness and longevity. They resist dents and scratches, which is essential for furniture and flooring. For instance, Brazilian walnut is among the hardest hardwoods, making it ideal for outdoor and high-usage settings.

Sustainability Considerations

When choosing dark hardwood, sustainability is an important factor to consider. Many dark hardwoods come from tropical regions where deforestation can be a concern. It’s essential for buyers to look for wood that is certified sustainable.

Organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) offer certifications that ensure responsible sourcing. Choosing sustainably harvested wood helps protect the environment and promotes responsible forestry practices.

Applications of Dark Hardwood

Dark hardwoods serve various practical and aesthetic purposes, making them valuable in both interior design and furniture manufacturing. I will explore how these woods enhance spaces and their specific uses in crafting durable furniture.

Interior Design Uses

In interior design, dark hardwoods add elegance and warmth to any space. Their rich colors can create a cozy atmosphere or make a bold statement, depending on the design scheme.

Popular options include walnut and mahogany, both known for their striking appearance. I often see dark wood used in:

• Flooring: They provide a durable and stylish foundation for rooms.
• Cabinetry: Dark wood cabinets can give kitchens and bathrooms a luxurious feel.
• Accent walls: A feature wall made from dark wood can serve as a visual focal point.

The unique grain patterns and rich hues of dark hardwood enhance the overall aesthetic of a room, making them a favored choice among homeowners and designers alike.

Furniture Manufacturing

In furniture manufacturing, dark hardwoods combine strength and beauty. They are often chosen for their durable properties and stunning finishes.

I find that dark woods like oak and cherry are highly sought after for various types of furniture, including:

• Tables: Dining tables made from dark hardwood can withstand everyday use while looking great.
• Chairs: Comfortable and sturdy, chairs crafted from these materials can last for generations.
• Dressers and cabinets: These pieces benefit from the natural resistance of dark hardwood to wear and tear.

The ability to stain and finish dark woods further enhances their appeal. This allows for a variety of styles and designs to suit different tastes.