Oak color: shades and combinations in the interior, laminate, furniture 100 photos

Oak wood is a very popular material. It has high strength, resistance to decay, and excellent aesthetic qualities. Spectacular texture with expressive large patterns and a rich range of shades allow you to create picturesque interiors in a variety of styles. It is not surprising that manufacturers of furniture, doors and various utensils so widely use both natural material and chipboard materials - MDF, laminated chipboard with a coating imitating the color of oak.

Features and color characteristics

The color of oak wood is light straw, light brown or yellow as the tree matures, it becomes darker. Different processing methods make it possible to obtain a rich palette of warm and cold shades with varying degrees of saturation. There are species with natural dark, almost black wood. Oak can always be recognized by its well-drawn characteristic pattern.

Colors and shades of oak

The range of shades is surprisingly wide. There are many options in the palette. From bleached wood, light - gray, golden, beige to dark brown - wenge and absolutely black. Thanks to the possibilities of modern methods of wood processing, it is possible to create even more varied shades and textures.

Bleached or bleached oak

Natural white wood is found only in young members of the species. But such trees are not used in production, and over time, their wood darkens. And even from real White Oak it is impossible to make a product on the market called "White Oak". The wood of this tree is somewhat darker. Where does the huge assortment of products come from in ash white, pearl, snow white, vanilla, cream, silver white or ivory?

In order for the material to receive an elegant white shade, it needs to undergo a bleaching procedure with a variety of chemical solutions. After processing, the wood is impregnated with oil, and varnish is applied on top. This technology makes it possible to obtain the so-called "bleached oak". Various methods of bleaching using different types of oak make it possible to obtain such shades as milk, milky, bleached oak, Atlanta oak, etc.

Golden oak

Natural oak wood has a light straw color. This color is closest to golden hue. If you lightly tint the wood or cover it with a special varnish, you can get a thick or light shade of gold.

Also, golden notes are present in the color of the oak called Rustic. This type of treatment allows the surface of the wood to age. The natural relief of the surface is increased artificially, and the protruding scallops are painted in a darker color. In the natural environment, a similar effect is obtained from prolonged exposure to the sun, water and wind. The combination of honey and caramel shades with the color of burnt sugar looks very impressive, although it does not always give a golden color.

There are also shades of gold in the sedan oak, which is obtained through special processing.

Dark oak

The dark color of oak can be natural or artificial.

Under natural conditions, a dark rich color of wood is characteristic of special oak species. For example, for a variety called "Cognac", which grows in European countries, not excluding the British Isles.

Wood can darken from prolonged exposure to water. The oak, which has lain in the water for more than one century, is considered the most valuable and is called "stained".

Today, a similar effect can be obtained using an ordinary stain or thermal treatment, which, among other things, increases such characteristics of wood as:

• strength;
• hardness;
• durability;
• appearance.

Black oak

One of the most valuable types of black oak is stained wood, which has been under water for about 1000 years. The material "aged" in this way changes its properties and turns into a durable super-strong product, close in strength and hardness to iron.

The fake stain process also produces blacks and smoky hues. That is why parquet floors and laminate in black and gray tones are so popular, which can bring notes of age-old luxury and stylish touches of technological modernity to the interior.

Black wood is also found in nature. For example, the Wenge oak, found in the jungles of West Africa, has a dark chocolate color that looks almost black due to its darker veins.

In the video presented, you can get acquainted with the variety of materials with shades of oak.

Combinations with other colors

Bleached colors have become especially in demand with the advent of white interiors. Also, the following shades go well with bleached oak - light lilac, blue denim, soft emerald, golden, silver, violet-gray, black.

Combinations of golden oak with warm ocher colors look beneficial in the interior. Straw, red, brown, yellow ocher and dark chocolate are perfect for it. All the color richness of wood will be fully revealed in combination with gold or silver details.

Dark oak products and finishes will look great in the interior in combination with velvety orange, reddish red, rich tomato, olive, deep dark blue, gold, silver, black.

Black oak looks spectacular next to white, light gray, sky blue, beige, brown, champagne, scarlet, yellow, gray, gold and silver.

Color stylistics

Designers recommend using oak furniture and furnishings in country houses, summer cottages. Natural shades will look organic in them. They are perfect for a rustic country style, Provence, loft. The bleached materials will perfectly fit into the Scandinavian style, minimalism. Dark representatives with equal success will occupy a worthy position in both classic and modern styles.

For small rooms, it is better to choose materials made in light colors. They will visually increase the space. Dark colors are perfect for spacious halls, dining rooms or offices.

Shades of oak color in the interior

The variety of shades allows you to choose the optimal colors for each room in the house. Correctly selected materials will help to emphasize the merits of the room, correct its shortcomings, set a certain style direction and determine the nature of the interior. Oak furniture, floors, doors, windows, various decor and even wallpaper imitating natural oak wood will create a pleasant cozy atmosphere and fill the house with warmth.

In the living room

The choice of oak color for the living room depends on its size and style. In a small room, bleached materials will look good. For example, bleached shades or sonoma oak, which has a grayish-pink tint with whitish stains, will make the room visually lighter and more airy.

Decorations and furniture in a pleasant light color will look simple and elegant. Such design elements:

• make the interior stylish;
• fit well into any color scheme;
• create a feeling of free, uncluttered space;
• will be very practical - dust and small scratches are practically invisible on them;
• will become a worthy element of many interior solutions.

Dark tones - wenge, smoky, black stained oak - are a good choice for spacious rooms. Floors, furniture, made in similar shades, will become a worthy decoration of such premises, will add notes of luxury and presentability to them.

In the hall

In the hallway, in addition to finishing from oak, a wardrobe, an open hanger, a shoe rack, a bench can be made. The composition will be perfectly supported by a mirror or a picture in an oak frame, lamps made of thin slats. The front door must be selected in such a way that it is combined with interior doors, with furniture and with skirting boards.

Since the hallway is most often a small room, light shades are also appropriate here. Dark ones work well as accents against light neutral walls. For the floor, it is better to choose a darker material with a pronounced woody pattern. On it, scuffs and chips are not so noticeable, which will inevitably appear due to contact with hard soles and heels.

In the kitchen

The kitchen is the pride of any hostess and a cozy place in the house, where not only family members but also guests love to gather. Here, elements made of oak are most appropriate. This can be the floor, walls, furniture, various utensils and even a chandelier. The light oak countertop looks great, complemented by a decorative protective panel in the same colors.

At the same time, we must not forget that in this room the furniture gets dirty much more. Greasy stains, splashes of water, fingerprints - all this forces you to turn to the least easily soiled colors. Grayish shades with whitish streaks and dark streaks will perfectly hide any minor dirt. This is especially true in sunny rooms, where every speck or speck of dust is simply striking. On dark surfaces, hiding flaws will not work. Therefore, in well-lit kitchens, it is better to use headsets in light colors. Surprisingly, it will be even easier to care for them than for their black counterparts with a matte surface.

It's a different matter if the kitchen is on the north side. In this case, dark surfaces are fine. And if the kitchen is not often cooked, such interior elements will not bring any special worries.

When choosing a shade of oak finish or furniture, you need to be guided by the dimensions of the catering unit. In a small kitchen, light shades will be optimal, which will give lightness to the interior and will not give a crushing effect. At a minimum, the upper tier of the headset should be made light. Then there will be a feeling of spaciousness and the room will be filled with air.

In the bedroom

The choice of oak color for the bedroom is primarily determined not even by the size of the room, but by the preferences and gender of its future owner.

For a woman, romantic pinkish-gold shades are an excellent choice. They will go well with delicate textiles and accessories, and will emphasize the femininity of the hostess.

The men's bedroom is a combination of functionality with a certain measure of brutality. Dark tones and sharp contrasts will be appropriate here. Wenge oak, combined with heavy linen fabrics, is an excellent choice for a masculine hideout.

The room where the couple dwells should be a compromise for the two opposites. In such an interior, it is better to use light golden or gray shades, honey or smoky. The choice depends on the taste of the owners, the size of the room, the degree of its illumination and the chosen style solution.

In the nursery

The nursery is usually presented as a cute airy world, where there is no place for dark shades. And this is absolutely true if we are talking about a toddler's room or a “princess's” bedroom. Whitewashed silver, pearl, beige shades reign here. They are complemented by airy textiles in delicate or bright colors.

A child who has entered adolescence is unlikely to appreciate such an interior. Most likely he will seem too childish to him. For a teenager, catchy color accents and daring decisions are relevant. Therefore, dark and even black furniture combined with bright posters and photographs of his favorite bands may seem more attractive to him.

In the office

Oak furniture traditionally adorns classic classrooms. As a rule, it is a massive table, armchair, bureau or secretaire made of luxurious dark wood, finished with natural leather or cloth, richly decorated with carvings or inlaid. The furniture in such offices is the main character. Luxurious and noble, it speaks of the respectability of its owner and his commitment to traditional interior design. In such an environment, it is not a shame to receive business partners, important guests. As a rule, this is how offices in wealthy private houses are equipped.

In the offices furnished in the apartments, decorated in a modern style, oak furnishings and finishes are just as appropriate. But for such interiors, it is better to use minimalistic models - without any special decorations. Any shade will do - it all depends on the preferences of the home office owner. Someone likes a strict environment in dark colors, others like to work in an atmosphere of snow-white lightness and freshness, while others are attracted by golden and honey shades. Some people like practical and unassuming furniture in sonoma oak tones, which is the best way to help you focus on work. Its main advantages are that it allows you to create:

• working atmosphere;
• cosiness;
• durable and non-marking interior.

Oak flooring

An oak floor will brighten up any interior. Thanks to the variety of shades, it will perfectly fit into a variety of styles - from traditional classics to trendy modern.

Whitewashed oak will bring sophistication and airiness to the interior, the golden coating will add comfort and warmth, cognac and honey shades will create an elegant and luxurious atmosphere, black wood hints at the solid financial status of the owners.

Combinations of boards of different colors look interesting. The variegated coating will perfectly decorate both light and dark interiors. They can be laid out in the form of brickwork or herringbone.

Rustic floors look luxurious. Aged planks with a clearly visible texture bring the spirit of history into the interior design. The prominently dark and expressive scallops of the woody texture are eye-catching and make the floor even more spectacular. Such floors look especially good in a country or loft. The atmosphere of Provence is perfectly emphasized by worn gray planks.

There is another unusual variant of the oak floor color - smoky gray. Designers very often use such coatings in styles such as modern, modern minimalism and even technological high-tech. In each of these interiors, gray floors made of natural oak, laminate or parquet boards will look just great. Houseplants and flowers in luxurious pots look very picturesque against the background of a wooden floor. A palm or ficus is great, but plants with flowers - roses can also become a bright accent against the background of restrained and unassuming wood.

Conclusion

The abundance of shades of oak color will allow you to choose the best option for decorating your apartment. The photo shows the implemented ideas of designers who demonstrate how you can fit oak products or their imitation in the interior.