{"id":17210,"date":"2021-06-10T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/?p=17210"},"modified":"2026-03-24T09:19:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T13:19:00","slug":"cherry-vs-walnut-wood-for-furniture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/cherry-vs-walnut-wood-for-furniture\/","title":{"rendered":"Cherry vs. Walnut Wood for Furniture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We take another close look at comparing wood types<\/a>, and this time it\u2019s cherry versus walnut wood<\/a> for furniture. Two popular wood types that are known and loved for their rich colors and distinguished looks, cherry and walnut have characteristics that make each of them unique. Let\u2019s look at what these woods bring in terms of colors, grain pattern, workability and style.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Fenmore Dining Chair<\/a> in cherry wood with Windsor stain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Cherry vs. Walnut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some conversations might revolve around the stunning reds of cherry or the dark, exotic tones of walnut. Then there\u2019s that issue about cherry being described as a \u201csoft wood,\u201d as well as the wonder regarding cherry\u2019s ability to darken over time and the fact that walnut actually lightens slightly with age.  What should you know about these two wood types and what they contribute to fine wood furniture? Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Imperial Coffee Table <\/a>in walnut wood, built for JMX Brands CEO Jim Miller’s office.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Cherry Wood Color vs. Walnut Wood Color<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cherry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cherry wood color ranges from blonde to reddish brown. Cherry heartwood, or the wood that is located close to the center of the log, starts out a light pinkish brown color and becomes a rich red brown over time. Cherry sapwood is a pale creamy yellow color. Cherry wood colors vary among trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walnut<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Walnut wood offers rich, brown colors that range from light to dark brown. The sapwood (outer part of the tree log) is pale yellow to white and the heartwood (center of the tree log) has brown shades that vary from light brown to dark chocolate brown with some dark brown streaks. You might find some purple or gray tones too. A natural oil finish can highlight walnut\u2019s colors nicely or you can enhance them with a dark stain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Characteristics of Cherry Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the standout features of cherry creating both intrigue and enhancing its allure is its natural darkening over time with exposure to light. While darkening is expected and a hallmark of cherry wood furniture, it\u2019s important to take it into consideration when buying cherry wood furniture. You should pay careful attention to where you will position your cherry wood furniture. If it\u2019s partially exposed to sunlight, then the darkening will not occur evenly. Think also about what will be put on top of your cherry wood furniture, particularly if it\u2019s exposed to sunlight. Darkening could occur around the items that are kept on the furniture. Choosing the right spot for cherry furniture is important in order to ensure darkening occurs evenly.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Louis Philippe Chest of Drawers<\/a> in cherry wood with Laura’s cherry finish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Characteristics of Walnut Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walnut<\/a> is strong and durable. Walnut is easy to carve to add intricate detail to wood furniture. It won\u2019t warp and absorbs shock well. Walnut\u2019s color lightens over time (not as intense a change as the darkening of cherry). Walnut colors create beautiful contrast when it\u2019s used with other woods lighter in color. Walnut is stable, strong and hard, yet not heavy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cherry Wood Grain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wood grain plays such an important role in the look of wood furniture, and cherry wood grain is fine, straight, simple and smooth. This closed, uniform grain pattern and smooth texture contribute to cherry\u2019s sophisticated look. There are some imperfections in cherry wood that interrupt the smooth flow of the wood grain, and they include pith flecks (worm trackings that create a brown mark), mineral deposits (aka pitch pockets or sap pockets) and black spots that can occur randomly (these pockets are where sap was once stored) or gum pockets and some knots. Sap cherry wood may have some streaking, pitch or gum pockets. Rustic cherry<\/a> wood can contain these elements too, along with some open knots. These naturally occurring imperfections contribute to cherry\u2019s one-of-a-kind look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walnut Wood Grain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walnut wood features a fine, straight grain and medium texture. Irregularities like knots can be found. Waves and curls can occur from knots being present in walnut wood. This only adds to the unique patterns you\u2019ll find in walnut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working with Cherry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cherry is fantastic for intricate carvings and for ornate elements like those you\u2019ll find in Queen<\/a> Anne <\/a>furniture or colonial style<\/a> furniture. Working with cherry is made easier by its straight wood grain. Cherry wood is easy to cut and work with. Woodworkers can shape cherry easily. It dries pretty fast, steams well for good bending properties and it\u2019s durable. It nails and glues well and offers a grain that\u2019s smooth and takes a finish beautifully. Rich stains work well with cherry\u2019s smooth grain as well as natural finish options. While cherry is loved for rich red colors, it\u2019s important to note that the red color actually comes more from the stain you choose to finish cherry wood than from the wood itself. It\u2019s undeniable that cherry wood\u2019s grain and subtle red tones showcase a red stain beautifully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working with Walnut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walnut wood <\/a>polishes beautifully. It\u2019s easy to carve, turn and it\u2019s a good wood for steam bending. It glues well. Walnut is easy to work with hand tools, nails and screws well. Walnut\u2019s dark exotic colors are not good for paint, but they look exceptional in dark stains or a clear finish like an oiled finish that accentuates walnut\u2019s hues, making it a top choice for executive office furniture that\u2019s built to impress. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Lincoln<\/a>
The Lincoln Entertainment Center<\/a> in walnut wood built for DutchCrafters CEO Jim Miller’s office.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Walnut Strength vs. Cherry Strength<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While cherry is considered a softer hardwood, it is indeed, still a hardwood. You can rely on it for the durability and strength wood furniture brings. The \u201csofter hardwood\u201d label means it is important to take extra care with cherry wood furniture since it could show marks or dents a little easier than other hardwoods. The Janka hardness test that ranks the hardness of woods gives cherry a rating of 950, which is a little less than walnut. Walnut wood has a Janka hardness rating of 1010, pulling it out in front of cherry as the stronger wood of the two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comparing Cost: Cherry vs. Walnut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walnut is often more expensive than cherry. Walnut trees are not as readily available as cherry trees. They also don\u2019t grow as tall, producing less wood per tree than other hardwood trees. Walnut wood doesn\u2019t usually come in long boards, meaning there are often more knots to work around. Walnut is considered a high-end premium wood and the cost reflects this. Cherry, in its own right, commands a higher price than the more budget-friendly oak because oak trees are more readily available than cherry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exquisite colors of cherry and walnut woods  are used for wood furniture, cabinets, flooring, doors, musical instruments, and decorative carvings. Both are used for many different furniture styles from formal to mid century modern. <\/a>They both wear stain colors nicely or stand beautifully with a natural finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which one would you choose? Walnut or cherry?<\/p>\n

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