20 Gorgeous Ways to Style Stained Wood Furniture

“Brown furniture often has a reputation of making a room look dark and dreary — however, this is not the case, says Liz Caan of Liz Caan & Co., a Massachusetts-based interior design firm. “In a lot of my projects, I like to mix in brown furniture to support the overall aesthetic and design of a room.” Here, a handsome desk’s Eastern silhouette complements ornate artwork, vivid drapes and delicate wallpaper.

Caan contends that stained pieces which could read as dull or lifeless can actually be instrumental in enlivening a room: "The right amount of brown furniture in a white or brighter space will create a warm and inviting atmosphere,” she says. Exhibit A: in this massive foyer, a honey-toned dining table focuses two stories’ worth of white space in a cozy vignette.

Consider this eclectic seating area, where a well-loved dresser adds gravitas to pop ceramics and playful teal paint. “More often than not, clients have brown furniture already within their home as these pieces have been passed down from generations before,” Caan says. “These pieces hold the most sentimental value and history; antique pieces have the most soul.”

It’s considerably easier to know where pieces should go when you know where they’ve been. “I always encourage clients to do their research and to learn about the different styles and time periods that these pieces come from,” Caan says. “This will help homeowners find the perfect brown furniture for their space and be prepared when they decide that they need more for their home!”