HGTV Stars Love White Oak Right Now, Here's 11 Reasons Why

As a devotee of HGTV programming, you’ve likely seen white oak used in a plethora of design projects featured on the network. It's not surprising our hosts love the timeless material: it boasts a soft tone, subtle grain and organic warmth. “I love using white oak cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as in built-in cabinets in a living room,” says Jenny Marrs, co-host of Fixer to Fabulous. Ahead, HGTV hosts and designers share what you need to know when it comes to decorating with white oak.

Pictured: Designer Raili Clasen used white oak in varying stains and grains for the floors and cabinets of this Pebble Beach, California, home — as seen in HGTV Magazine.

Once relegated to the floor, white oak is now showing up in creative spots around homes: wall paneling, center islands, bespoke furniture and architectural millwork. HGTV host and designer Christina Haack used ample white oak in her The Flip Off Season 1 home.

Pictured: The stairway in Christina's renovated entry boasts white oak risers paired with gleaming white tile.

“White oak has always been one of my favorite materials to work with," says Jonathan Scott, co-host of HGTV’s Don’t Hate Your House and Chasing the West. "It's [offering] a clean palette that takes any stain beautifully. It’s also a material that will aesthetically stand the test of time.” Though the material can be pricey, Jonathan and his brother and co-host, Drew Scott, tricked the system when renovating their parents' home: "We couldn't find a white oak arched door in our budget, so we bought a red oak one and bleached it," they told HGTV Magazine.

“It's Ben's all-time favorite species to work with and more often than not, his first choice when building custom furniture for virtually any architectural style,” says Erin Napier, co-host of Home Town, of her husband, Ben Napier, who built this crib made of white oak for their first daughter.

“White oak is classic, yet modern and clean. I think it's versatile and one of the most beautiful hardwoods to incorporate into any style home,” says Jenny, who uses the material in 99% of her home projects. Here, Jenny's husband and co-host, Dave Marrs, created a white oak display case with offset shelving for their client’s wine collection. He honored the home’s original construction by recycling screen doors from the old kitchen to fashionably conceal drinkware.

Unstained white oak starts out as a light tan color and can age to a slightly deeper honey or medium brown tone. Exposure to sunlight can subtly darken it over time. And you can always restain down the road: “One light sanding and some staining later, you’ve got a new floor color,” says Luxe For Less host Michel Smith Boyd. “You’re not locked in — white oak gives you license to update later because it stains so well.”

“I always finish with a water-based clear coat to keep the natural warmth rather than a yellow sheen," says Jenny. And Jean Liu, principal designer, Jean Liu Design, agrees, saying, "White oak should always be considered when looking at hardwood floors. In a perfect world, I love 8-inch-wide planks or more and shy away from anything narrower than 6 inches. White oak should be sealed, even if it’s just with a clear coat.” Here, Jean used a white oak fluted wall covering in the foyer of the 2022 Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse in Dallas, Texas.

"White oak is a huge staple of all my designs," says HGTV’s Windy City Rehab host Alison Victoria. "From flooring to cabinets to wall paneling to furniture. It’s so neutral and doesn’t have those red or yellow undertones, so you get a really beautiful base." While renovating the kitchen during Season 6 of Ugliest House in America, Alison paired white oak cabinets with pink appliances and accents (including an iconic pink range hood).

As a dense wood, white oak has a closed pore structure. What that means: Growths called tyloses form within the wood, effectively plugging its pores and making the wood watertight and resistant to general wear, dents and scratches. This is one of the reasons white oak is ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens.

"Some people throw up paint as an accent wall, I throw up white oak as an accent wall. It was important in [Michel and I's] house," says Alison, who decked the walls of her Season 6 Rock the Block entry with white oak paneling. "Just walking in the front door and seeing the white oak paneling felt like the entranceway was giving you a hug.”

“White oak flooring typically features a straight, subtle grain with a hint of warmth," says Kate Marker, principal designer, Kate Marker Interiors. "Its undertones lean neutral — neither too yellow nor too pink — making it incredibly adaptable to a variety of palettes. I love using wide planks (around 6 to 7 inches) for a more modern and expansive touch, though narrower widths can feel more classic and traditional.”

“I personally like it for its warmth and the versatility that comes from it being a lighter color," agrees Paloma Contreras, interior designer, Paloma Contreras Design. "You can use narrower planks for a more traditional, formal look while wider planks feel more modern and casual.”