Nothing can add both comfort and richness to a room in quite the samethat wood can. It seamlessly blends timeless quality and comfort withup-to-the-second style and adds a level of depth to a room with an easeno other material can match. The beauty of wood is found in the naturalpattern of its grain. It is available in countless different varietiesand can be treated, polished, waxed or varnished to suite your needs.The problem with wood lies not in finding uses for it but in having thediscipline to stop your home becoming a winter wonderland!

Before deciding on what type of wood to go for, first you must decidehow you want it to speak to visitors to home. A dark oak or mahoganywill give a room classic stateliness. If this is the style for you,choose a more ornate cut for your furniture and pay close attention toperiod details such including a wooden dado rail or oversize oakdisplay cabinet. Adding finishing touches such as heavy draped curtainsand floral patterned fabrics on your settee and cushions will reallycomplete the look for relatively little expense. For a lighter feelwhich brings alpine freshness into your home, stick to a blonde woodand use it more simply and robustly. Think wood veneer walls finishedof with a sheep skin rug and an open fire. Keep patterns to a minimumand choose a pale green or winter white for your walls.

Wood is used to amazing effect if it is a little retro styling youlooking for. Try having a look online or perhaps in a local antiquestore for some original Ercol furniture which was an ever present inBritish homes during the mid twentieth century. To strengthen the lookadd fabrics in classic orange and perhaps add a little plasticdetailing in the shape of a clock or lamp then finish it off with an animal print rug or throw.

Wood can also be used to create a real ethnic or Moroccan vibe. Lookfor carved statuettes and ornaments and really layer up on yourcushions and fabrics. To really finish off the look, substitute a coffee table for a large wooden chest.

If you have perhaps gone a little overboard in your quest for minimalperfect and your front room is now a little cold and lacking inatmosphere, wood is the perfect foil. A free form tree section used asa central contrast will contrast perfectly with a pure white backdropfull of sharp angles and clean edges. Alternatively, you could includesimilarly sharp cuts of wood which echo the theme of the room asaccents in the form of lamps, picture frames or ornaments, which will all help break up the empty feel.

With wood there are so many possibilities, there is literally nothingit can't do, nothing it won't match and no room it won't enhance. Atrue chameleon of home furnishing, wood guarantees your money will not be wasted.