Types of Wooden Furniture You Can Create with Exotic Woods

Choosing the right wood is one of the most important decisions in furniture making. The grain, color, workability, and character of the wood you select will determine not only how your finished piece looks, but how it performs over time. For many woodworkers, luthiers, and designers, exotic woods offer opportunities to create truly unique, heirloom-quality furniture and small artistic pieces.

At CamWoods, we import select exotic woods specifically suited for custom furniture builds, fine woodworking, instrument making, and turned crafts. This guide will help you understand how the woods we carry — including Walnut, Maple, Rosewood, Ebony, Myrtlewood, Amboyna Burl, Madrone, Camphor, and Palm Wood — can be used in furniture and accent design.

How Wood Choice Shapes Furniture Design

Different species of wood vary in color, hardness, texture, and grain movement. These differences influence:

• Structural strength
  
• Carving or shaping ease
  
• How finishes and oils are absorbed
  
• The visual tone of the final piece
  

Many makers choose to build primary furniture structures from one wood, then use exotic woods as accent elements to create contrast, highlight craftsmanship, or add character.

Walnut Furniture

Walnut is a favorite among furniture makers for its warm brown color and reliable workability. It has a balanced grain structure that allows for clean shaping, smooth edges, and a refined matte or oiled finish.

Best Uses for Walnut Furniture

• Custom tables and desks
  
• Bed frames or bench seating
  
• Cabinetry and built-in shelving
  
• Chair frames and legs
  

Walnut works well in modern, mid-century, and traditional designs. Many makers use walnut as the main structural wood and pair it with exotic accents such as ebony or amboyna burl for visual contrast.

Maple Furniture

Maple is known for its smooth, even grain and light coloring. It’s a versatile foundation wood that finishes cleanly and pairs easily with darker accent woods.

Best Uses for Maple Furniture

• Dining and coffee tables
  
• Dressers, sideboards, or drawer sets
  
• Shelving and storage units
  
• Furniture that benefits from a clean, bright tone
  

Maple is often used in contemporary and minimalist designs where the emphasis is on clean surfaces and subtle detail.

Rosewood Furniture

Ebony Furniture and Accent Work

Ebony wood is known for its naturally dark, nearly black color and extremely smooth finish. It is dense and visually striking, making it ideal for small elements that add definition and contrast.

Best Uses for Ebony in Furniture

• Drawer pulls and knobs
  
• Trim, inlay, and edge banding
  
• Decorative joinery
  
• Instrument fingerboards and bridges
  

Because of its density, ebony is typically used in detail work rather than large furniture surfaces. Its visual presence can elevate an otherwise simple piece into something refined and memorable.

Myrtlewood in Furniture

Myrtlewood is well known for having a range of color movement—from golden tones to olive and brown streaking.

Best Uses for Myrtlewood Furniture

• Custom tabletops and small tables
  
• Accent panels and drawer faces
  
• Artistic display pieces
  
• Turned bowls and sculptural furniture accents
  
  

Myrtlewood works best in designs that highlight natural color variation as a primary visual feature.

Madrone Wood in Furniture

Madrone has gentle pinkish-to-red, brown tones, and a subtle grain. Madrone burl pieces are especially valued for their swirling figure and organic visual movement.

Best Uses for Madrone

• Small furniture accents
  
• Veneer panels
  
• Decorative drawer fronts
  
• Turned bowls and art pieces
  
  

It is appreciated most in custom pieces and boutique furniture work where natural detail is a priority.

Amboyna Burl for Luxury Furniture Details

Amboyna burl is known for its striking, highly figured grain and warm tone. It is often used sparingly to create luxury focal points.

Best Uses for Amboyna Burl

• Inlay work
  
• Accent drawer and door panels
  
• Decorative lid tops on boxes or cabinetry
  
• Signature detail elements on fine furniture
  
  

Amboyna is often used as the visual highlight in custom furniture projects.

Camphor and Palm Wood in Furniture

Camphor has a warm tone and natural aromatic scent, making it suitable for smaller furniture pieces and carved detailing.

Palm Wood has a unique, fiber-based grain pattern that works well in accent components.

These species are often used in:

• Small boxes
  
• Decorative inserts
  
• Carved details
• Accent handles or trim
  

Combining Exotic Woods in One Furniture Piece

Many makers use Walnut or Maple as the main structure, then add accent elements such as:

• Ebony handles
  
• Amboyna burl panels
  
• Rosewood edging or front faces
  

This approach:

• Controls cost
  
• Introduces visual contrast
  
• Highlights craftsmanship
• Makes the finished piece feel custom and intentional
  

Conclusion

The type of wood you choose shapes both the beauty and function of your furniture. Exotic woods like walnut, maple, rosewood, ebony, myrtlewood, amboyna burl, madrone, camphor, and palm wood each have their place in furniture design — whether as the main material or as artistic accent work.

CamWoods supplies select exotic woods for furniture makers, instrument builders, and artisans who want to create work that stands out.