Lesson 5: Describing wood types and finishes

Alright, let’s talk about wood, because honestly? This is where AI absolutely shines. When you nail the wood description in your prompt, the results are chef’s kiss. But when you’re vague or use the wrong terms, things can look weird or cheap.

As designers, we know wood isn’t just “wood.” The species, the finish, the grain—it all communicates something different. And thankfully, AI has seen enough high-quality interior photography to understand these distinctions really well.

The Wood Species That AI Recognizes:

Light Woods:

• White oak – Currently the darling of modern design, beautiful grain
• Maple – Clean, subtle grain, very light
• Ash – Light with distinctive grain pattern
• Birch – Smooth, uniform, slightly cool-toned
• Pine – More rustic, visible knots
• Beech – Tight grain, warm undertones

Medium Woods:

• Natural oak – Classic, warm, visible grain
• Walnut (light walnut) – Rich but not dark, sophisticated
• Teak – Warm honey tones, tight grain
• Cherry – Warm reddish tones, ages beautifully
• Hickory – Strong grain, rustic character

Dark Woods:

• Dark walnut – Chocolate brown, luxurious
• Espresso – Very dark, almost black
• Ebony – True black wood
• Mahogany – Rich reddish-dark brown
• Rosewood – Dark with interesting grain patterns

Here’s the thing about species names: AI really does know the difference.

“Oak flooring” vs. “White oak flooring” – You’ll see it. White oak reads more modern and tends lighter and grayer.

“Wood table” vs. “Walnut dining table” – Walnut will give you that rich, sophisticated look versus generic brown.

But species alone isn’t enough. You need to add finish descriptors:

Finish Types That Transform the Look:

Natural/Light Finishes:

• Natural finish – Shows the wood as-is
• Light wash – Pale, Scandinavian vibe
• Whitewashed – Grain visible through white pigment
• Lime wash – Similar to whitewashed but more textured
• Bleached – Very pale, almost driftwood-like
• Raw – Unfinished look, matte

Clear/Medium Finishes:

• Clear finish – Protects but doesn’t change color
• Satin finish – Slight sheen, elegant
• Oiled – Rich but matte, shows grain beautifully
• Waxed – Similar to oiled, slightly more sheen
• Honey-toned – Warm amber glow

Dark/Rich Finishes:

• Stained – Can specify color: walnut stain, espresso stain, etc.
• Dark stain – Rich, dramatic
• Espresso stain – Very dark brown
• Ebonized – Black or near-black finish
• Charred (shou sugi ban) – Japanese technique, black and textured

Specialty Finishes:

• Distressed – Worn, vintage appearance
• Weathered – Aged, grayed look
• Reclaimed – Old wood with character and patina
• Wire-brushed – Textured surface
• Cerused – White or colored wax in the grain
• High-gloss – Super shiny, very formal

How to combine species + finish in your prompts:

Good: “Oak flooring” Better: “White oak flooring with natural finish” Best: “Wide-plank white oak flooring with matte natural finish”

See how each layer adds clarity? The AI knows exactly what you’re envisioning.

Examples from different styles:

Scandinavian/Modern: “Light white oak flooring” or “Blonde wood with matte finish”

Mid-Century Modern: “Warm walnut credenza” or “Teak dining table with oiled finish”

Rustic/Farmhouse: “Reclaimed pine beams” or “Distressed oak dining table”

Industrial: “Raw wood and metal shelving” or “Charred wood accent wall”

Luxury/Traditional: “Dark walnut paneling” or “Mahogany built-ins with satin finish”

Beach/Coastal: “Driftwoodgray oak flooring” or “Weathered teak outdoor furniture”

Pro tips for wood in prompts:

1. Match wood tones for cohesion: If you mention multiple wood elements, keep them consistent: “Walnut dining table, walnut chairs, walnut sideboard” – Cohesive “Oak table, pine chairs, mahogany sideboard” – Might look chaotic

Unless you’re deliberately mixing: “Modern kitchen with white oak cabinets and black walnut island” – This works because it’s intentional contrast.

2. Use wood grain as a descriptor:

• “Subtle grain” – For refined, minimal looks
• “Prominent grain” – For rustic or character-rich pieces
• “Tight grain” – For smooth, uniform appearance
• “Wide grain” – For dramatic wood patterns

3. Specify plank width for flooring:

• “Wide-plank oak flooring” – Modern, spacious feeling
• “Narrow oak strips” – More traditional
• “Herringbone oak floor” – Pattern + species = very specific

4. Don’t forget wood ceilings and walls:

• “Tongue and groove white oak ceiling”
• “Vertical wood slat wall in walnut”
• “Shiplap wall in whitewashed pine”

Common mistakes I see:

❌ “Wood floor” – Too vague, you’ll get generic brown

❌ “Dark wood” – Could be anything from walnut to espresso to black

❌ “Nice wood finish” – AI doesn’t know what “nice” means to you

❌ Mixing formal names with casual: “Mahogany and driftwood” – Pick a tone level

✅ “White oak flooring”

✅ “Dark walnut finish”

✅ “Natural matte wood”

✅ “Walnut and maple combination”

How wood reads in different lighting:

This is advanced but important: Wood looks different depending on your lighting description.

“White oak flooring, warm natural light” – Will look honey-toned and inviting “White oak flooring, cool daylight” – Will look grayer and more modern “Walnut furniture, golden hour lighting” – Will glow warm and rich “Walnut furniture, overcast light” – Will look cooler and more sophisticated

The texture words that enhance wood descriptions:

• Smooth
• Textured
• Grainy
• Knotty
• Refined
• Rustic
• Polished
• Matte
• Satin

“Smooth walnut dining table” vs. “Rustic knotty pine table” – Completely different vibes, both valid.

My personal favorite combinations:

For modern spaces: “White oak with matte natural finish” For warmth: “Honey-toned oak” or “Warm walnut” For drama: “Dark walnut with satin finish” or “Ebonized oak” For coastal: “Weathered teak” or “Driftwood gray finish” For organic: “Live edge walnut” or “Raw oak with visible knots”

Quick exercise: Look at a room photo with wood elements. Can you name the species? The finish? The grain pattern? Practice this and your prompts will become so much more precise.

Remember: Good wood descriptions make your spaces feel expensive and thoughtfully designed. “Wood” is generic. “Wide-plank white oak with a matte natural finish” is a choice. And AI rewards choices.

Now let’s talk about fabric, because if wood is about structure, fabric is about soul…