Thanks to the pandemic, most Americans are spending way more time at home, which makes it more important than ever that our living spaces reflect who we are as individuals and families. Renovation projects with hardwood are a great way to personalize your home while improving its looks, comfort, and value. “No other material rivals the range of colors, textures, and grain patterns offered by hardwood,” notes Linda Jovanovich, of the American Hardwood Information Center. “That variety allows homeowners to make any upgrade—large or small—unique so that the style and character of a room matches that of its occupants perfectly.” Here are some examples of hardwood being used to create highly individualized spaces.

Photograph: Susan Gilmore

MOLDING AND TRIMWORK SET THE TONE

Decorative millwork can turn bland interiors into memorable spaces. Minnesota–based architect Meriwether Felt installed stained-cherry moldings, trims, and casings in this master bath renovation: “The stained wood warms up the bathroom and provides richness. The client asked for a luxurious yet elegant feeling, and cherry fit the bill perfectly.”

Photograph: Sharon Risedorph

MAKING A STATEMENT WITH BUILT-IN FURNITURE
Built-in furniture looks and functions best when it’s an integral part of the architecture. This gorgeous maple box not only houses lighted display shelving, ample storage cabinetry, two walk-in closets, and a traditional Japanese bathroom, but also separates the bedroom from the home gym in this Sunnyvale, California, house by John Lum Architecture.

Photograph by RE-CO BKLYN

EMBRACING NATURE WITH LIVE-EDGE SLAB COUNTERTOPS
Live-edge wood, where the sides of the slab are left unmilled so that the natural profile of the tree trunk is retained, creates a uniquely organic vibe. Wood from a single storm-felled ash tree, sourced from a suburban backyard by RE-CO BKLYN, supplied the counters and the island’s characterful live-edge top in this Brooklyn, New York kitchen.

Photograph: Jason Hulet

PAINTED SHIPLAP EVOKES LIFE AT THE BEACH
Walls clad in painted shiplap planking are guaranteed to bring a hint of ocean breezes with them. MAC Custom Homes uses them in the bunkhouse-style kid’s bedroom of a Glenn Lake, Michigan house. The life-at-the-beach atmosphere is further augmented with porthole windows and a ladder like a ship’s companionway.

Photograph by Hunter Douglas

INTERIOR HARDWOOD SHUTTERS ADD DRAMA

Not just for hot-weather locales, hardwood louvred shutters bring a touch of tropical glamor to interiors in any climate zone. Along with their decorative appeal, operable shutters like these custom models from the Hunter Douglas Heritance hardwood collection allow for control of ventilation and light.