Maple vs. Walnut: Which Wood Is the Better Investment for Your Home?

Sep 24, 2025

Let’s Settle This: Maple or Walnut?

If you’ve been browsing custom furniture, you’ve likely come across two popular choices: maple and walnut. They’re both hardwoods. They’re both beautiful. And yes they’re both proudly Canadian-made.

But when it comes to investing in custom furniture, you want more than just looks. You want to know what works for your home, your lifestyle, and your long-term plans.

So, which wood wins?

Let’s break it down.

1. Tone & Aesthetic

Maple: Light, Clean, and Modern

Maple has a soft, creamy tone with subtle grain perfect for:

Minimalist interiors
Smaller spaces that need brightening
Homes with cooler accents like concrete, glass, or steel

It plays well in neutral or Scandinavian inspired palettes and doesn’t overpower a room.

Think: Quiet elegance that doesn’t compete with the rest of your space.

Walnut: Dark, Rich, and Dramatic

Walnut leans into deep browns with striking, fluid grain patterns. It’s ideal if you want:

Warmth and depth
A bold, statement piece
Contrast in light-toned rooms

Think: A centrepiece with presence. A conversation starter. A table that anchors the room.

2. Durability & Daily Use

Both maple and walnut are considered hardwoods but they perform slightly differently.

Maple is dense and highly resistant to scratches and nicks. It’s a top choice for families, busy dining rooms, and high traffic areas.
Walnut is slightly softer but still durable. It’s better suited for pieces like coffee tables, bedroom furniture, or dining tables in lower-wear households.

Pro Tip: If you have kids, pets, or lots of daily use maple may be the more practical long term pick.

3. Aging & Patina

Maple tends to stay true to its original color but may amber slightly with age (especially in natural light).
Walnut develops a richer patina over time its hues deepen, and the grain becomes even more pronounced.

Both age beautifully. Just in different ways.

4. Cost & Value

Here’s the truth:
Walnut is typically more expensive than maple.

Why?

Walnut trees grow slower and are less common.
The rich color and bold grain demand a premium.

Maple offers more value per dollar and is often the go to for large builds (like long dining tables or built ins) when budget is a factor.

That said, both woods hold their value far better than veneered or mass produced options. They’re true investments.

5. Sustainability & Sourcing

Both walnut and maple are locally sourced here in Canada, which:

Supports sustainable forestry
Reduces shipping emissions
Strengthens the local economy

If you're looking to minimize your footprint, you can’t go wrong with either.