Wenge - this shade is always heard, but when you start looking for examples of its use in interiors, search engines show a wide range of brown and burgundy shades. Which of them can be considered Wenge and which not?
All the confusion occurs for one simple reason. Wenge is a tropical tree native to East Africa. Wood differs in shades in different layers of one log. In the center it is brown, and in the sapwood it turns into cappuccino and can shimmer with milk. At the same time, younger trunks have a less saturated color. In addition, the mineral composition of the soil affects the color.
Since natural wood has high strength and a pronounced texture of coarse fibers, it is loved by manufacturers of luxury furniture. And they were right. The material is so saturated with oils that it is not afraid of moisture, fungus and mold. However, it is not easy to process. Stains, varnishes and impregnations do not take well to it. Therefore, all that can be done is to coat the furniture with wax compounds.
In view of all the above features, this type of wood belongs to expensive VIP class materials. Its imitation is actively used to create interiors in which the goal is to show the richness of the decoration.
What color is this?
Like oak or walnut, wenge is a type of wood obtained from the African tree of the same name.
Natural wood of this species has gained popularity not only due to its beautiful dark tone and pronounced texture (brown with black veins looks very decorative), but also due to its properties. The material is very dense, durable, impact resistant. Not subject to bending, rotting, infection by fungus and mold. However, complex processing and the extremely low number of remaining trees make natural material extremely expensive and practically inaccessible.
But manufacturers were able to adapt and today offer an imitation of wenge shade in 2 options:
- Lamination. Classic laminated chipboards, coated with a film of a suitable color and texture.
- Dye. Natural wood of any other species is coated with a special paint to achieve similarity to the original source.
In the photo wenge color in the kitchen
What shades of wenge are there?
Unlike oak, which can be milky, bleached, rustic, clear, natural, antique, tobacco, the wenge shade usually does not have additional names and is designated in catalogs by one word. At the same time, from different manufacturers, the wenge color looks different:
- Melinge. Deep dark brown with cool undertones achieved through gray flecks.
- Tsavo. Warm chocolate shade.
- Aruba. A rich color scheme that fades into burgundy.
- Linum. The lightest tone with the finest veins.
- Magic. Neutral dark shade.
Take the choice of wenge color in the interior responsibly: the options for combinations with other tones depend on the saturation and temperature.
Floor, doors, windows
Wenge color is used not only in furniture. It is good for floor coverings, creating a feeling of stability, confidence and security. In this case, it is desirable that the doors echo the floors at least with platbands.
Not every room can withstand the powerful pressure of dark color. And if you make the door leaves dark brown, it can significantly reduce the size of an already small room. There is an exit. It is enough to decorate only the extensions and platbands in a noble shade. And the doors in this case will be milky-creamy tones.
The same principle works for windows. In spacious living rooms and bedrooms you can install frames covered with high-quality imitation African wood. If the scope and concept of the project allows, then it is permissible to use dark window sills.
In rooms with a modest area, it is advisable to assign wenge the role of an accent and auxiliary shade.
At the same time, there should be an abundance of white and pastel colors around the noble color. In this case, you will achieve the desired result.
At the same time, there are cases when you need to create a subdued, intimate atmosphere. Billiard rooms, wine cellars, home cinemas, poker rooms - these are rooms in which an excess of dark chocolate color is appropriate. But even here it should receive an elegant frame in light colors. Instead of covering all the walls with wenge, alternate it with pearl gray, blue, pale pink, and turquoise. Give him coffee and tea shades as companions.
What colors does it go with?
Since wenge-colored furniture is almost black, this difficult shade works in much the same way. Wenge goes well with almost the entire color palette.
The first contender to pair with the wenge shade is white. Tones in contrast look bright, but restrained. Gray can be used as an additional light shade. True, in the case of melinge, the combination may become too faded - you will need to add bright accents.
Harmonizing duets are obtained by mixing wenge color with light, warm companions: beige, milky, sand. Most often, this combination is used when creating a classic interior with wenge, because is tested and working.
As for black, you shouldn’t overdo it: the maximum is to add small details to furniture in wenge color on a light background.
In the photo there is a combination with red
Don’t neglect the color scheme: wenge color in the interior looks equally good with pastel and bright colors. Cold melinge is usually combined with blue, blue, and green. Yellow, orange, and red suit warm colors. The complex aruba will sparkle in a new way next to purple.
What to pay attention to when creating a wenge bedroom?
An interesting way to liven up your bedroom with wenge style furniture is with wallpaper or photo wallpaper. When it comes to wallpaper, geometric patterns are recommended. Furniture will also look beautiful against a background of brick or stone. Cladding walls made of sandstone or clinker bricks is also an interesting solution.
Use patterned rugs or a bedding box. With wenge furniture and light walls, you can play with additions as desired. There are no restrictions here.
In the bedroom, you should prefer ethereal, shaded curtains that will not obscure the entire window, and thanks to the sliding type, will become a colorful decoration. Of course, in the bedroom you should focus on intimacy, so it is also recommended to install blinds that block out light from outside and protect the room from prying eyes.
As for the main lighting, heavy chandeliers in the bedroom should be avoided because they do not fit into this interior. They can cause anxiety if they are located just above the bed. The best solution would be delicate lamps. Remember not to be blinded by the light when you are in bed. Warm light color is also important.
In a wenge-colored bedroom, you can also install floor lamps that match the furniture. Bedside lamps on both sides will come in handy. For wenge furniture, bedside lamps with elements in silver, black, grey, sand, blue, lavender, mint, sea or plum colors are perfect for the decoration of the room.
Application options
The use of wenge shade is extensive: furniture is most often made in wenge color, but it is also used in the decoration of walls, floors, ceilings, in the manufacture of accessories and even textiles.
Wenge colored furniture
Wenge furniture in the interior is an indicator of status. Install in any room - living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, nursery, hallway.
Coffee tables, walls, and cabinets are made for the hall. In a kitchen in wenge there can be either the entire set or part of it - the lower tier is made dark, the upper - colored or light. Or they are used exclusively in the dining area: in the form of a table with chairs or a sofa.
The photo shows a classic milky brown kitchen
The bedroom can be furnished in a shade from floor to ceiling (wardrobe, bed, nightstands), or it can be used to a limited extent as an accent. A freestanding chest of drawers, for example, will draw attention to the desired area.
Interior items can be either 100% dark or mixed: for example, wenge cabinets, facades - light oak or maple. The combination of white gloss and dark wood looks modern.
Decor and accessories
Decorative elements will emphasize good taste, but will not draw the attention of guests. These could be mirrors, small coffee tables, picture frames. Carved partitions or screens that zone the space look no less impressive.
Curtains and other textiles
Of course, calling the fabric wenge is not entirely correct: this concept means the dark brown color of the textile.
Curtains are good on their own, but they look best in combination with cream, milky, olive, gray, and blue shades. The same goes for pillows and blankets on the sofa - if they are all chocolate, the composition will turn out too bland.
Doors and windows
Wenge-colored doors are a universal option for various styles. In a classic style, for example, beautiful relief canvases with bas-reliefs would be appropriate. In modern - models with straight lines, clear shapes, in minimalism - dull.
Dark windows are an excellent alternative to regular white double-glazed windows. They look more expensive and go well with interior doors.
Ladder
Owners of country houses face a difficult choice: what to make a staircase from? Regular wood is not always suitable, but dark African wood is more versatile. It looks equally good in combination with carved balusters and glass railings.
Main characteristics
Wenge also looks very stylish, which is why its distinctive pattern is so popular in today's interior design market. Its beautiful wavy pattern is similar to the color of the feathers of feathered partridges. This effect is evident in both the main Wenge cuts and the partitions, where the contrast of the wood between the dark and medium brown grains shows up in higher contrast.
Material characteristics:
- Color/Appearance : The heartwood is medium brown, sometimes tinged with reddish or yellowish, with almost black stripes. When finishing (especially with oil) the wood can become almost black.
- Grain/Texture : The grain is straight, with a very coarse texture. Low natural shine.
- Granularity : diffusely porous, large and very large, but rare pores without a specific location. Sometimes there are dark brown inclusions; the middle rays, not visible without a lens, are at an average distance from each other. The parenchyma is vasicentric, confluent, with wide stripes, usually thick, with pores.
- Durability and stability . Wenge is an extremely heavy, dense material. These characteristics give the material strength, which explains why Wenge is so popular for flooring and furniture. Wood stands the test of time.
Extremely heavy, dense material
- Laconic appearance . Has straight lumber to work with and greatly simplifies construction and design, making it easy to work with when it comes to appearance.
- Rot Resistance : Very durable, pest resistant.
- Labor intensive : Difficult to process by hand or machine. Blurres the edges of the tool. Sanding occurs unevenly due to differences in density between light and dark areas. Very splintery - care should be taken when handling unfinished wood with bare hands as splinters have an increased risk of infection.
Very large pores may be difficult to fill and are not suitable for applications where a perfectly smooth/even finish is required.
When finishing the wood can become almost black
- Odor : Wenge has a weak, slightly bitter odor when working.
- Allergies/Toxicity : Although severe reactions are quite rare, inhalation of wood dust from this tree has been reported to cause a central nervous system reaction, abdominal cramps, skin irritation, eye irritation, and is a sensitizer. In addition, splinters from it tend to take longer to heal and are also more likely to affect a larger area than splinters from other breeds.
- Pricing/Availability : Available in wide planks and veneer sheets. Prices are high and are likely to remain so as supplies dwindle.
- Sustainability : This timber species is not listed on the CITES appendix but is on the IUCN Red List. It is listed as threatened due to a decline of more than 50% over the last three generations, caused by the decline of its natural range and exploitation.
Has a sleek appearance
A wood with excellent strength and hardness properties and is also dark enough to be used as a substitute for ebony.
- Common uses: veneer, paneling, furniture, clocks, figurines and other decor. As well as finishing materials, doors, door handles, musical instruments. Noble dark shades can not only emphasize the geometry of the room, but also bring luxury and nobility to the image of the interior.
Wenge has a visual impact on others due to its chocolate brown color. It also provides great contrast when designing spaces alongside lighter, more contrasting wood species.
The tree is very durable and resistant to pests
How does it look when finished?
When carrying out major repairs and changing flooring, many turn to wenge shade. A dark floor is a noble, aesthetic, although not very practical option.
But if you have a robot vacuum cleaner in your apartment or you don’t mind cleaning once every couple of days, there shouldn’t be any problems. Of all the finishing materials, laminate, linoleum, and quartz vinyl are considered the easiest to maintain.
In the photo wenge color in the wall decoration
In addition to wenge flooring in the interior, walls are often decorated with panels of this shade. The design looks good behind the bed or opposite the sofa - as a base for a TV with an audio system.
Floors and walls are not the only option for using wenge color. Dark wood slats, for example, are often used to decorate the ceiling: the decor looks good against a white background.
In the kitchen, tone is used for countertops and backsplashes. They can even be made in one color - there is a large selection of MDF panels on the market, decorated with the same film as the work surfaces.
Dark chocolate in the kitchen
Wenge wood is resistant to moisture, so furniture made from this material can be easily used in the kitchen, becoming a permanent decoration of this room. The chocolate-colored kitchen island looks especially good. This deep color gives a warm and elegant feel to the interior, making the kitchen cozy. However, a dark, intense shade can optically make a room appear smaller, so walls and ceilings should be covered in a light tone. In addition, a light floor and appropriate lighting make the kitchen set even brighter and more expressive.
What styles is it suitable for?
Unlike red wood shades, such as beech, alder, and cherry, almost ebony is more versatile. If red is appropriate only in classic decoration, then dark brown tones are also suitable for modern trends.
Example: hi-tech. Surrounded by glass and metal, wenge looks appropriate; the main thing is to select interior items in a minimalist design.
Pure minimalism also chooses this one from all types of wood: neutral, but not black, ideal for decorating large surfaces.
When combining the incongruous (fusion), individual chocolate items will easily find their place.
What does it look like in the interior?
We have already mentioned that wenge can be used in absolutely any room. But you should remember the rule: the abundance of dark details will make the compact space even smaller. So in small rooms, use with caution and only in combination with a light palette.
Kitchen
Happy owners of large kitchens can afford a rich corner or U-shaped set with upper cabinets, pencil cases, columns, and an island. The excess of deep tone is compensated by light finishing and decor.
Important! Handles are a must for facades - thanks to them, there will be much fewer fingerprints on the doors.
The photo shows a combination of wenge color and concrete
If the kitchen is less than square meters, you need to choose what is more important to you - visual space or dark furniture. To preserve free space, at least visually, only the bottom row of cabinets is made in wenge or used locally: for countertops, chairs, and a dining table.
Living room
The rules are the same with the hall: in a large room, the entire furnishings can be in dark wood, in a small room - only small details in a wenge shade.
When choosing a TV console or a wall with many shelves and drawers, keep in mind: dust is clearly visible on the surface and you will have to wipe it 2-3 times a week. Therefore, it is better to give preference to closed storage systems.
If you don't like the rich colors of your furniture, use the color on the floors or walls.
Bedroom
A few years ago, bedroom sets with the addition of a milky shade were popular. Today they look outdated, so if you want all the furniture in one color and style, go completely dark. And to reduce bulkiness, choose a minimalist design. Light walls and floors, white or cream decor, and textiles will help make the atmosphere more comfortable.
Hallway
If the living room is the heart of the house, then the hallway is its face. The thing that is present in any entrance group is a door. Its interior design can be anything: it’s good if it harmonizes with the interior openings and is made in wenge.
The same furniture is best suited to the coffee front door. Built-in models will not look bulky, so it is better to make the cabinet to order according to an individual size.
Living room
Your living room is a place where you spend a lot of time. This is where you relax, spend time with your family or entertain guests. Depending on the layout of your home, the living room can include many different functions. It is often used as a formal seating area, a place to watch TV or socialize.
Typically, the living room will have comfortable sofas, armchairs, a coffee table, an entertainment center, and possibly a fireplace. This room can also work with wenge from minimal to contemporary designs, as well as from traditional to extravagant.
Excellent material for use in the living room
Dark brown furniture will give the area a sense of masculine security, offering tranquility and comfort. A large rug will add sophistication and spaciousness to the room. A white fireplace will be the centerpiece that will provide just the right accent. It will always be beneficial to have large windows in the room that offer more light and great views. They are especially needed if the room has dark furniture or decor.
Design ideas
High ceilings . A great way to create a ceiling is to use exposed wood beams. The height of the ceiling allows for more volume for more accent lighting, such as chandeliers or downlights.
Dark brown furniture will give the area a feeling of masculine security
French doors or large windows . As the center of the home, the living room should be a space of warmth and lightness. Large windows or French doors opening onto a garden or veranda are amazing features in any luxury living room. Having large landscape windows will make it especially nice to have a living room facing any good view or panorama.
Built-in fireplace with stove . A fireplace to warm your home instantly adds class to any living room. Decorating your fireplace in stone or brick will give the room a more characterful theme.
Warm wooden floor and floor mat . Wood flooring in light and warm colors helps provide a living room that feels consistent with the rest of the home.
An area rug is a great way to highlight an area, especially in an open floor plan where the living space is connected to the kitchen, dining room and foyer.
Interesting idea for a wall in the living room
Upholstery . There is no living room without a set of sofa and armchairs. Living room furniture comes in a variety of fabrics designed to suit the style and era the home wants to achieve. This is primarily a wide variety of leather and soft textiles that work in different styles from Modern to Neo Classical and Italian Gothic.
More than just a place to place coffee, drinks and a serving tray, a coffee table is the focal point of a modern living room .
In addition to choosing the right materials and profile for it, it is also important to pay close attention to the contents of the table, from interesting magazines to accessories that tell a story or inspire good feelings.
Stylish dining area
