Solid oak or walnut dining table — what are the differences?

Written by Erik Tobben — Founder & Furniture Expert, Industrial Home

When choosing a solid wood dining table, you'll quickly face a fundamental question: oak or walnut? Both types of wood are timeless, durable, and high-quality — but they differ significantly in color, appearance, hardness, and price. In this article, we compare the two wood types side-by-side, so you can make an informed choice for your ideal dining table.

Solid Oak: Warm, Robust, and Timeless

Oak is the most popular type of wood for dining tables in the Netherlands — and for good reason. The wood has a warm, golden-brown to light beige hue that pairs well with almost any interior. The grain of oak wood is pronounced and characteristic: wide, flame-like patterns alternate with finer streaks, making each table unique.

Oak is a hard wood (Janka hardness: approx. 5,900 N), making it particularly wear-resistant. It withstands daily use well and maintains its shape under varying temperatures and humidity. With the standard stain-resistant treatment included at Industrial Home, an oak table will last for generations.

In terms of color, oak becomes more beautiful with age: the wood oxidizes slightly and develops a warmer, deeper hue. Do you want a specific color or shade? Oak is available in various color nuances — from light natural to dark brown or even gray.

Solid Walnut: Dark, Elegant, and Exclusive

Walnut (also known as "noten" or "walnut" in Dutch) has a rich, dark brown color with purple and chocolate undertones. The grain is finer and more even than oak, giving the wood a refined, luxurious appearance. Walnut looks stylish and exclusive — it is a type of wood that immediately elevates the look of your dining room.

Walnut is slightly softer than oak (Janka hardness: approx. 4,500 N) but still a robust type of wood that is excellent for furniture. It is more susceptible to scratches than oak, but this can be limited with the right finish. A unique characteristic of walnut is that the wood lightens with age — it oxidizes in the opposite direction compared to oak.

Walnut is more expensive than oak, partly because the walnut tree grows slower and is less widely available. A walnut table is therefore a true investment — a piece of furniture that lasts for generations and makes a statement in your home.

Oak vs. Walnut: The Comparison

Which wood type suits your interior?

The choice between oak and walnut strongly depends on the atmosphere you want to create:

Choose oak if you want to...

• Create a warm, inviting atmosphere
• A table that fits an industrial, Scandinavian, or rustic interior
• A table that combines well with light walls and floors
• Excellent value for money

Choose walnut if you want to...

• An exclusive, luxurious appearance
• A dark wood type that contrasts with light spaces
• A table that fits a modern, eclectic, or high-end interior
• A unique statement piece of furniture that stands out

Combination tips: how to combine the wood with your interior

Oak + black steel: The classic industrial combination. The warmth of the wood and the hardness of the steel enhance each other. Perfect for an open kitchen or loft apartment.

Oak + white or light gray: Timeless and bright. An oak table in a room with white walls and a light floor creates a calm, Scandinavian atmosphere.

Walnut + brass or gold: Warm dark tones combined with brass tones give an interior a rich, warm luxury look.

Walnut + marble or ceramic: A dark walnut base with a light marble-look top — or vice versa — is a statement combination that looks like a designer piece.

Maintenance of solid wood

Both oak and walnut require similar maintenance. The most important tips:

• Oil your table 1–2 times a year with a quality furniture oil (e.g., Rubio Monocoat or Osmo).
• Immediately remove spilled liquids — prolonged contact with water damages the wood.
• Use coasters for hot pots or dishes.
• Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods — this can affect the color.

Also read

• Solid oak dining table: why oak is the best choice for your dining room
• Japandi style: perfect for solid wood
• View all oak dining tables
• Custom solid oak table

Standard treatment: All oak and walnut tables at Industrial Home are equipped with a professional stain-resistant treatment as standard. This is included in the price — you don't have to do anything extra.

See everything live in our showroom in Beusichem

Prefer to see before you buy? In our showroom in Beusichem, you can view, touch, and compare live: dining tables, chairs, coffee tables, armchairs, bar tables, bar stools, dining benches, and various bases. Everything is set up as it would be in a real interior.

The showroom can be visited by appointment — this way you get all the attention and time to choose calmly.

Make an appointment →

Walnut maintenance: how to keep it beautiful?

Solid walnut is less demanding than many people think. The basic rule is simple: oil the wood once or twice a year with a good furniture oil or beeswax. This prevents drying out and keeps the color deep and rich.

• Daily: dust with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners.
• Weekly: possibly a mild soap for stubborn stains — always dry immediately afterward.
• Annually: apply oil or wax. This keeps the wood supple and protected.
• Scratches: for small scratches, you can use sandpaper (180-240 grit) and then re-treat. Solid wood — not veneer — so fully restorable.

Pay attention to heat and moisture: do not place hot pans directly on the wood and use a coaster. Walnut is sensitive to extremes in humidity — an indoor humidity of 45-60% is ideal.

Combining walnut: what goes well with it?

Walnut is a strong material that doesn't tolerate much competition — it speaks for itself. The best combinations:

• Base: walnut on walnut (warm and coherent) or black/matte steel (bold contrast)
• Chairs: natural leather, cognac-colored leather, rattan, light gray or beige fabric
• Floor: light wooden floor or light gray concrete look — walnut stands out beautifully
• Walls: white, soft green (sage green), terracotta or dark gray
• Lighting: brass or gold pendant lamp above the table — gold and walnut are a classic combination

What to avoid: other dark wood types in the same room (too busy), and too many red or orange tones (clashes with the purple undertones of walnut).

Price difference oak vs walnut: what to expect?

Walnut is typically 20-40% more expensive than a comparable oak table. There are two reasons for this: the walnut tree grows significantly slower than oak (and therefore produces less wood), and the demand for walnut has risen sharply in recent years due to the popularity of Japandi and modern-luxury interiors.

At Industrial Home, both wood types are available in the same configuration system. You pay for the material, the size, and the base — not for unnecessary intermediaries. The price of a custom walnut dining table starts from the mid-range and increases with size and base.

Oak or walnut: the decision aid

Still undecided? Use this quick check:

• Do you want a light, warm atmosphere? → Oak
• Do you want a dark, exclusive look? → Walnut
• Is your interior Japandi, modern or luxurious? → Walnut
• Is your interior industrial, rustic or Scandinavian? → Oak
• Do you have children and want worry-free use? → Oak (harder)
• Do you want a statement piece that stands out? → Walnut

Frequently asked questions about walnut vs oak

Is walnut harder to maintain than oak?
Not fundamentally. Both require annual oil treatment. Walnut is slightly more susceptible to scratches due to its lower Janka hardness, but as solid wood, it is fully sandable.

Can I see a walnut table before I order?
Yes. Industrial Home has showrooms in The Hague and Wijchen. Feel free to visit to feel the solid walnut wood yourself and compare it with oak.

Is walnut more durable than oak?
Both types of wood last for decades with good maintenance. Oak is harder and slightly less prone to scratches. Walnut is rarer but not more fragile if properly treated.

What color does walnut become after 10 years?
Walnut develops a warm, golden-brown patina. The wood becomes less dark (lighter) but richer in tone. After ten years, a well-maintained walnut table looks beautiful.

View all walnut dining tables →  |  View all oak dining tables →