Choosing the right wood is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in any DIY, furniture-building, or home-improvement project. Whether you’re crafting a coffee table, building garage shelving, or creating decorative trim inside your home, the type of wood you select will directly impact how your project looks, how long it lasts, and how easy it is to build.

But for beginners, wood aisles can feel overwhelming: pine, spruce, fir, cedar, redwood… plus hardwoods like oak, maple, cherry, walnut, and more. Each wood species has unique strengths, weaknesses, prices, uses, and working characteristics.

Wood is one of the most versatile materials for crafting, construction, and home décor. But the type you choose will influence:

Strength and durability
Cost of your project
Ease of cutting, sanding, and finishing
Resistance to insects, moisture, and decay
Appearance (grain, color, and texture)

For example, a cottage-style painted bookshelf might do perfectly well in pine or poplar, while a dining table requires a harder, more durable wood like oak or maple. Outdoor projects require rot-resistant species like cedar or redwood. Understanding these differences is the key to avoiding wasted money and poor results.

This guide breaks down each species shown in your image and expands on how to choose the right one for your needs.

2. Softwood vs Hardwood: What’s the Difference?

Many beginners believe hardwoods are always “hard” and softwoods are always “soft,” but that’s not true. The terms describe the botanical category of the tree, not its density.

Softwoods

Come from coniferous trees (evergreens)
Typically lighter and easier to work with
More affordable
Commonly used in construction and DIY beginner projects
Examples: Pine, Spruce, Fir, Cedar, Redwood

Hardwoods

Come from deciduous trees
Generally harder, stronger, and more durable
More expensive
Preferred for furniture, flooring, and high-end projects
Examples: Poplar, Oak, Maple, Cherry, Walnut

Both categories have strengths and unique uses. The key is matching your project’s requirements with the correct material.

3. Softwoods for DIY Projects

Softwoods are excellent for first-time builders because they’re affordable, easy to cut, and widely available at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and local lumberyards.

Pine

Type: Softwood
Features: Inexpensive, easy to work with, but not as strong as other woods
Uses: Furniture, construction, shelving, trim, craft projects

What Makes Pine Popular

Pine is one of the most widely used woods in the world. It’s affordable, lightweight, and incredibly beginner-friendly. You can cut, sand, or drill it without specialized tools. It also takes paint and stain well, although soft spots can cause blotching unless you use a pre-stain conditioner.

Pros

Budget-friendly
Easy to screw, nail, or glue
Available in many sizes and formats
Lightweight
Great for painted projects

Cons

Dents and scratches easily
Knots can bleed through paint
Not ideal for outdoor exposure

Best Pine Projects

Bookshelves
Storage cabinets
Kids’ furniture
Wall paneling or shiplap
Indoor benches
DIY farmhouse décor

Spruce

Type: Softwood
Features: Similar to pine, but slightly stronger
Uses: Framing, construction, basic furniture projects

Spruce is commonly sold as SPF lumber (Spruce-Pine-Fir). It’s a construction-grade wood known for strength relative to its weight.

Pros

Affordable and widely available
Good strength-to-weight ratio
Stable and less prone to warping

Cons

Not as attractive for furniture
Rough grain makes it harder to sand smooth

Best Spruce Projects

Framing walls
Workbenches
Utility shelves
Garage storage racks

Fir (Douglas Fir)

Type: Softwood
Features: Strong, durable, more expensive than pine
Uses: Framing, construction, flooring underlayment, structural work

Douglas fir is one of the strongest softwoods available. Many builders choose it when they need structural integrity.

Pros

Stronger and harder than pine or spruce
Great dimensional stability
Good for large structural cuts

Cons

Not ideal for stain—grain can be uneven
Harder on tools compared to pine

Best Fir Projects

Doors
Beams
Outdoor furniture (if sealed properly)
Sturdy work surfaces

Cedar

Type: Softwood
Features: Naturally rot-resistant and insect-resistant
Uses: Outdoor furniture, fences, decks, planters

Cedar has natural oils that resist moisture, decay, and pests like termites. This makes it one of the best woods for outdoor projects.

Pros

Doesn’t rot easily
Lightweight
Beautiful color and aroma
Repels insects

Cons

More expensive than pine
Soft—can dent easily
Color fades in sunlight if not sealed

Best Cedar Projects

Outdoor benches
Garden beds
Siding
Pergolas
Deck railings

Redwood

Type: Softwood
Features: Extremely rot- and insect-resistant; more expensive
Uses: Outdoor projects requiring durability, harsh environment exposure

Redwood is premium outdoor lumber. It lasts decades with minimal maintenance.

Pros

High resistance to decay and bugs
Dimensional stability in harsh weather
Beautiful red tones

Cons

Expensive
Not available everywhere
Too soft for high-wear applications

Best Redwood Projects

High-end decks
Fences
Outdoor seating
Garden arbors

4. Hardwoods for Furniture & Fine Woodworking

Hardwoods are heavier, denser, more durable, and typically more beautiful than softwoods. This makes them ideal for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative finishes.

Poplar

Type: Hardwood
Features: Versatile, light-colored, straight grain, easy to work
Uses: Trim, molding, furniture, cabinets, painted projects

Poplar is one of the best hardwoods for beginners because it’s inexpensive and easy to machine. Though technically a hardwood, it’s softer than oak or maple.

Pros

Affordable relative to other hardwoods
Very smooth grain
Easy to cut and shape
Perfect for painted furniture

Cons

Dents more easily than other hardwoods
Doesn’t take stain well (often turns blotchy)

Best Poplar Projects

Cabinet frames
Drawer boxes
Interior trim
Painted desks & tables

Oak

Type: Hardwood
Features: Strong, durable, bold grain pattern
Uses: Furniture, flooring, tables, cabinetry, staircases

Oak is one of the most popular furniture woods due to its unmatched strength and distinctive grain.

Pros

Extremely durable
Excellent for heavy-use furniture
Ages beautifully
Takes stain evenly

Cons

Heavy
Harder on tools
More expensive than softwoods

Best Oak Projects

Dining tables
Bed frames
Dressers
Hardwood flooring
Built-ins

Maple

Type: Hardwood
Features: Smooth, even grain
Uses: Furniture, butcher blocks, cutting boards, cabinetry

Maple is dense and very strong, making it popular for durable furniture and surfaces.

Pros

Super smooth grain
Very strong and wear-resistant
Excellent for modern, clean designs

Cons

Can be challenging to stain evenly
Heavy

Best Maple Projects

Kitchen cabinets
Worktops
Cutting boards
Modern-style furniture

Cherry

Type: Hardwood
Features: Beautiful grain and natural color
Uses: High-end furniture, fine woodworking

Cherry wood darkens over time, developing a rich, warm patina.

Pros

Luxurious appearance
Easy to shape and sand
Ages beautifully

Cons

Expensive
Soft compared to oak or maple

Best Cherry Projects

Heirloom furniture
Decorative trim
Cabinet doors

Walnut

Type: Hardwood
Features: Rich dark color, striking grain, very durable
Uses: Premium furniture, veneers, luxury woodworking

Walnut is considered a top-tier wood for custom furniture and upscale interiors.

Pros

Naturally dark, elegant appearance
Strong yet easy to work
Adds instant value to any project

Cons

Very expensive
Limited availability in large boards

Best Walnut Projects

Dining tables
Statement shelves
Premium cabinetry
Artistic wood pieces

5. How to Choose Wood Based on Your Project

Here’s a practical breakdown:

For Furniture

Choose hardwoods:

Oak
Maple
Cherry
Walnut

Budget-friendly options:

Pine (for painted pieces)
Poplar (for cabinets or trim)

For Outdoor Projects

Choose naturally rot-resistant woods:

Cedar
Redwood

For Beginner DIY Projects

Choose easy-to-work, inexpensive woods:

Pine
Poplar
Spruce

For Heavy-Duty or Structural Projects

Choose stronger woods:

Fir (construction)
Oak (furniture or beams)

6. Wood Grades: What They Mean & What To Buy

Lumber is graded based on quality. Common grades:

Softwood Grades

#1 – Few knots, high quality
#2 – Typical for home stores
#3 – Rough, knotty, for basic construction

Hardwood Grades

FAS (First and Seconds) – High quality
Select – Great for furniture
#1 Common – More knots
#2 Common – Rustic look

For furniture, choose Select or FAS.
For budget DIY, #2 Common pine can be fine.

7. How Lumber Is Sold

Nominal vs Actual Sizes

A “2×4” isn’t actually 2 inches by 4 inches.
It’s 1.5 in × 3.5 in.

Board Feet

Hardwoods are often sold by board foot:

Board foot formula:
Thickness × Width × Length / 144

8. Moisture Content: Kiln-Dried vs Green Wood

Kiln-Dried (KD)

Stable
Ready to use
Less warping

Green Wood

Still contains moisture
Cheaper
Will shrink and warp

For furniture, ALWAYS choose kiln-dried wood.

9. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying wet or warped boards
Choosing the wrong wood for outdoors
Not checking for knots or defects
Not understanding board sizes
Buying cheap wood for high-end projects

10. Pro Tips to Save Money When Buying Lumber

Look for offcuts or shorts bins
Buy S4S (surfaced wood) only when necessary
Use poplar instead of maple for painted cabinets
Buy in bulk for large projects

11. Best Places to Buy Wood

Big Box Stores

Home Depot
Lowe’s

Lumber Yards

Better selection
Higher quality hardwoods

Specialty Wood Suppliers

Exotic woods
Large slabs

Wood Buyer Helper

How to Buy Wood — Quick Tools & Decision Wizard

Interactive checklist, quiz, poll, and a wizard to help you choose the right wood for your project.

Key Takeaways

Choose hardwoods for tables and floors; softwoods for framing and painted projects. For outdoors use cedar or redwood. Always buy kiln-dried for furniture.

Pro Tips

Use poplar for painted furniture — cheaper than maple.
Check moisture content: 6–8% indoor; 12–15% exterior use.
Buy longer boards and trim down; short offcuts are cheaper.

Must Note Down

Board dimensions (nominal vs actual), wood grade, moisture content (KD/G), and intended finish (stain vs paint).

Must Do It

Inspect boards for warping & deep knots.
Ask for KD (kiln-dried) for furniture.
Sample stain on scrap before finishing.

Don’t Do It

Don’t use green wood for precise furniture. Don’t assume a 2×4 is 2×4 (it isn’t).

Quick Links

Use the quiz below, try the wizard, or vote in the poll to see trends.

Quick Quiz: Which wood fits you?

1. What is the project’s environment?

2. Finish preference?

3. Budget?

Poll: What wood do you prefer for living room furniture?

Votes stored locally in your browser

Guideline: Choose by Project Type

Pick a project to see recommended woods

Choose a project above to see suggestions.

Wizard: Help me choose the right wood (step-by-step)

Step 1 — Where will it be used?

Step 2 — Finish style

Step 3 — Durability needed

Step 4 — Budget

Result

Answer the steps to get a recommendation.

12. Conclusion

Buying wood doesn’t have to be confusing. Once you understand the differences between softwoods and hardwoods, the typical uses, and the strengths of each species, you’ll be able to choose confidently for any DIY or professional project.

The wood species shown in your image—pine, spruce, fir, cedar, redwood, poplar, oak, maple, cherry, and walnut—represent the most commonly used woods in woodworking. Mastering these materials will prepare you for everything from simple weekend builds to advanced furniture-making.