Why Warm Timbers are Setting the Tone in Interiors

Look toward interior design trends for 2025 and you’ll see a clear, comforting and character-filled narrative emerge.

Moving away from the more clean and minimalist aesthetics that have dominated spaces in recent years, the uncertainty of the outside world has created a yearning for inviting and cozy personal retreats that nurture a sense of wellness, grounding and connection. Spaces that feel like coming home to a welcoming embrace.

At the heart of this transformation is the resurgence of warm tones, not just in paint and textiles, but in the very bones of interiors, particularly timber choices.

Come in From the Cold: The Return of Classic, Comforting Wood Hues

After a prolonged period favouring cooler, often grey-washed timbers, there's a noticeable shift towards the inherent lushness and inviting character of warmer varieties. In flooring, warm, rich hues anchor spaces with their timeless beauty, while in cabinetry they add depth, sophistication and a touch of nostalgia to kitchens and living spaces. At Forté, we’re seeing a resurgence of classic wood choices prized for their warm undertones – think walnut with its deep, chocolatey hues, or more honeyed or red-undertoned variations of familiar options like oak.

On-Trend by Nature: The Foundation for a Cohesive and Calming Aesthetic

Warm-toned timbers effortlessly complement the earthy colour palettes that we’re seeing everywhere right now (a trend spearheaded by Pantone’s colour of the year, the soft brown Mocha Mousse), enhancing the overall feeling of grounded warmth. They harmonise beautifully with softer neutrals like muted ochre, caramel and olive green, and provide a natural counterpoint to the richer reds and deep browns. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic – and in the face of ever-busy and stressful lifestyles – mental and physical wellbeing is now a top priority for many, and the materials we choose to bring into our homes increasingly reflect this. Being a natural product, timber aligns perfectly with the broader movement towards incorporating organic materials like textured stone, breathable linens and tactile wools.

Character Building: Add Interest by Layering Tones and Texture

While warm and richly-toned wood definitely gives a nod to the past (in particular the late Mid-century era), a nuanced and intentional layering of different tones and textures helps keep things from leaning too retro or forced. Mixing and matching wood types that share similar warm undertones creates a harmonious yet visually punchy space. Our tonally matched colour pairings Highland, Canyon and Forest pull together tones in flooring, panelling and veneer panels, offering a great foundation for achieving an effortless sense of warmth and texture in your own home.

Together with tone, the inherent character of timber also contributes to a layered and lived-in look and feel. Finishes that enhance, rather than conceal, the natural grain patterns and knots add depth, authenticity and tactile appeal to warm timber surfaces.

Explore the Range

Forté offers a range of warm and welcoming interior timber surfaces, from sun-kissed through to rich and dramatic.

Here are our top choices for creating a warm and inviting interior space.

Flooring

Haven Valencia

Warm mid-brown tones capture the rich, sun-drenched beauty of the Mediterranean. Inspired by the timeless charm of Valencia’s historic architecture and vibrant landscapes, this inviting hue brings depth and character to any space.

Haven New York

Natural tones with golden hues capture the warmth and energy of the iconic city. Reminiscent of sunlit hardwood floors in classic brownstones and modern lofts alike, its rich, inviting character blends urban edge with natural beauty.

Haven Munich

Deep brown tones and chestnut hues evoke the serene, timeless elegance of the Bavarian landscape. Inspired by the majestic forests and rustic beauty of Munich’s surrounding countryside, this rich, earthy shade infuses any room with warmth and sophistication.

Artiste Grande Vermeer

Sink into the time-worn elegance of Vermeer, a wide plank timber in a luxurious brown colour that invites you to slip off your shoes and experience its tactile qualities for yourself.

Villa Russet

Paired with its unique rough-sawn texture, Villa Russet’s rich brown tones bring unparalleled depth to interior spaces. Available in a rustic grade, Russet contains a variety of knots, cracks and natural feature which accentuates the unique beauty of these textured planks.

Moda Isola

A rich, chestnut-brown European Oak in a wider plank, Isola pairs knots and character with a lightly brushed texture. Earthy yet exotic, the warm mid-brown pays homage to the magnificent Italianate gardens on historic Isola Bella island.

Indus Tanami

An earthy, umber tone inspired by the low ridges, stony rises and rocky terrain of Australia’s Tanami Desert. The lighter striations running through the planks enhance the natural grain of the wood, giving it an undulating depth.

Veneer Panels

Alor Ochre

A captivating, warm mid-brown timber with rich ochre undertones that evoke the golden glow of a sunlit landscape. Its earthy, vibrant hue brings a sense of natural warmth and harmony to any space.

Alor Ember

This rich, walnut exudes a deep, earthy allure. Its dark, sumptuous tones evoke the warmth of a crackling fire and the refined elegance of aged hardwood, capturing the essence of cosy, intimate settings and luxurious comfort.

Panelling

Muuro Sabel

With its deep hues and unique luxurious grain pattern, this walnut finish adds depth and sophistication to walls and ceilings.

Muuro Noir

With its dark, sumptuous tones, Noir evokes the rich pigments of traditional Spanish frescoes. This prime-grade timber combines bold beauty with refined elegance, creating interiors that feel intimate, dramatic, and daring

Decking

A warm, cozy aesthetic needn’t be confined to the indoors. Create a haven-like entertainment area using Millboard decking, which can be tonally matched to the interior flooring to create a seamless flow between indoor and out

Millboard Golden Oak

Millboard's Golden Oak lengths give you the appealing look of newly-sawn natural oak timber, which unlike real timber will retain their fresh appearance over time. This golden hue is an enduring, versatile colour that will complement almost any application

Millboard Antique Oak

Millboard's Antique Oak lengths have the appearance of an attractively aged tropical hardwood deck such as Ipe or Teak. This rich warm colour is both timeless and versatile, sure to complement many applications.

Millboard Coppered Oak

Millboard's Coppered Oak lengths create a look reminiscent of high-quality hardwoods such as Ipe and teak. The beautiful, rich brown colour will complement almost any application.