Types of Wood for Woodworking Projects (And How to Choose the Right One)

Learn about the different types of wood for woodworking or DIY projects, their uses, and how to choose the best wood for your DIY projects.

If there’s one thing that intimidates beginners more than using power tools, it’s walking into a store to buy lumber.

Let’s be honest, walking into the lumber aisle as a beginner feels like walking into a different world.

There are rows and rows of boards in all kinds of sizes and colors, and labels with words like ‘douglas fir’, ‘select pine’, ‘common board’, and ‘kiln dried’ that sound like a secret code.

I have been there. I’ve walked into the store, found a board I thought would work, then stood in the aisle Googling to make sure I wasn’t making a mistake.

Whether you’re building a simple shelf, tackling your first furniture project, or planning a DIY cabinet build, let’s talk about the most common types of wood and how to choose the right one for your project.

Softwood vs. Hardwood: What’s the Difference?

All lumber falls into two main categories: softwood and hardwood. Despite the names, this isn’t actually about how soft or hard the wood is. It’s about the type of tree it comes from. That said, hardwoods generally do hold up better to wear and tear.

What Is Softwood?

Softwood comes from coniferous trees like pine, spruce, and fir. It’s the most common type of wood used in woodworking projects, especially for beginners.

Softwood is:

• Easy to work with
• Lightweight
• Budget-friendly
• Versatile—it can be stained or painted
• Ideal for beginner builds

It’s commonly used in framing, trim, and basic furniture projects. If you’re just starting out, softwood is a great place to begin.

What Is Hardwood?

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees such as oak, walnut, maple, and mahogany. It’s generally more expensive but offers much greater durability.

Hardwood is:

• Strong and long-lasting
• Common in high-end furniture and cabinetry
• Known for beautiful natural grain and color
• A good choice when you want your project to stand the test of time

If you’re looking for the type of wood for furniture that will last for years or type of wood for cabinets that get daily use, hardwood is the way to go.

Common Types of Wood and Their Uses

Here’s a quick guide to the most popular types of wood for DIY and woodworking projects:

Species	Type	Features	Uses
Pine	Softwood	inexpensive and easy to work with, but it is not as strong as other types of wood.	furniture, construction
Spruce	Softwood	Similar to pine, but a little stronger	framing and construction
Fir	Softwood	strong and durable, more expensive than pine and spruce	framing and construction
Cedar	Softwood	known for its resistance to rot and insects	outdoor projects that need to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Redwood	Softwood	similar to cedar, but even more resistant to rot and insects. It is more expensive than cedar	outdoor projects that need to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Poplar	Hardwood	Versatile. Used in both painted and stained projects. Light-colored wood with a straight grain and a fine, even texture.	trim, molding, making furniture, cabinets, etc
Oak	Hardwood	known for its strength and durability. Has a strong grain pattern.	furniture and flooring, but it can also be used for construction.
Maple	Hardwood	Smooth and even grain	furniture
Cherry	Hardwood	beautiful grain and color	furniture
Walnut	Hardwood	rich dark color and beautiful grain pattern. strong and durable but expensive	furniture and veneers

Note: Availability may vary by region. For example, redwood is commonly found in California, while cedar is more popular in other areas.

Types of Wood at Home Improvement Stores

Let’s talk about what you’ll actually find when you go to buy wood.

Furring Strips

These are the cheapest wood boards you’ll find, and there’s a reason.

When I first started, I was amazed: 1×2 boards for under $0.80? I could build a little table for under $10! But I soon realized that it was nearly impossible to find good quality boards without warp or bow.

But they’re not meant to be seen. Furring strips are rough, uneven, and warped.

They are used for structural support behind walls or ceilings,not for building furniture. Skip these unless you’re using them for hidden construction.

Common Boards

Common boards, often labeled as whitewood, are usually made of pine, spruce, or fir. They’re a great option for budget-friendly builds.

They are :

• Affordable and lightweight
• Easy to cut and drill
• Great for rustic projects due to their knots
• Prone to dents and scratches
• Good for painting (but can be tricky to stain)

These are ¾” thick and come in widths ranging from 1½” to 11¼”. I use them all the time—projects like my DIY kids’ desk and lap desk feature these boards.

Select Pine

Think of Select Pine as an upgraded version of common boards:

• Little or no knots
• Smoother surface
• Usually straight. However, you always want to check the board before purchasing.
• 3 to 5X the cost of common boards; however, the amount of time saved in trying to prepare a common board for a project is vastly cut down, making it completely worthwhile.

They’re still pine, so they dent easily and stain splotchy, but if you prep them right, the finish can be beautiful.
Whenever I use 1×2 or 2×2 boards in my projects—like the upholstered bench with shoe storage or the bookshelf with a lattice back, I use Select Pine.

Pre-primed Pine

Pre-primed pine is just like it sounds: pine boards that are already primed and ready to paint.

They cost about the same as Select Pine, but they save you a step – no need to prime! I use these all the time for painted accent walls and trim projects like:

• The painted bookshelf build
• My bedroom board and batten wall
• Kitchen island slats and trim

Construction Lumber

This includes 2x and 4x boards such as 2×3, 2×4, 2×6, and so on, and is often labeled as spruce or fir.

The most important thing to look for when buying these boards is to make sure to look for the word “kiln dried” or “KD” in the description.

These are the boards that have been baked to make sure that they don’t have any excess moisture content and are ready to build with. Moisture content is extremely important in the long run for the longevity of your project. Do not use “green” or wet boards.

Construction lumber is perfect for building furniture, too. My DIY console table and cane chair were made using these boards!

Hardwoods

You can find hardwoods like poplar, red oak, maple, cherry, and walnut in various sizes at home improvement stores although I recommend going to a local lumber yard for more selection and better pricing. But you may not be there yet and that’s ok!

They’re sold by the linear foot, which means you’ll need to ask the store to cut them to your desired length and then pay for exactly what you take.

Many stores also carry pre-cut hardwood boards, starting at 1-foot lengths—perfect for smaller projects or detail work.

Seen here from left to right are maple, walnut, poplar, and red oak.

Which Type of Wood Should You Use for Your Project?

Choosing the right type of wood depends on a few key factors:

1. Strength & Support

If your project needs to hold weight—like a bench or bookshelf—go for stronger wood like oak, poplar, or fir. For decor or lightweight builds, pine or spruce is just fine.

2. Indoor or Outdoor Use

Building something for your patio or backyard? You need a type of wood for outdoor projects that resists weather and rot – cedar and redwood are great choices.

You can also use pressure treated pine for things that are going to be ground-contact like decks or raised garden beds but be careful when cutting because they are full of chemicals.

3. Finish (Paint or Stain?)

If you’re painting your piece, poplar, pine, or pre-primed pine are great choices. For staining, oak, maple will give you the best results without blotchiness. However, I highly recommend showcasing the color of the hardwood itself with a sealing oil instead.

Tip: Softwoods like pine can be stained, but use a wood conditioner first to avoid a blotchy finish. See how to stain pine.

4. Appearance

If the look of the wood is part of the final design, pay attention to grain and color. Walnut offers a rich, dark tone. Cherry adds warmth. Oak has a distinctive grain that shows beautifully under stain.

5. Budget

Softwoods are your best bet for budget-friendly projects. Save hardwoods for places where durability or appearance really matter. Like the type of wood for furniture that’s heavily used or the type of wood for cabinets that get opened daily.

What About Plywood?

Plywood isn’t technically a type of wood species, but it’s an important material in DIY building. It’s made by gluing thin layers of wood together and comes in large sheets.

• Comes in 1/4″, 1/2″, and 3/4″ thicknesses
• Available in sizes like 2×4, 4×4, and 4×8
• Great for shelving, cabinets, drawer bottoms, and wall panels

For structural projects like built-ins or cabinets, plywood is a great choice. You can even finish the edges with hardwood for a polished look.

Learn more: Read my guide to types of plywood and how to pick the best one for your project.

Choosing the right type of wood can completely change the outcome of your DIY project. Now that you understand the basics, you will be able to walk into the lumber aisle with confidence.

Further Reading