22 Stunning Burl Furniture Pieces Decor Styling

I love the character that burl furniture brings to a room’s interior. Burl wood adds interest and depth, and it’s having its design moment in the interior world. And I’m all for it! There’s something mesmerizing about burl furniture — the swirling patterns of the wood grain, and no two pieces are ever alike.

The fact that burl pieces are always unique makes burl wood one of the most luxurious materials in interior design. If you’ve ever wondered what burl wood really is, why it’s so rare, and how to style it beautifully in your home, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

What Is Burl Wood?

Burl wood comes from a natural growth on a tree — often caused by stress, injury, or a fungus. When a tree forms a burl, the grain inside grows in unpredictable directions, creating intricate, swirling patterns that look almost like marble.

Burls can form on many types of trees, but some of the most popular for furniture include:

• Walnut burl – known for its dark, chocolate tones.
• Maple burl – prized for its light colour and tight, curly grain.
• Redwood burl – famous for large, dramatic slabs.
• Elm, oak, and poplar burls – each with unique colors and textures.

Because burls grow irregularly, they can’t be produced on demand, which is part of their allure.

Why Burl Wood Is So Valuable

Burl wood is a designer favorite for a few good reasons:

1. Rarity – Not every tree grows a burl, and many burls are small or flawed.
2. Uniqueness – Every single piece of burl has a one-of-a-kind pattern.
3. Craftsmanship – Working with burl requires skill. It’s unpredictable, delicate, and must often be stabilized before it can be turned into furniture.

Solid burl slabs can be quite expensive, while burl veneers — thin sheets of burl wood applied to a stable core — are more affordable and common in mid-century modern furniture.

Styling Burl Furniture & Best Picks

Because burl wood has such a visually rich grain, it works best when it’s allowed to stand out. Let it shine as a statement piece. A single burl table or dresser can anchor an entire room while keeping the surroundings simple. And remember to mix materials along with new and vintage pieces.

Here are some of my favourite finds for burl furniture…

Finlo Burled Table Lamp || Natural Burl Wood Storage Media Console || Elaina Geometric Coffee Table || Corey End Table || Fleur Tall Burl Wood Drink Table || Carbon Brown Burl Wood Media Console

Beaux Travertine & Burl Wood Nightstand || Finlo Burled Wood Bed || Bertone Nightstand || Pierce & Ward Burl Wood Vanity || Shura Burl Seven-Drawer Dresser

Ogden Burled Wood Console Table Brown || Hattie Burl Cabinet || Finlo Burled Cabinet || Holland Burl Drinks Table || Hudson 2-Drawer Burl Wood Console Table

Tamara Burl Open Shelving Unit || Burlwood Gallery Frames || Burlwood Jewelry Box || Burlwood Tray || Burlwood Watch Box || Geo Burled Wood Wall Mirror Round

Sourcing Vintage Burl Furniture

Because each piece is unique, sourcing burl furniture can be an adventure. Here are some starting points on where to look first.

• Vintage shops and estate sales — great for 1970s burl veneer pieces.
• Artisan woodworkers — for custom live-edge tables and handmade pieces.
• Online marketplaces like Etsy, 1stDibs, and Chairish — where vintage and custom designs are plentiful.

Always ask sellers whether the piece is solid burl or burl veneer so you know what you’re getting.

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