Our House finishes

Custom tones

We’ve carefully curated a palette of finishes for both wood and steel — blending classic and bold metal tones with timeless, complementary wood tints.

Looking for something different?

Other species of wood

Oak is our go-to across the range — we love its beautiful grain, natural stability, and the way it responds so well to tinted finishes. That said, we can craft most pieces in other hardwoods too, including Walnut, Ash, Iroko, Beech, and Sapele.

Wood finishes

All our wood is finished with a highly durable hard wax Oil. 

We offer 3 finishes as standard, we know these won’t be to everyones tastes and styles, so if you’d like a different finish, for instance a darker tone to match an existing piece of furniture, if you give us a reference or photo, we’ll do our best to offer a match. In this situation we’ll typically charge an additional £40 per order to cover the cost of sourcing the required finish for your order. 

Order our wood finishes sample pack

Metal finishes

All our metal work is powdercoated, which is the most durable finish that can be applied to steel.

We offer 4 colours; all in a ‘matt’ finish (it’s just what we think it looks best) However we can have items finished in any colour from the RAL colour chart (see link), in either ‘matt’, ‘satin’, or ‘gloss’. Due to costs of purchasing the coloured powder and other associated costs, we have a set charge of £90 for colours outside of our 4 house colours, irrespective of the size of order.

Order our steel finish sample pack

Samples

We understand it can be tricky to picture how finishes will look and work together in your own space. That’s why we recommend ordering a sample pack — so you can see and feel the materials before you decide.

Our wooden samples are 10cm x10cm, and come with cork feet, so they can be used as coasters once your finished deciding on the finish. We'll also refund the cost of the samples from any future order you go on to make.

Get in touch to discuss custom finishes

Material & Finish FAQ's

Didn’t find the answer? Let us know via the form below — we’ll get back to you.

What wood do you use & where does it come from?

We use Prime grade American Oak as standard for most of our range — sustainably sourced and kiln-dried, ideal for interior joinery and furniture making. Prime grade oak offers the highest quality, with minimal knots, splits, and a clean, straight grain. If you’d prefer a different timber, such as Walnut, Ash, Beech, or Iroko, just get in touch — we’ll be happy to provide a quote.

How will my furniture age?

We build every piece with longevity in mind, using the highest quality materials and finishes to ensure it lasts a lifetime. Over time, you may notice the wood gently settling into its new environment. This can sometimes result in minor shrinkage or movement, and in rare cases, small splits or cracks.

Our wax oil finishes are highly durable and designed to protect surfaces, even in high-use areas. Over the years, you may wish to refresh the finish by applying an extra coat or, if needed, sanding back and re-coating. If so, we’re always on hand to offer guidance.

All our steelwork is powder coated — the most resilient finish for metalwork (it’s used on everything from furniture to bridges). It will retain its colour and protection for many years with the right care. We recommend avoiding harsh cleaning products or solvents. Should the powder coating become chipped or damaged, it can be touched up with a colour-matched repair. Just get in touch, and we’ll be happy to advise on sourcing the right product and how best to apply it.

Why are alternative powdercoat colours more expensive?

Powder coating involves applying coloured powders and curing them at high temperatures to create a durable, high-quality finish. It’s the only process we don’t carry out in-house — instead, we work with a trusted local specialist.

We keep stock of our most popular finishes, but if you’d like a different colour or sheen (such as satin or gloss), the powder will need to be specially ordered. In addition to the cost of the powder itself, we’re charged a minimum colour set-up fee, which covers the cleaning and preparation required for each new colour — no matter the order size. This is why we have a £90 minimum charge for custom powder coat colours.

What finish do you use on the wood?

We finish our furniture with a high-quality hard wax oil made by Fiddes, a respected manufacturer based in Cardiff. Fiddes Hard Wax Oil is crafted from a blend of natural vegetable oils and waxes. Once dry, it’s safe for people, pets, and plants, and provides excellent protection against scratches, scuffs, and liquid spills.

We offer three tinted satin finishes as shown on our website, but Fiddes produces a wider range of colours that we’re happy to source on request. You can explore their full selection at fiddes.co.uk.

What are the metal frames made from?

All our metalwork is crafted from industrial-grade mild steel — a step above the thinner, lower-quality steel often found in mass-produced furniture components. Unlike many manufacturers, we produce all our steelwork in-house. This not only ensures superior quality but also gives us the flexibility to make adjustments and create pieces to your custom specifications.

Are our finishes vegan?

Yes, although the finishes we use do include wax, they are typically plant-based or derived from minerals rather than animal sources.

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Drop us a message!

Got a question about our materials or finishes?

You'll get a response within 24 hours

Monday - Friday (excluding bank hols)

Have a finish reference of photo of something you'd like to match?

Email it over to us at info@midtone.co.uk