Suddenly, every stylish homeowner is switching to burl wood – here's how to shop and style this vintage revival trend in your own home

What goes around comes back around. It is time to allow burl wood back into the spotlight

modern eclectic living space with neutral walls, long open styled shelving above a long burl wood vintage low console table with a curved couch and low stone coffee table
(Image credit: Paris Forino / Photography: Garruppo)

As we all know, trends are cyclical. Things date and then come back around again in what feels like no time – yet there's one retro furniture piece I really didn't see making a revival in 2025. Oh but how wrong I was.

Burl wood, with its roots in the Art Deco design period and a spike in 1970s interior design style, has not been seen in furniture trends since its original 'cancellation' in the '80s. But we're officially declaring this year as its comeback era.

In fact, it is so popular right now that Jess Hubner, founder of Collection Seven, reports that sales of burl wood items have gone up by 420%. 'People are seeking more distinctive, handcrafted pieces and burl wood definitely fits that bill. It’s a material that’s enduring and feels like a keepsake which is what I think people fall in love with,' Jess explains. 'It also strikes this balance of feeling quite modern yet antiquated so I think it can quite easily stand the test of time and the different trends that come and go.'

neutral bedroom with a linen purple headboard, white linen bedding, a tapestry throw pillow and a vintage style burl wood nightstand

(Image credit: Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photography Julie Soefer)

As someone who loves thrifting and finding vintage, I'm rather excited about this one. With unique markings that rival marble, 'burl' wood is actually not a type of wood (as I originally thought) but is the name given to diseased growth. Yes really.

The unique, rare swirls and knots are a result of a mutation from infection or injury to the wood, and when you cut into it, it reveals this irregular, spotted pattern that burl is so famous for.

'Burl wood has always had this quiet, cool appeal that feels both timeless and contemporary,' Jess continues. 'It offers something unique with its intricate, one-of-a-kind grain that feels quite special and brings a sense of individuality and craftmanship into a space.'

'While burl wood certainly has vintage charm, it’s incredibly versatile and can be adapted beautifully to suit modern spaces,' she adds. 'Burl wood works wonderfully in spaces that feel curated and comfortable – whether it be an eye-catching piece in your living room, a statement bed, or an accent chair in your study – the result is a space that feels elegant but not overdone, rich, welcoming, and full of character.'

Shop burl wood pieces for your home

Of course, if you're to shop 'real' solid burl wood it can be quite an investment (and a mission to source). Here, I share my favorite pieces I've found to shop now from solid pieces to more affordable burl wood veneer.


Whether you're a fan of vintage trends or lean more contemporary, burl wood is a unique and statement-making material that can happily blend into retro or modern spaces. Will you be picking up a piece?

Charlotte Olby
Style & Trends Editor

Charlotte is the style and trends editor at Homes and Gardens and has been with the team since Christmas 2023. Following a 5 year career in Fashion, she has worked at many women's glossy magazines including Grazia, Stylist, and Hello!, and as Interiors Editor for British heritage department store Liberty. Her role at H&G fuses her love of style with her passion for interior design, and she is currently undergoing her second home renovation - you can follow her journey over on @olbyhome

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.