Guide to Sizes, Wood Tones & Materials for Home Accessories

Buying small furniture and wooden accessories should be simple…
but it rarely is.

You fall in love with a shelf, and suddenly you’re measuring your wall at 10pm with a phone charger because you can’t find the tape measure.
You find the perfect spice rack, and then freeze because you’re not sure if the wood will match your kitchen.
Or you want a hook rack — but don’t know how high it should hang or if metal hooks with a wooden base will look strange next to your existing décor.

I promise: it doesn’t need to be this complicated.

This guide breaks everything down in plain, everyday language — the exact things customers always ask before buying EWART WOODS products. If you’re planning to add a shelf, organizer, key holder or any wooden accessory to your home, start here.

1. Measure the Space — But Measure the Right Way

People often measure too much or too little.
Here’s what actually matters depending on the product:

Floating shelves or corner shelves

You need three measurements, not one:

1. Wall width
   So the shelf doesn’t look too long or too short for the space.

2. Depth allowance
   This is the most forgotten measurement.
   Ask yourself:
   “When this shelf sticks out from the wall, will anything be in the way?”
   Example: door frames, kitchen cabinets, hanging coats.

3. Height from floor OR height relative to other furniture
   You want the shelf to make sense visually.

   • In a hallway: eye level (around 150–165 cm)

   • Above a sofa: leave at least 25–35 cm above the backrest

   • In the kitchen: leave space for jars, spices, or plants

 

Key holders, hooks & magnetic organizers

These require functional height, not decorative height.

• Key holders: shoulder height, not eye level

• Hooks for bags: 110–130 cm

• Dog leash hooks: low enough for kids to reach (if needed)

• Magnetic key holders: close to the door so the habit sticks

A few centimeters make a big difference here.

 

Spice racks

The biggest mistake?
People forget to measure their jars.

Measure:

• jar diameter

• jar height

• available wall space

• the gap between shelves if you’re stacking multiple units

A rack is only useful when everything fits comfortably — not crammed.

Sofa arm trays

This one is simple:
measure the width of the sofa arm.

EWART WOODS trays fit most sizes, but knowing the exact width avoids that “is this too loose?” doubt. Also, when purchasing a tray with a fixed middle section, it is important to make sure that this middle part will fit your space. The middle section is not adjustable, so please check the measurements carefully before ordering.

2. Matching Wood Tones Without Stress

Most people think the woods in their homes need to match perfectly.
They don’t.

In fact, perfectly matched wood can make a home feel “flat.”
The trick is to mix tones with intention.

Here’s how to do it:

If your furniture is light (oak, birch, ash):

Choose wood that is slightly warmer or darker so it stands out softly.
Light on light often disappears visually.

EWART WOODS pieces in natural or “warm light” tones fit beautifully here.

If your furniture is medium or golden-toned:

This is the easiest category — everything matches.
You can safely mix:

• natural wood

• honey-toned finishes

• warm walnut

• beech

It gives the room richness instead of monotony.

If your decor is dark (walnut, espresso, deep oak):

Don’t fight it — contrast it.
A light shelf or organizer on a dark wall looks clean and intentional.

Dark-on-dark can look heavy unless the wall is light.

The secret rule: match the undertone, not the exact shade.

Look at the wood and ask:
Is it warm (yellow/golden)?
Is it cool (greyish)?
Is it neutral?

Match undertones → everything feels cohesive.

3. Mixing Wood With Metal Without It Looking Random

A lot of people worry about combining materials.
But wood + metal is one of the easiest pairings — especially in modern homes.

Here’s how to make it look purposeful:

If the room already has black metal accents:

Go for metal hooks or frames in black.
This ties the whole room together instantly (think Scandinavian style).

Examples:

• metal fruit bowls

• key holders with black metal hooks

• spice racks with dark screws

• toilet paper holders with black accents

Black + wood = timeless.

If your room has chrome or silver elements:

Go for minimal wooden accessories without additional metal details OR choose matte metal, which blends better.

Chrome + natural wood can look very fresh in kitchens.

If your home has gold or brass tones:

This pairs beautifully with warm wood.
Try:

• lighter woods

• honey tones

• engraved pieces for a luxury feel

Think: modern boutique hotel vibes.

Avoid one thing:

Using three different metal colors in one small space — this creates visual noise.

Pick one and repeat it.

4. Practical Things People Forget to Consider (But Should)

These small details make a big difference:

What wall materials do you have?

• Plaster? Easy.

• Concrete? You need stronger screws.

• Hollow walls? You need proper anchors.

EWART WOODS shelves hold weight well — but only if installed correctly.

What will sit below the shelf?

A hook too close to a light switch?
A shelf blocking a thermostat?
A key holder behind a door when it opens?

These things matter.

Will the item be used daily?

If yes → choose something with engraving or a warm wood tone.
Daily-use items look better when they feel personal, not generic.

Will it be visible from multiple angles?

If the answer is yes, choose a clean design.
If no, you can go more decorative.

5. When In Doubt: Start Small

If you’re unsure about tones or styles, start with pieces that don’t need a big commitment:

• magnetic key holders

• small spice racks

• mini shelves

• hooks

• desk organizers

These are “soft experiments” — they help you understand what works in your space before adding larger accessories.

Choosing wooden accessories doesn’t have to feel technical.
You’re not designing a museum — you’re choosing things that help your everyday life run more smoothly.

Measure a little.
Match undertones, not identical colors.
Mix wood with metal confidently.
And choose pieces that will actually be used.

That’s how you create a home that feels thoughtful, comfortable, and timeless — piece by piece.