Why Choosing Unfinished Wood Decor Can Save You Money

When people think about handcrafted wood decor, they often picture fully finished pieces

stained, sealed, and ready to display. But for many customers, choosing an unfinished option can be a smart, affordable alternative — especially if you enjoy DIY projects or want complete control over the final look.

At Rustic & Renewed Decor, many of our handmade pieces are available unfinished, yet still made to order. That means you still get the same handcrafted quality and the ability to choose your wood type, while saving money by finishing it yourself.

What Does “Unfinished” Wood Decor Mean?

Unfinished does not mean rough or incomplete. Every unfinished piece still goes through the same building and preparation process as our finished products.

That includes:

• Cutting and assembly

• Filling nail holes and areas around screws or dowels

• Sanding the entire piece smooth

• Progressive sanding up to a 240-grit finish
  

The result is a clean, smooth surface that is ready for your choice of stain, paint, or protective finish right out of the box. Most unfinished options do not include hardware, allowing you to fully customize the final look to match your home and style.

You Still Choose Your Wood

Even with unfinished products, you can still select from available wood options depending on the product design.

This may include:

• Pine

• Reclaimed wood pallet wood

• Reclaimed hardwood

• Maple

• Oak

• Other available wood species
  

Every wood type reacts differently to stain and paint, which gives you even more flexibility to create a piece that works perfectly in your space.

Why Customers Choose Unfinished

Many customers choose unfinished decor for several reasons:

Save Money

Finishing is one of the most time-consuming parts of woodworking. By completing the stain or paint yourself, you can reduce the final cost while still receiving a handcrafted made-to-order product.

Match Existing Decor

Some customers already have specific stain colours, paints, or finishes in their home and want an exact match that may not be possible from standard stain options.

DIY Creativity

Others simply enjoy adding their own personal touch and turning a handcrafted item into a customized project.

Flexibility for Designers and DIYers

Unfinished wood decor is also popular with interior designers, DIY enthusiasts, and customers completing room renovations who want complete control over the final appearance.

Made to Order — Even Unfinished

One thing that makes our unfinished products different from mass-produced unfinished wood decor is that they are still handcrafted and made to order. We are not pulling unfinished inventory from a warehouse shelf. Each piece is built specifically for your order from locally sourced wood from Southwestern Ontario, then prepared and sanded by hand.

That means you still receive:

• Handmade craftsmanship

• Quality wood materials

• Custom sizing/options where available

• Attention to detail throughout the build
  

Custom Unfinished Pieces Are Also Available

Looking for something completely unique?

We also offer unfinished options on many custom builds. If you have a specific size, idea, or design in mind, we can often create the piece unfinished so you can complete the final finishing yourself.

This can be a great option for:

• Renovation projects

• Built-in decor

• Matching existing cabinetry or furniture

• DIY gifts

• Custom organization solutions
  

Handmade Your Way

Whether fully finished or unfinished, every piece we create is designed to bring authentic wood character and handcrafted quality into your home.

For some customers, that final stain or paint step is part of the fun — and a great way to save money while still getting a piece built specifically for their space.

Explore our made-to-order and custom unfinished options at Rustic & Renewed Decor.