Older homes in Portugal often keep beautiful original woodwork: panelled doors in a Lisbon apartment, wooden ceilings or shutters in a traditional Algarve house. When matching new woodwork such as doors or furniture, the challenge is to make it sit naturally next to what is already there.
Can bespoke furniture match my existing wood finishes?
In most cases, yes, closely. A perfect match is difficult because old wood has aged, but a good maker can get very near by working on three things: species, profile and finish.
1. The wood species
Start by identifying the existing wood. Matching the species, or choosing one with a similar grain, makes the biggest difference. If the original is painted, the species matters less and the paint colour becomes the reference.
2. The profiles and proportions
On doors, the width of the stiles, the panel layout and the mouldings give the period look. The maker should measure and copy these details, not only the overall size. A photo is useful, but a sample or a drawing taken on site is better.
3. The colour and finish
New wood is lighter and changes colour over time. The finish is adjusted with stains and varnishes or oils until a sample matches the existing wood in the room’s real light. Approve the sample on site, at different times of day if possible.
Matching new woodwork in an old Lisbon apartment
In older buildings, door openings are often not square. Each new door should be made to its own opening, so the gaps around it stay even.
Matching new woodwork in a traditional Algarve home
In houses exposed to sun and sea air, existing wood may have faded or weathered unevenly. The new piece is often matched to the best-preserved surface, and the finish chosen to resist the same conditions.
Matching new woodwork with Crossline
Crossline makes doors, panelling and furniture in its own factory in Portugal, with samples approved on site before production. We make doors for private clients too.
Send us photos of your existing woodwork.
Learn more about our carpentry, see finished projects in our portfolio or contact us.