Walk into almost any new restaurant in Los Angeles and you'll see it: reclaimed wood. Accent walls, bar tops, communal tables, ceiling beams, shelving — salvaged lumber has become the signature material of LA's dining scene.
The trend started around 2015 but has only accelerated. In the past two years alone, we've supplied reclaimed wood to over 40 restaurants and bars across the LA metro area, from casual coffee shops to upscale dining rooms.
Why the popularity? Restaurant designers cite three reasons. First, authenticity. In an era of mass-produced interiors, reclaimed wood provides genuine character that can't be faked. Diners can feel the difference between a table made from a 100-year-old barn beam and one made from new lumber with an "aged" stain.
Second, storytelling. LA restaurants increasingly want a narrative around their space. A bar built from redwood salvaged from a demolished Craftsman home in Pasadena, or ceiling beams from a retired Ventura County barn — these stories create emotional connections with customers.
Third, sustainability credentials. LA diners are environmentally conscious, and restaurants are responding. Using reclaimed materials throughout the space reinforces a commitment to sustainability that extends beyond the menu.
Our most requested items for restaurant projects are wide-plank tabletops (ideally 24 inches or wider from a single board), character beams for ceiling installation, and barn wood siding for accent walls. We maintain a dedicated restaurant-grade inventory for these applications.