Beautiful wooden kitchen cabinets
15 wood kitchen cabinet ideas – the best new ways to use timber |
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(Image credit: Tom Fallon)
Wood kitchen cabinets are a popular choice for those that love a timeless or classic look – not to mention the fact wood gets better with age.
But if you think that a wooden kitchen will feel too traditional in a contemporary home, think again. We're seeing a return to wood kitchen cabinet ideas that showcase the beauty of wood in all its forms.
In recent years, there have been a number of new and interesting techniques which have reinvigorated the style and made this old staple a modern favorite. If kitchen cabinet ideas made from wood are high on your list, here are the key ways to put a fresh spin on the look.
Wood kitchen cabinet ideas
There's a spontaneity and creativity to the new look wood kitchens.
Dark and light woods are mixed together. Raw wood and full-grain timber are seeing a comeback. And we're finding designs that combine painted kitchen cabinet ideas with natural wood to create a new, relaxed mood in the heart of the home.
We spoke with kitchen designers to identify the key trends in wood kitchen cabinet design today. Which one will you choose for your next remodel?
1. Combine wood with color
(Image credit: Papilio)
‘Historically, timber was viewed as a necessity in the construction of a kitchen and consequently was often decorated with paint to hide it,’ explains Matt Prall, managing director, Papilio . ‘More recently the beauty of timber has been embraced.’
Combining exposed wood with color is a good way to ramp up the impact of a design, especially if bold and deep hues are used to contrast with the timber.
Here, the mellow beauty of cabinets in smooth lacquered quarter sawn oak are offset by doors in rich Rebecca’s Red from Francesca’s Paints and a specially mixed deep blue.
‘The timber brings an element of softness and nature which, when paired with the paint colours, brings intrigue and balance,’ says Matt.
2. Go for a wooden island
(Image credit: Figura)
The natural beauty and warmth of wood, combined with its strength and resilience, makes it ideal for all kinds of cabinetry. But if an all-wood kitchen seems too heavy, why not celebrate its special qualities with a central feature, such as an island?
‘Wood looks better as it ages and gains even more character,’ says Giles Slater, founder and designer, Figura . It makes the material ideal when considering kitchen island ideas.
Here, European oak has been used to create a focal point, designed as the welcoming hub of the room. The warm color and beautiful grain and structure of the timber stands out against the cool blue painted tall cupboards which form the backdrop of the kitchen.
3. Add interest with ribs and ridges
(Image credit: Sola Kitchens)
One way to introduce modern character to a kitchen is to play with texture.
Wood works well when layered with other natural materials, such as marble and granite kitchen countertop ideas, and can be used to provide gentle warmth when contrasted against polished steel and glass.
Slatted and ribbed textures can be used to further elevate the design, introducing three-dimensional features that catch the eye and make the room unique.
In this painted kitchen, slatted timber has been used to conceal the extractor hood above the hob. ‘
The Skog wood panelling successfully adds a sense of depth and texture to the design,’ says Sofia Bune Strandh, CEO, Sola Kitchens . ‘Skog’ is Swedish for ‘forest’, and the vertical slats are designed to resemble tall trees.
4. Go for a modern rustic look with raw grain
(Image credit: Roundhouse)
Timber is available in many varieties (with oak and walnut widely particularly favoured for kitchens) and in different cuts, some with consistent vertical grain, others with richly patterned results.
The choice of finish, from lacquers and stains to oils and waxes, can also be used to enhance color and grain, as well as protect timber.
In this Metro Urbo kitchen in matt lacquer green sections of rough sawn oak add a rustic, homely quality. It's a lovely approach to green kitchen ideas.
‘By using wood in a kitchen with contemporary cabinetry and tiled flooring, you can avoid the space feeling clinical,’ explains Oli Moss, senior designer, Roundhouse.
5. Opt for a timeless timber
(Image credit: deVOL)
Recyclable and renewable, timber from sustainably managed forests makes it a more environmentally friendly choice than many other materials – another reason that its natural beauty is being celebrated in today’s sustainable kitchens.
‘deVOL has always been careful to use sustainably sourced wood for all our furniture,’ says Helen Parker, creative director for the company. This, along with careful craftsmanship, ensures that timber kitchens should last.
‘They are very appealing to people looking for something that will stand the test of time, both practically and in timeless design,’ she adds.
Let it shine in designs that showcase its individual grain and honey-colored tones, like this unique kitchen inspired by mid-century haberdashery counters, handmade in oak. A bespoke aged copper counter introduces another layer of warmth, while cool Estremoz marble worktops and painted walls, floor and ceiling provide light contrast and bring a fresh feel to this country kitchen.
6. Go for the perfect blend
(Image credit: Studio Jake Arnold)
This highly layered kitchen was created by US-based designer Studio Jake Arnold . ‘We wanted to preserve the charm of this Los Angeles home, and this kitchen emits an amazing combination of old world and modern elements,’ says Jake. ‘The tones of the wood cabinetry and the skinny floorboards are the perfect contrast to the exposed beams, while the ogee edge of the stone countertop adds fine detail.
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7. Choose a dark wood for drama
(Image credit: Espresso Design)
The traditional hues and craftsmanship of antique furniture have been deftly brought up to date with the introduction of contemporary lines and detailing.
Here, Cesar’s Intarsio range takes its inspiration from traditional marquetry to create doors with distinctive cross direction veneers that are paired with dark marble and other luxury materials to create a unique kitchen.
8. Add a fluted finish for texture and depth
(Image credit: Sola Kitchens)
Three-dimensional surfaces that shift with the light bring a modern twist to wood in the kitchen. ‘Combined with sleek flat-fronted doors in crisp white, thin vertical wood slats provide texture and depth, enhancing the tension between plain and pattern,’ explains Sofia Bune Strandh, CEO, Sola Kitchens .
SKOG, meaning 'forest' in Swedish, is the name given to this striking new wood-focused design from Sola Kitchens.
‘It’s called SKOG partly because the wooden slats resemble the outlines of trees, but also the name reflects the embracement of natural materials – a typical quality of Scandinavian design,’ she adds.
(Image credit: CRL Quartz.)
Beautifully grained timber is the highlight of this chic well-crafted kitchen, bringing character to the open-plan space. ‘The industrial look is key here,’ says Simon Boocock, managing director of CRL Quartz . ‘The Ceralsio Slate Grey ceramic surface, with its textured finish, is hardwearing and easy to care for.'
10. Take a modern approach with sleek surfaces
(Image credit: deVOL)
Taking timber in a contemporary direction requires a considered approach to avoid missing out on wood’s natural beauty. TR Studio chose deVOL ’s Sebastian Cox range, featuring cabinetry in black stained beech.
‘We really like to use wood in a very calm way in kitchens. You can maintain clean lines and use sleek surfaces, but wood itself brings craft and texture, both visual and tactile,’ says Tom Rutt, founder, TR Studio.
‘We love how this kitchen strikes the balance between traditional and contemporary. It is clearly a real solid timber door, but the colour makes it abstracted and adds a modernity.’
11. Turn to reclaimed for a more unique and sustainable look
(Image credit: Tom Fallon)
Reclaimed wood has clear environmental benefits, not to mention unique historic appeal. Often associated with very rustic, timeworn kitchen styles and designs, this version by salvage specialists Retrouvius demonstrates a more sophisticated approach. Made from old timber shelving, the geometric door fronts are beautifully executed for maximum impact.
‘Our salvaged tropical hardwoods were used in the areas where the main cooking action takes place,’ says Maria Speake, founder, Retrouvius. ‘Brilliant for backsplashes and countertops, the wood is innately water resistant, hardwearing and the odd splash of oil from cooking all adds to the timbers own natural oiliness and is absorbed to help protect the wood.
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12. Mimic freestanding furniture
(Image credit: Elizabeth Sherwin)
Keeping timber use below eye level is more peripheral so won’t overpower. It can also appear less ‘kitcheny’.
‘Using oak kitchen cabinet worktops and wrapping the drawer units in the same oak creates a modular look, more akin to a living room sideboard,’ explains Jayne Everett, co-founder, Naked Kitchens . ‘We wanted each wood section to mimic a piece of freestanding furniture – far removed from a standard fitted kitchen.’
White American Oak was chosen for its robust, tightly knitted grain and soft washed tones. The timber was finished in a specialist Nano coating to provide resilience without altering the wood’s natural look.
13. Pick flat-front cabinetry for mid-century appeal
(Image credit: Caesarstone)
If your aim in designing your kitchen is to create a space that feels less like a cook station and more like a living space – where you happen to create meals – a pared-back approach to design might appeal.
Flat-fronted wooden kitchen cabinetry is easy to live with, enduringly timeless – and can come with a ton of character if you choose a timber or finish with a noticeable grain or texture. Handleless cabinetry will work best with flush door designs – and can even set the scene for a subtle, mid-century feel.
14. Combine wood kitchen cabinetry with antique wood furniture
(Image credit: Bert & May)
If you want to create an eclectic look that focusses on wood kitchen cabinet ideas, one way to do so is to combine new cabinetry with antique furniture. This eclectic kitchen by Bert & May has freestanding wooden units with a hand-crafted quality, combined with a mahogany cabinet with a glass front that creates a further unique dimension in this kitchen.
15. Focus on the kitchen island
(Image credit: Harvey Jones)
The kitchen island is inevitably the center of a kitchen's layout – and you can draw further attention to it by contrasting its color or material with the rest of the units in the room.
Melissa Klink, creative director at Harvey Jones explains why wood is a wonderful choice for the kitchen island:
‘Using reclaimed wood adds an interesting story to the kitchen space. Any material that has an organic influence helps to ground the room and provide an instant sense of calm, and reclaimed wood is warm and full of rich detail. The look is beautifully unique and something you cannot recreate using new material.’
Are wood kitchen cabinets out of style?
Wood kitchen cabinets are enduringly stylish, and designs using sustainably produced or reclaimed woods are more popular than ever. What has changed is the design of wood kitchen cabinetry: fluting, unusual, textured finishes and inlay are at the forefront of kitchen trends right now.
What goes with wood kitchen cabinets?
Wood cabinets are wonderful with a wide array of complementing materials and colors. You can use both dark and light woods with pale marble countertops for a contemporary appeal, and combine wood cabinetry with other woods to create a richly textured space.
Our advice: don't choose colors or materials that compete with the tones and texture of the wood – let them be the star of the show.
What is the most popular wood for kitchen cabinets?
The most popular wood for kitchen cabinets include: oak; cherry; hickory; pine and maple. The best choice for your kitchen might, however, be a locally sourced wood, which will really complement your home and the other materials within your kitchen.
Kitchens in mixed woods are also a popular trend for the year ahead – both within the cabinetry, and cabinetry/countertop combinations.
How do I care for a wood kitchen?
Always follow your supplier’s specific maintenance and cleaning instructions for your kitchen furniture.
Wooden kitchen doors are often finished with a lacquer to protect against staining and scuffing, so typically there won’t be much upkeep – a simple wipe down with a clean and soft damp cloth should suffice.
Be sure to wipe up spills when they happen as delay may cause the acidic ingredients of food to react with the lacquer and ultimately strip the doors of their protective finish.
Do not allow water to remain in prolonged contact with wood, as this may cause staining and warping.
Some cupboard doors may require re-polishing with a clear, natural spray wax to keep them looking their best: follow manufacturer’s guidelines.
Linda graduated from university with a First in Journalism, Film and Broadcasting. Her career began on a trade title for the kitchen and bathroom industry, and she has worked for Homes & Gardens, and sister-brands Livingetc, Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, since 2006, covering interiors topics, though kitchens and bathrooms are her specialism.
House & Home - See How Warm Wood Wows In These 75+ Kitchens & Bathrooms
Bathrooms
August 30, 2022
Today’s wood cabinets are modern, sleek and sophisticated — and a sure-fire way to create a warm, inviting look in your home’s most hardworking spaces. Click through for beautiful kitchens and bathrooms with wood cabinets that will inspire you to use touches of oak, walnut and teak in your next makeover.
Scroll down and get inspired!
This expansive oak vanity acts like furniture in this principal bathroom. Shaker-style drawers with matte black knobs offer ample storage and add warmth to the all white space.
Photographer: Tina Kulic
Designer: Shift Interiors
In this open-concept kitchen, white oak cabinets create distinct areas for the pantries on either side of the kitchen island. “It’s like a china cabinet in a kitchen,” says designer Jamie Deck.
Photographer: Tina Kulic
Designer: Shift Interiors
Designer Monica Fried replaced this principal bathroom’s white cabinets with oak vanities and mirrors framed in Arabescato marble.
Photographer: Nicole Frazen
Source: House & Home June 2022
Designer: Monica Fried
In this two-tone Whistler kitchen, dark wood cabinets bring a sleek and sophisticated edge and create a nice contrast against the white oak floors.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Designer: Denise Ashmore
Flat-cut white oak cabinet doors create a Scandi-inspired look in the bathroom of the same home. “Every time I come through that door, it’s so zen to me,” says the homeowner.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Designer: Denise Ashmore
If you’re not ready to go all-in on a wood kitchen, consider using the warm material on your island alone. It will also bring dimension and contrast to an all-white kitchen. “I love the reeded detail on the island, which turns a rustic material into a refined feature,” says designer Orsi Panos.
Photographer: Patrick Biller
Source: House & Home March 2022
Designer: Orsi Panos
A warm wood floating vanity grounds this compact powder room featuring whimsical cartoon-like wallpaper.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Designer: Katelyn Hermant and Sarah Siwik
Wood and cane cabinets are a great way to bring texture and beachy boho style to your space. “The caning on the cabinets is made in Mexico — which ties in nicely to my clients’ Mexican-American heritage,” says designer Mariana Postlethwaite.
Photographer: Adrian Tiemens
Source: House & Home July/August 2022
Designer: Mariana Postlethwaite
If you’re looking for the wood look without the price tag, consider opting for laminate cabinets, which can be seen in this principal bathroom.
Photographer: Lauren Miller
Source: House & Home April 2022
Designer: Andi Wheelband (Two Birds Design) Architecture: Perspective Views
In designer Jennifer Overweel’s kitchen, warm wood kitchen cabinets blend seamlessly into the open-concept kitchen.
A mix of cabinet hardware and matte black accents break up the wood and add dimension to the space.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home May 2022
Designer: Jennifer Overweel
White oak vanities are a warm contrast to this ensuite bathroom’s soapstone counters, while cedar ceiling slats complement the look.
Photographer: Ariana Tennyson
Source: House & Home January/February 2022
Designer: Jaclyn Peters
To draw attention to a beautiful new window and the lush garden beyond it, designer Jonathan Legate created a rich, walnut-clad focal point within a run of white recessed-panel cabinets. The walnut slab doors also inject a bit of modernity within the traditional setting. “I really wanted the window and the warmth of the walnut to be the only things you focused on,” he says.
Photographer: Janet Kimber
Source: House & Home: March 2021
Designer: Jonathan Legate
A peninsula finished in white oak helps define an open kitchen and supplies additional storage and seating. White oak was also used for the custom built-ins incorporated elsewhere in the home (not pictured), creating visual cohesion and a place for displaying cherished collections.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home September 2021
Designer: Olivia Botrie, Dart Studio
Clay tile in a sea of blues and aqua green creates a colorful counterpoint to rustic wood cabinets with visible graining. The zellige tile backsplash introduces subtle texture but recedes into the all-white backdrop.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home July/August 2021
Designer: Ami McKay, Pure Design Inc.
This bathroom vanity is made of reclaimed floor joists and lends a monumental, well-worn quality to a newly renovated bathroom.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home July/August 2021
Designer: Ami McKay, Pure Design Inc.
For this stylish condo kitchen, designer Svetlana Tryaskina selected white oak laminate cabinets which are durable and less expensive than a natural wood veneer, she says. A mix of practical and bespoke finishes balance out the wood, notably a run of (trending!) custom brass upper cabinets and two types of gray-toned stone: hard-wearing gray quartz for the work surfaces and Statuarietto marble for the backsplash and island.
Photographer: Mike Chajecki
Source: House & Home: June 2021
Designer: Svetlana Tryaskina
A refined, Scandinavian-inspired kitchen by Sophie Burke mixes pale wood cabinets with cool metals and grounding hits of matte black.
Photographer: Ema Peter
Source: House & Home December 2020
Designer: Sophie Burke; Architecture by Robert Blaney
The sleek slab-front doors and wood counters of this kitchenette are softened by a charming white cabinet skirt that conceals open storage.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home: May 2021
Pale wood lower cabinets with simple pull-tab hardware nod to this bungalow’s mid-century architecture and add warmth to the crisp white backsplash tile and counter stone.
Photographer: Patrick Biller
Source: House & Home September 2021
Designer: Brian McCourt
A no-fail formula for a small bathroom: a floating wood vanity, an oversized arched mirror that almost reaches the ceiling, pristine white walls and a dash of colorful accessories, here in the form of deep navy bath towels.
Photographer: James Jones
Source: House & Home September 2021
Designer: Christi Rivard & Kyla Bidgood, Bidgood + Co.
In this character-filled kitchen, the cabinets are made out of rift-cut oak slab doors stained a rich, medium tone reminiscent of teak and paired with subtle brass pull-tab hardware.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home Kitchens + Baths 2021
Designer: Melanie Finkleman, Hazel + Brown Design
Designer Jean Stéphane Beauchamp went big and bold with pattern in this compact Montreal kitchen, pairing white oak chevron cabinet fronts with a wall of polished deep green tile arranged in a herringbone layout. Hits of bright robin’s egg blue in the rangehood and open shelving add yet another unexpected element and help settle the eye.
Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home September 2021
Designer: Jean Stéphane Beauchamp
Talk about making a statement! Designer Trish Johnston gave a century kitchen serious wow-factor with a heavily veined marble island and rustic wood uppers from Canadian company Kitch.
Photographer: Jason Stickley
Source: H&H Video
Designer: Trish Johnston
Natural texture and Scandinavian simplicity commingle in this serene principal bathroom. A deep wood double vanity grounds the room and injects plenty of warmth and drama.
Photographer: Haris Kenjar
Source: House & Home March 2020
Designer: Heidi Caillier
In this San Francisco kitchen, natural wood cabinets pop against the crisp walls, dressed in Benjamin Moore’s Simply White.
Adding artwork on top of the uppers proves decorative accessories belong in the kitchen, too.
Photographer: Luis Peña
Designer: Kristen Peña, K Interiors; Architecture by CCS Architecture & Interiors
“Most of my inspiration for the bathroom came from Pinterest,” says homeowner Elena Lohse. “The old world feel of the tile and the brass fixtures really caught my eye.” Paired with the natural wood vanity, this bathroom is a dream!
Photographer: Courtesy of This House 5000
A hammered bronze sink gives this charming repurposed vanity major style points. The raw wood feels right at home in this cozy and colorful barn.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home July/August 2020
Designer: Emily Griffin
Two-tone flat-panel uppers draw the eye to the impactful photograph the homeowner brought back from her trip to Morocco.
Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home October 2020
Designer: Jane Charron
In this 1,300-square-foot home, a compact bathroom packs a punch with bold tile underfoot, gilded accessories (the towel hooks are a chic touch) and a natural wood vanity. Warm wood tones pair perfectly with small spaces!
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home September 2020
Designer: Orsi Panos
“My clients requested dark cabinets, but they were also drawn to rustic elements, so I interspersed the dark paint finish with light wood for contrast and visual relief,” says designer MaryLynne Meschino of this narrow galley kitchen.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home April 2020
Designer: MaryLynne Meschino, Allegro Interiors
When you’ve got a view this breathtaking, it’s important to keep the rest of the design sleek and simple.
A mix of marble and light wood on the double vanity pays homage to the exposed rock surrounding the property.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home July/August 2020
Designer: Lorraine Franklin; Architecture by Nelson Kwong & Neal Prabhu at nkArchitect
Natural wood doesn’t always have to be dark: a white oak vanity stuns in this historical bathroom. “I wanted a soft and serene look that would age beautifully,” says Mélanie Cherrier.
Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home June 2020
Designer: Mélanie Cherrier, Blanc Marine Living
Designer Luke Havekes opted for warm wood in his 1980s Montreal condo kitchen. The richly veined marble backsplash perfectly contrasts with the stunning wood cabinetry, made by Quebec artisans.
See more of this handsome pied-à-terre on H&H Video.
Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home March 2020
Designer: Luke Havekes
A mixture of woods adds dimension to this rustic, Georgian-style farmhouse kitchen. The homeowners chose freestanding cabinets, a side counter and spacious island – all custom-made – because of the original stone walls.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home October 2019
Designer: John Baker and Juli Daoust-Baker with Christine Ho Ping Kong and Peter Tan of Studio Junction
A repurposed mid-century modern credenza plays up the spa-like feel of this principal bathroom as a stand-out vanity.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home March 2020
Designer: Arren Williams
This welcoming farmhouse kitchen is defined by white oak cabinets and an incredible reclaimed wood table made from old cedar telephone poles.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home November 2019
Designer: Angela Wheeler
Wood details were the perfect kid-friendly choice for this earthy, Scandinavian-style kitchen. The warm wood keeps the space looking clean and uncluttered without being sterile.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home August 2019
Designer: Laura Goard, Square Footage
The white oak vanity plays off the gold hardware in this luxe principal bathroom without stealing the spotlight from the true star of the show: the teal chevron tiles.
Photographer: Johnny C. Y. Lam
Source: House & Home December 2019
Vintage wood doors with medieval metal detailing add an elegant touch to an otherwise modern kitchen.
Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home January 2020
Designer: Ashley Shaanan
In this trad bathroom, a natural wood vanity radiates warmth and texture, while a circular mirror and sophisticated sconces dress up the look.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home November 2019
Designer: Angela Wheeler
Designers Kyla Bidwood and Kris Hageland tried 12 different stains before landing on this rustic look that works with the century home’s original red oak floors.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home March 2019
Designer: Kyla Bidgood & Kris Hageland, Bidgood + Co
An orange-toned wood vanity adds visual interest to this minimal bathroom, adorned with gilt detailing and a sleek walk-in shower.
Photographer: Ashley Capp
Source: House & Home Kitchens + Baths 2019
Designer: Lindsay Konior & Sarah Keenlyside, Qanūk Interiors
The rich walnut cabinets create a striking contrast with the marble countertops and bright white walls, while the exposed brick backsplash ties in the warmth of the wood.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Sam Sacks
To ground this airy bathroom, a lightly smoked white oak cabinet is the accent of choice. Dark hardware elevates the slightly worn wood, which blends beautifully with the curved mirrors and door (not shown).
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home June 2017
Designer: Sam Sacks
Walnut planks in different shades add dimension and character to this open-concept kitchen.
Plus, the natural wood cabinets provide the perfect backdrop for quirky birdcage pendants by Mathieu Challières.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home April 2017
Designer: Stephanie Pellatt, Pivot Design Group; Leanne Tammaro & Adolphina Karachok, Designtheory
This antique walnut vanity adds a dose of luxury to a 100-square-foot powder room. The Carrara marble countertop, opulent mirror and hand-painted mural compliment the wood cabinet and give the space a collected feel.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home September 2016
Designer: Colette van den Thillart
The floating vanity — stained a rich, warm tone — compliments the white, caramel and grey patterned tile perfectly.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home April 2018
Designer: Colette Soros
Sliding maple panels make this kitchen both fun and functional.
The sunshine yellow pantry door pops against the pale wood millwork of the cabinetry.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home March 2015
Designer: Marianne Amodio
For maximum impact in the bathroom, frame the mirrors with the same shade of wood as the cabinets. In this sleek space designed by Collective Studio, the white vanity, light-reflecting floors and frosted sconces create contrast.
Photographer: Kiely Ramos
Source: Collective Studio
Designer: Alana Firestone & Jordy Fagan, Collective Studio
The custom-made oak cabinets give this Muskoka cottage kitchen rustic charm when paired with the Caesarstone counters, matte charcoal hood and patterned rug.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home September 2016
Designer: Peaks & Rafters
In this moody bathroom, the sliding walnut cabinetry and dramatic matte black hexagonal tile are daring design choices with big payoffs.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home March 2017
Designer: Shirley Meisels
Design duo Susan and David Scott created this minimalist kitchen around the slightly worn light wood cabinet. It gives the space an effortless Scandinavian style along with the marble countertops, wooden utensils and crisp white walls.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home Novemeber 2016
Designer: Susan & David Scott, Scott & Scott Architects
Teak wood cabinets and vanities keep this dressing-room-meets-bathroom practical and polished. The leather handles and brass hardware add just the right amount of luxury to make this space a serene oasis.
Photographer: Tracey Ayton
Source: House & Home August 2015
Designer: Jamie Hamilton & Greer Nelson, Oliver Simon Design
A blue palette in the kitchen brings out the cool tones in the light wood cabinets, which are quiet enough to let the patterned Roman blinds, modern light fixtures and inky uppers truly shine.
Source: Blakes London
Designer: Blakes London
In this opulent powder room, a deep wooden vanity with scattered brass knobs holds its own.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home March 2017
Designer: Ana Lopes & Don Tapscott
A Wolf stove may be the center of attention in this cozy kitchen, but the medium-toned wood cabinetry truly steals the show with its timeless, yet on-trend quality.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home February 2015
Designer: Kim Lambert
A vintage dresser gets a stunning budget-friendly makeover with a medium-stained wood finish, brushed bronze hardware and a concrete countertop.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home June 2017
Designer: Sam Sacks
For a walk on the daring side, opt for dark chocolate-colored cabinetry to add dimension, like in this kitchen with all-white walls, pendants and a concrete island.
Photographer: Felix Forest
Source: House & Home September 2016
Designer: Jonathan Richards, SJB Interiors
A set of walnut vanities looks particularly elegant when placed on either side of a stand-alone tub.
Photographer: Gary Campbell
Source: House & Home October 2017
Designer: James McIntyre, McIntyre Bills
Quartersawn oak cabinetry not only warms up the airy kitchen, but it also provides the perfect backdrop for plush evergreen velvet bar stools.
Photographer: Adrien Williams
Source: House & Home December 2017
Designer: Alexandre Blazys & Benoit Gérard, BlazysGérard
The upcycled wood vanity is a family heirloom of homeowner and designer Judith Gougeon, which makes its patina look even more special.
Photographer: Maxime Desbiens and Angus McRitchie
Source: House & Home June 2018
Designer: Judith Gougeon
In this modern home, natural walnut cabinets and high-gloss Italian lacquer uppers enhance the space’s industrial European aesthetic.
Photographer: Courtesy of Muti
Source: Muti
Designer: Muti
This floating walnut-veneer vanity finds the perfect balance of classic and modern, especially with the trendy wall-mounted fixtures and vessel sinks.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home June 2017
Designer: Kristen Marshall & Danielle Pollock, Palmerston Design Consultants
In designer J Gibson’s cozy log cabin kitchen, handsome pine cabinets — made by a local Muskoka cabinetmaker — came with the home. The vintage feel of the millwork is synonymous with cozy cottage living.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home February 2017
Designer: J Gibson
A custom-made wood vanity in this principal ensuite has an antique look. An arched mirror perched on top and a Jean Prouvé wall light hanging above contrast with their modernity.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home May 2016
Designer: Brock James, LGA Architectural Partners
Storage is key in this 756-square-foot apartment’s galley kitchen, and these honey wood lower cabinets do the trick.
Photographer: Tracey Ayton
Source: House & Home September 2017
This principal ensuite exudes California cool with the lightly worn wood cabinets and woven pendants made out of sustainable maple wood.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home May 2018
Designer: Montana Burnett
In this eclectic Montreal apartment, warm wood kitchen cabinets tie in the heirloom wooden table and light hardwood floors.
Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home August 2018
Designer: Valérie Morisset
The spacious marble-topped walnut vanity juxtaposes with the blue-grey tiled floors and is the perfect storage for all of your linens and beauty essentials.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home June 2016
Designer: Sam Sacks
The vintage wooden lower cabinets with built-in finger pulls add dimension to this minimalist, airy kitchen.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home May 2018
Designer: Nancy Riesco
A lengthy wooden vanity with built-in shelves brings out the warm tones in the vintage Turkish kilim runner.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home March 2018
Designer: Lisa Lev
The walnut cabinets with flush drawer pulls strike the perfect balance between elegant and edgy.
Photographer: Gary Campbell
Source: House & Home March 2018
Designer: James McIntyre & Ronald Bills, McIntyre Bills
Smooth walnut cabinetry adds a pleasing tension next to geometric sliding doors in this modern bathroom.
Photographer: Courtesy of Heather Hilliard
Source: House & Home September 2016
Designer: Heather Hilliard & Fleur Keyes, Heather Hilliard Design
The rich oak veneer cabinets and Schumacher’s Queen of Spain wallpaper are a match made in heaven.
Photographer: Valerie Wilcox
Source: House & Home October 2016
Designer: Joel Bray
This handsome renovated bathroom has contemporary edge with the dark-stained floating cabinets and black herringbone backsplash. The gold hardware adds a touch of luxury.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home June 2017
Designer: Virginie Martocq
A wood vanity brings warmth to the mosaic tile walls by Bisazza, dark marble countertops and modern globe pendant light.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home April 2016
Designer: Shirley Meisels
The sleek wooden cabinets in this family kitchen not only make the space feel fresh, they also double as spacious storage.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Sarah Harthill
For a rustic feel inside the bathroom, worn cabinetry with door-knocker handles is the answer, especially when paired with tongue-and-groove walls and dark brass taps.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home December 2016
Designer: Lindsay Mens Craig, Sarah Richardson Design
The teak wood cabinetry in Cathy Angelopoulos’ (pictured) nautical boathouse kitchen pairs perfectly with the pale walls and bamboo floors.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home July 2016
Designer: Andrew Ward, Andrew Ward Design
For a mid-century modern look, a custom-made walnut vanity is topped with dramatic Nero Marquina marble to elevate the look from simple to statement-making.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home June 2018
Designer: Lisa Worth, Worth Interior Design
The sleek wood vanity keeps this small bathroom — adorned with graphic floor tiles and a striped blind — from feeling too busy.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home August 2018
Designer: Janine Morrison
The mid-toned wood cabinetry, patterned backsplash and rug make this Montreal kitchen feel like it belongs in the French countryside.
Photographer: Ashley Capp
Source: House & Home August 2018
In this luxurious ensuite bathroom, a vintage side chair, waterproof drapes and brushed gold taps make the natural wood cabinets feel a little more dressed up.
Photographer: Colin Way
Source: House & Home October 2016
Designer: James McIntyre
For a twist on classic cabinetry, slim-edged wood cabinets add a retro vibe, while a clean-cut white inset keeps the look in the 21st century.
Photographer: Lisa Romerein
Source: House & Home March 2016
Designer: Nilus de Matran
In Olympian Adam van Koeverden’s bathroom, a Mozambique wood vanity is the star of the show.
The grain follows along the front of the drawers for a one-of-a-kind look.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home April 2018
The light wooden cabinetry commands attention with negative wall space that lets the kitchen breathe, while pulling out the colors in the faux Statuario marble backsplash.
Photographer: Colin Way
Source: House & Home July 2017
Designer: Aly Velji
This rich wooden vanity looks like it’s floating in thin air thanks to the floor-to-ceiling mirror, which gives the powder room unexpected elegance.
Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Source: House & Home August 2018
Designer: Allison Willson
The secret to maximizing storage in the kitchen? A generous walnut pantry.
The ribbed detail adds dimension to the sleek space, plus it keeps kitchen gadgets tucked away.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home June 2018
Designer: Shirley Meisels
Every cottage principal bathroom deserves wall-to-wall floating cabinetry in a warm grain wood, heated stone floors and doors that lead to a private patio.
Photographer: Donna Griffith
Source: House & Home September 2016
Designer: Peaks & Rafters
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This Vacation Home Kitchen Delivers Beachy Boho Style
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more than 90 photos, examples and descriptions
Despite the many modern materials, wood continues to be in demand, both in interior decoration and in furniture production.
Kitchens made of wood are both natural warmth, and the beauty of wood texture, and nobility, and in some cases, the solidity of the kitchen interior. We must not forget that wood is an absolutely environmentally friendly material.
Contents
- Features
- Types of wood
- Coatings
- Design solutions of wood kitchens
- Classic style
- country and Provence
- Modern styles
- Combinations of styles ,000 Features
- hardwoods: oak, ash, beech;
- medium hard wood: birch;
- soft woods: pine, alder.
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Wooden furniture has long been associated with the comfort of a home and warmth. Even if imitation is used, the effect remains the same.
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Wood refers to classic furniture and quality workmanship. Therefore, wooden elements give the interior status and respectability.
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The wood has a very rich texture and pattern - they immediately attract attention and become an accent in the interior. nine0004
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Wood has always been associated with durability and reliability. And even if you buy an imitation, the psychological effect will be almost the same. Especially if it is not just a film, but an uneven, tactilely pleasant material.
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Wood finishes are predominantly matte, so they do not leave fingerprints, are easier to care for and therefore more practical.
Furniture made entirely of solid wood is very rare. And not only because of its high cost, but also due to the unpredictability of the behavior of solid wood during operation. The tree in the changing external conditions of the kitchen can simply “lead”. It will not add beauty, but it may well cause problems. nine0004
In serial production, when talking about a kitchen made of solid wood, they mean prefabricated boards made of glued beams. Headset facades are mainly made from such shields, and all its other parts are made from MDF, chipboard and plywood.
This design is both cheaper and definitely stronger.
Kitchens made of wood can also include furniture with a frame structure of facades, when the door is a wooden frame structure with a central part (panel) made of MDF or chipboard, covered with natural wood veneer. The veneer can also be artificial, imitating the structure of wood. nine0004
This article will focus on solid wood kitchens.
Types of wood
Types of wood are divided into hard and soft. The most common, from which kitchen furniture is produced:
Hardwoods are naturally stronger, more resistant to external damage and heavy loads. But their hardness creates difficulty in processing, they are less common in nature than soft rocks, which results in a higher cost of furniture. nine0004
Oak is the best option for the kitchen. Its wood is the most resistant to changes in temperature and humidity, it is strong and durable.
Beech is as hard as oak, but it lacks moisture resistance, so additional treatment with water-repellent compounds is a must in the production of beech kitchen furniture. Due to the light wood, beech has more options for tinting in other shades.
Ash is as durable as oak. Differs in its own rich palette of natural shades of wood. nine0004
Softwoods lose in terms of performance - such kitchen furniture will last many times less years, but it will be much cheaper. Birch in this regard occupies a middle place.
Alder, despite its softness, has increased moisture resistance and resistance to the absorption of foreign odors.
Pine is easy to process, is the most common tree in Russia and beyond, and therefore has one of the main advantages - relative cheapness. nine0004
Coatings
Wood furniture coatings are divided into transparent and opaque. The former include varnishes, waxes and oils.
Very often, a stain is used with them - a tinting liquid that changes the shade of wood into a darker color. Thus, for example, the natural, almost white color of birch becomes “dark walnut”.
The clear coat leaves the grain of the wood and its natural or stained color visible. The interior of the kitchen with such furniture will look as close to nature as possible, which will appeal to lovers of eco-style. nine0004
Opaque coatings include enamel in various shades. It completely paints over the natural color of wood, leaving only its barely visible texture. Most often, wooden kitchens are painted in light colors - white, beige, light green or light blue. This is dictated by the main interior styles that support wooden kitchens in their composition.
Wooden kitchen design solutions
Classic style
The most common interior style where wood furniture is used is the classic style. It is characterized by straight, symmetrical lines of facades and often dark wood tones.
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At the same time, the classics can be both strict and somewhat pompous due to the presence of cornices, figured carved details and gilding in the furniture decoration.
Classic kitchen with white enamel cabinetry looks elegant and fresh.
The dark wood of the furniture goes well with dark green. Greenery can be added with an artificial stone countertop, an apron trimmed with emerald-colored ceramic tiles and green lampshades. nine0004
On the other hand, dark furniture looks very nice in combination with white. A white countertop and light tile on the backsplash create a nice contrast.
For those who love maximum naturalness, a kitchen made of facades that have retained the entire structure of the tree, including inclusions of knots, is suitable. If such furniture is made of light wood, then a dark countertop and, for example, a kitchen island with a “reverse” color design - a dark base and a light countertop, will suit it.
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There will be no contradictions if, in combination with a light classic wood kitchen, there are light gray and beige worktops.
The interior of the kitchen can be made as rich as possible with eco-materials. To do this, add to the kitchen furniture made of natural wood the finish of a kitchen apron made of the same wood, cork floors and walls.
Wood, even in the classic style, goes well with stone or stone-imitating materials. For example, as in the photo below, where in the neighborhood there is a wood set and a stone in the lining of the apron and countertops. nine0004
Stone on the floor in the form of porcelain stoneware, stone countertops - all this will also be successfully combined with natural wood furniture.
Steel design home appliances blend with solid wood in the most natural way and do not contradict it, but only emphasize the modernity of the classics.
Built-in appliances in black look stylish with light wood.
Country and Provence
These two rustic styles imply a wood kitchen. The wood can be in these interiors in its natural color or painted in light green or light blue shades.
A signature touch of country, and especially Provence, is the aging of furniture by patting individual parts of the facade. Corners, edges or individual relief elements of furniture are rubbed with a special mixture, which adds the charm of antiquity to the tree.
Contemporary Styles
If you think that a solid wood kitchen can't support modern styles, it's not. Wood can be very laconic on kitchen fronts, due to which it will easily fit into any styles characteristic of modernity. The conciseness of the facades is achieved by the absence of frames and panels, and sometimes even visible fittings.
If you are a fan of all things Japanese, then the solid wood kitchen in the style of Japanese minimalism is sure to warm your soul.
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The steel worktop of the kitchen island, built-in appliances, the dome of the hood and fittings made of the same material will create a style close to hi-tech or modern in combination with wood.
Three color combinations: white, black and wood will create their unique minimalist combination of modern design.
Combinations of styles
Very non-standard, but, it should be noted, the combination of modern laminated facades with solid wood facades looks quite consistent. nine0004
Adding various elements of rustic style to solid wood furniture adds a special charm. Namely, deliberately rough elements of natural design - stone, raw wood, cuts of wood, logs.
Here, for example, how the simplicity of classic kitchen facades will be combined with a kitchen island made of natural rough stone.
An island top made from a huge cut of wood will bring natural riot and audacity to the atmosphere.
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Do-it-yourself wooden kitchen
Craftsmen's imagination is unbridled, but the most interesting cuisines are made in a marine or pirate style. The design of such facades includes the use of metal ribbons with rivets along the edge of the tabletops, rough metal elements as hinges, handles and sides, as well as carved elements of a marine theme.
Furniture with a large number of carved elements in the Old Slavonic style looks openwork and royal. nine0004
Designer's Tips
The well-known truth that light-colored finishes and furniture are suitable for expanding the space of a small kitchen also applies in this case. Facades made of light wood with a laconic design are ideal for small kitchens.
For greater lightness and airiness of the suite, some of the cabinets of the upper tier can be made with transparent glass inserts.
If the kitchen needs to create a sense of integrity in the interior, then this can be achieved by placing a dining group from the same material and the same design as the main furniture.
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If the whole room, including the floor, ceiling and walls, is made of wood as well as the furniture, then the whole kitchen is perceived as a single space, where one part of the interior smoothly “grows” from another. There are almost no contrasts in such an interior, but for some it will be the most harmonious and comfortable room.
When you want to dilute the design with other materials, feel free to choose, for example, chairs made of other types of wood, with wrought iron legs or upholstered in genuine leather or fabric. Any natural material will go well with a natural wood headset. nine0004
Pay attention to the texture of wood on the facades. If it is rich and varied, then let the decorative elements in such furniture be at a minimum. All the beauty of such facades lies precisely in the texture and pattern of wood.
More photos:
Wood-look kitchen fronts: the most interesting combinations
Wood-look kitchens are one of the most popular modern kitchen designs.
They look very cozy, add a sense of naturalness and environmental friendliness to the interior, harmoniously combined with different colors and invoices. Don't believe? We have collected the most beautiful and interesting examples. nine0247
The texture of wood is a universal design that will be appropriate in interiors of various styles. However, why is natural wood and wood imitations so popular in kitchens?
Benefits of wood grain furniture
The wood-look set is suitable for country houses and apartments. It can be entered as in a minimalist environment, and in country with log walls.
What are the most successful combinations of wood-like facades
Fashion trends allow you to confidently combine natural texture with modern materials to make the kitchen interior more stylish and interesting. Wood-look facades are perfectly combined with plain facades of different colors, with concrete and metal textures, with kitchen backsplashes made of ceramics, stone, glass and acrylic.
Wood + white
The abundance of wood can create an atmosphere of a wooden cottage or even a bath in the interior, so designers advise to freshen up the wooden finishes with neutral white surfaces. It can be a combination of wooden and white fronts on kitchen cabinets or a combination of a wooden kitchen with a white backsplash and countertops and white walls. nine0004
For example, in the interior below, the Grappio kitchen design used a combination of wooden fronts and kitchen backsplash with white fronts and walls. It turned out fresh, stylish and youthful.
Wood + black
There is one more classic combination with wood - black. Add dark tones if the soul requires brutality and pronounced style. Sometimes it is enough to add a couple of black cabinets and black chairs and fittings. And if you're ready for a more drastic change, the kitchen backsplash and the entire bottom row of cabinets can go black - then the black accent will become the main focus of attention in the kitchen.
Usually designers follow the rule that the lower cabinets should be darker than the upper ones - this way the look is more harmonious. nine0004
Wood + gray
Symbiosis with gray creates a harmonious color scheme. The wood itself is completely different, the shade depends on the type of wood or its imitation, and the gray color will make it even more intense and richer. There are many combinations: for example, gray base cabinets + wooden top cabinets, wooden base cabinets + gray top fronts or a gray tile backsplash. There may also be additional wooden inserts in open shelves - this will make the space more interesting and spectacular. nine0004
An example of such a combination is the design of the Rossela kitchen. Gray smooth facades here balance the more active texture of the wooden facades.
Wood + concrete
One of the wood and gray color combinations, combined with concrete or concrete look surfaces. Today, facades are produced with a coating that imitates concrete finish - this design looks especially stylish in interiors in the style of loft, scandi, minimalism.
The countertop and kitchen apron can also be concrete - usually these are custom items that are cast from microcement. But you can also use imitations - MDF panels with a film with a concrete texture. nine0004
In the design of the Paradiso kitchen, a combination of facades with wood and concrete textures was used. The effect was enhanced with the help of a countertop and a kitchen backsplash on the entire wall in a natural shade of wood.
Black appliances fit perfectly into the wooden details of the set. It is even better if the technique is completely monophonic without protruding chrome handles.
If you want to focus on specific areas of the kitchen, you can use rich colors of the fronts and kitchen backsplash finishes. Blue is a great accent color for a wooden kitchen. This natural combination is relaxing, relaxing and pleasing to the eye. It will look especially beautiful and elegant together with golden fittings and lamps. nine0004
The Empoli kitchen looks very unusual and bright due to the combination of two textures of wood with a blue-blue tint.
