15 wood kitchen cabinet ideas – the best new ways to use timber
Many homeowners like wood kitchen cabinets because of their classic appearance and because wood improves with age.
Think again if you worry that a wooden kitchen will date your property. Wood kitchen cabinet concepts that highlight the natural beauty of the wood are making a comeback.
There have been a lot of exciting new approaches to the style in recent years, which have re-popularized this timeless classic. We’ve broken down the most important factors to consider if you’re looking for new wood cabinet ideas for your kitchen.
WOOD KITCHEN CABINET IDEAS
A certain freedom and originality characterize the current wave of wood kitchens.
There is a combination of dark and light woods. The use of unprocessed, whole-log lumber is on the rise again. A newfound trend in interior design is to mix painted kitchen cabinet ideas with natural wood to create a laid-back atmosphere in the kitchen.
We surveyed experts in the field of kitchen design to learn what homeowners value most in their wood cabinetry. As you plan your next renovation, which option will you pick?
1. COMBINE WOOD WITH COLOR
‘Historically, lumber was seen as necessary in the construction of a kitchen and hence was often adorned with paint to cover it,’ explains Matt Prall, managing director, Papilio. “Recently, people have begun to appreciate the natural elegance of wood.”
The contrast between the exposed wood and the more saturated colours can make a design pop.
The rich Rebecca’s Red from Francesca’s Paints and a custom-blended deep blue contrast beautifully with the casual elegance of the lacquered quarter-sawn oak cabinetry.
In his opinion, the lumber adds a touch of gentleness and nature, while the paint colours add curiosity and balance.
2. GO FOR A WOODEN ISLAND
Wood is perfect for cabinets due to its natural beauty, warmth, strength, and resilience. But if the thought of an all-wood kitchen makes you feel weighed down, why not highlight the beauty of wood with a showpiece like an island?
According to Giles Slater, founder and designer of Figura, “Wood looks better as it matures and adds even more character.” The material is perfect for a kitchen island because of this.
The European oak was carefully selected as the room’s warm and inviting nerve centre. In contrast to the chilly blue painted tall cupboards that serve as the kitchen’s backdrop, the wood’s natural warmth, beauty, grain, and structure show out.
3. ADD INTEREST WITH RIBS AND RIDGES
Modern flair can be added to a kitchen by experimenting with different textures. Wood complements combinations of other natural materials, such as marble and granite kitchen countertop ideas, and can be utilized to contrast with and add mild warmth to more clinical elements, such as polished steel and glass.
Textures like slats and ribs can be used to take the design to the next level by adding depth and character to the space.
In this painted kitchen, the extractor hood above the stove is hidden by slatted wood.
Sola Kitchens CEO Sofia Bune Strandh gushes about how the Skog wood panelling makes the space more three-dimensional and luxurious. The Swedish word for “forest” is “Skog,” The idea behind the vertical slats is to evoke images of soaring trees.
4. GO FOR A MODERN RUSTIC LOOK WITH RAW GRAIN
There is a vast range of cuts and species of timber available, some with a continuous vertical grain and others producing beautifully patterned finishes (oak and walnut being prevalent for kitchens). Finishes like lacquers, dyes, oils, and waxes can be used to bring out the wood’s natural beauty while also protecting it.
Rustic, homey qualities are lent to this Metro Urbo kitchen in matt lacquer green, including rough sawn oak. This is a beautiful take on eco-friendly kitchen design.
According to Oli Moss, senior designer at Roundhouse, “by using wood in a kitchen with contemporary cabinetry and tiled flooring, you can avoid the area looking clinical.”
5. OPT FOR A TIMELESS TIMBER
Timber from sustainably managed forests is both recyclable and renewable, making it a more eco-friendly material option than many others. This is why its natural beauty is recognized in today’s sustainable kitchens.
‘deVOL has always been careful to utilize responsibly sourced wood for all our furniture,’ explains Helen Parker, the company’s design director. Together, this and skilled construction should make for a long-lasting wooden kitchen. She explains that they are popular because “they are highly enticing to those searching for something that will endure the test of time, practically and in a timeless design.”
Enjoy it to the fullest in settings that highlight its distinctive grain and honeyed tones, like this one-of-a-kind oak kitchen that takes its cue from the counters of mid-century haberdasheries. The painted walls, floor, and ceiling, along with the cold Estremoz marble worktops, create a contrasting, bright, and airy atmosphere in this country kitchen that is further enhanced by a custom-made, aged copper counter.
6. GO FOR THE PERFECT BLEND
Kitchen by Studio Jake Arnold, an American design firm. “We wanted to maintain the home’s original character, and the kitchen here does an excellent job of fusing old and new,” explains Jake. The exposed beams pop against the lighter wood of the cabinets and floor, and the ogee edge of the stone countertop is a lovely touch.
7. CHOOSE A DARK WOOD FOR DRAMA
The antique furniture’s timeless quality has been expertly updated with modern lines and detailing while retaining the piece’s traditional colour palette and level of craftsmanship.
Cesar’s Intarsio collection features doors with distinctive cross-direction veneers inspired by traditional marquetry combined with black marble and other luxury materials to create a one-of-a-kind kitchen.
8. ADD A FLUTED FINISH FOR TEXTURE AND DEPTH
The traditional material wood is given a contemporary update by using three-dimensional surfaces that change appearance depending on the lighting. Sofia Bune Strandh, CEO of Sola Kitchens, says, “Combined with elegant flat-fronted doors in pristine white, thin vertical wood slats create texture and depth, accentuating the tension between plain and pattern.”
Swedish for “forest”; the inspiration for Sola Kitchens’ new wood-centric SKOG design. She continues, “It’s called SKOG partially because the wooden slats resemble the forms of trees,” evoking a characteristic of Scandinavian design in its use of natural materials.
9. GO FOR AN INTEGRATED DESIGN
This modern, well-made kitchen features gorgeously grained wood that accents the room and adds a sense of warmth and character. Simon Boocock, managing director of CRL Quartz, adds, “The industrial style is crucial here.” A rough finish makes the hardy ceramic surface of Ceralsio Slate Grey low-maintenance and long-lasting.
10. TAKE A MODERN APPROACH WITH SLEEK SURFACES
Taking timber in a modern direction demands careful consideration to avoid obscuring the material’s inherent charm. TR Studio opted for the Sebastian Cox collection from deVOL, which has darkly stained beech cabinetry.
In the kitchen, we prefer to employ wood subtly and soothingly. Tom Rutt, a creator of TR Studio, says, “You can have clean lines and employ smooth materials, but the wood itself offers workmanship and texture, both visual and tactile.”
We like how this kitchen combines classic and modern elements. This door is made of actual wood, but the colouration gives it an abstracted, contemporary feel.
11. TURN TO RECLAIMED FOR A MORE UNIQUE AND SUSTAINABLE LOOK
The environmental benefits of using reclaimed wood are apparent and have a distinct aesthetic value. This version by salvage specialists Retrouvius shows a more refined aesthetic approach, typically associated with more rustic, timeworn kitchen styles and designs. The antique wooden shelves serve as door fronts, and the geometric designs are expertly created for maximum impact.
Retrouvius’s founder, Maria Speake, adds, “Our recovered tropical hardwoods were employed in the regions where the primary cooking action takes place.” The occasional splash of oil from cooking is absorbed by the wood, adding to the timber’s inherent oiliness and protecting the wood, making it “brilliant for backsplashes and counters.”
12. MIMIC FREESTANDING FURNITURE
It’s best to keep the timber out of direct view at eye level, where its presence will be less dominant. It may also help the space seem less “kitchen.”
Jayne Everett, the co-founder of Naked Kitchens, says, “Using oak kitchen cabinet worktops and wrapping the drawer units in the same wood provides a modular design, more comparable to a living room sideboard.” Unlike the typical fitted kitchen, “we wanted each wood section to look like it was made as a separate piece of furniture.”
White American Oak was selected for its strong, closely interlaced grain and gentle washed tones. A specialized Nano coating was applied to the wood, giving it durability without affecting its natural appearance.
13. PICK FLAT-FRONT CABINETRY FOR MID-CENTURY APPEAL
A minimalist approach to kitchen design can be appealing if you want to make your cooking area feel more like an extension of your living room than a dedicated work area.
Kitchen cabinets with a flat front are functional, classic, and can have a ton of personality if the wood is high quality and the finish is textured. Handleless cabinets are ideally suited to flush door designs and can even help to establish a subdued mid-century mood.
14. COMBINE WOOD KITCHEN CABINETRY WITH ANTIQUE WOOD FURNITURE
Using new cabinetry with antique furniture is one way to achieve an eclectic appearance that centres on wood kitchen cabinet ideas. Bert & May’s eclectic kitchen features freestanding wooden units with a hand-crafted feel and a mahogany cabinet with a glass front, adding a distinctive element to the space.
15. FOCUS ON THE KITCHEN ISLAND
While the kitchen island is typically the focal point of the design, it can be highlighted even more by being a different colour or material than the rest of the kitchen’s fixtures.
The design director of Harvey Jones, Melissa Klink, discusses why wood is excellent for a kitchen island:
Using recycled wood gives the kitchen a unique backstory. Reclaimed lumber is inviting and full of rich detail, and it, like other materials with an organic impact, serves to ground the room and offer an instant sense of serenity. You can’t get that vintage feel with modern materials; it’s just stunning.
ARE WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS OUT OF STYLE?
Kitchen cabinets made of wood will never go out of style, and today’s homeowners are more interested in designs made from ethically harvested or salvaged lumber. Fluting, unique, textured treatments and inlay are at the cutting edge of modern wood kitchen cabinetry design.
WHAT GOES WITH WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS?
Wood cabinets look great with a wide variety of finishes and hues. Combine wood cabinetry with different woods to create a beautifully textured area, and use dark and light wood with pale marble countertops for a contemporary look. We recommend not using competing colours or materials best to appreciate the wood’s natural tones and textures.
WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR WOOD FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?
Oak, cherry, hickory, pine, and maple are some of the most common types of wood used for kitchen cabinets. However, a wood native to your area might be ideal, as it will better blend in with the rest of your home and the kitchen’s fixtures and fittings.
Mixed woods are another popular choice for 2019 kitchens for individual cabinets and cabinetry and countertops that work together.
HOW DO I CARE FOR A WOOD KITCHEN?
You must adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when cleaning and maintaining kitchen appliances.
Lacquer is commonly used to preserve wooden kitchen doors from stains and scuffs, so they usually require little maintenance beyond the occasional wipe-down with a clean, soft, moist cloth.
To prevent the acidic elements of food from reacting with the lacquer and ultimately stripping the protective surface off the doors, be sure to clean them up as soon as they happen.
Water can discolour and deform wood, so avoid leaving it in contact with it for too long.
You may maintain the gleaming appearance of some types of cabinet doors by periodically cleaning them with a clear, natural spray wax, as directed by the manufacturer.
