New This Week: 6 Attractive Kitchens With Wood Cabinets
See how various wood species, stain colors and cabinet styles can create different moods and looks in a kitchen
Mitchell Parker
August 13, 2021
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
For some people, the mention of wood cabinets brings back memories of basic honey-colored boxes paired with linoleum floors. But there are so many compelling and luxurious looks to wood cabinets. By playing with various species, wood grains, stains, cabinet styles and other details, designers can create stylish wood cabinetry that offers warmth and interest that painted cabinets can’t match. Here, six kitchens with wood cabinets show a range of styles to consider.
1. Aspen Oak
Engineer: Kirsten Sessions of H2 View
Location: Seattle
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters); 10 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted an open feel that drew your eye out to the view of the lake,” project engineer Kirsten Sessions says. “And they wanted to incorporate natural elements and accents of blue throughout the home to accent the lake.”
Wood cabinets. Aspen oak with vertical-grain, flat-panel fronts. “The wood cabinets warmed up the feel of the kitchen,” Sessions says. “It contrasts with the white-and-gray island countertop and backsplash.”
Other special features. “Minimalistic hardware lets the cabinets stand out as the feature design element,” Sessions says. “Opaque glass cabinets create a contrast and break up the cabinet wall. Matching slab island waterfall edges and full-height slab backsplash connect the space together. Adding a couple of open shelves for some small decorations and plants adds personality to the space.”
Sessions uses Houzz Pro software to keep track of client leads and communications.
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Engineer: Kirsten Sessions of H2 View
Location: Seattle
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters); 10 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted an open feel that drew your eye out to the view of the lake,” project engineer Kirsten Sessions says. “And they wanted to incorporate natural elements and accents of blue throughout the home to accent the lake.”
Wood cabinets. Aspen oak with vertical-grain, flat-panel fronts. “The wood cabinets warmed up the feel of the kitchen,” Sessions says. “It contrasts with the white-and-gray island countertop and backsplash.”
Other special features. “Minimalistic hardware lets the cabinets stand out as the feature design element,” Sessions says. “Opaque glass cabinets create a contrast and break up the cabinet wall. Matching slab island waterfall edges and full-height slab backsplash connect the space together. Adding a couple of open shelves for some small decorations and plants adds personality to the space.”
Sessions uses Houzz Pro software to keep track of client leads and communications.
Find a kitchen designer near you
2. Maple
Designer: Laurel McAteer of Spencer Design Studio
Location: San Carlos, California
Size: 275 square feet (26 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Create a larger island with casual seating in a lighter, brighter setting.
Wood cabinets. Stained maple with Shaker-style fronts. “We loved the use of mixed cabinetry, using both stained maple and light-gray-painted maple cabinets,” designer Laurel McAteer says. “We did inset cabinets so that we could achieve a seamless, modern look and create a ‘painted frame’ around the wood cabinets.”
Other special features. Marble-look quartz countertops. Marble backsplash tile in a chevron pattern. White bronze cabinet hardware. Woven bar stools with teak frames.
Designer tip. “We wanted to hide the small appliances — coffee maker, blender, toaster — from sitting on the countertops, so we did our signature ‘coffee station’ on the right end of the cabinets,” McAteer says. “Hinged accordion doors open to the appliance station.”
Bar stools: Loom, Essentials for Living
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Designer: Laurel McAteer of Spencer Design Studio
Location: San Carlos, California
Size: 275 square feet (26 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Create a larger island with casual seating in a lighter, brighter setting.
Wood cabinets. Stained maple with Shaker-style fronts. “We loved the use of mixed cabinetry, using both stained maple and light-gray-painted maple cabinets,” designer Laurel McAteer says. “We did inset cabinets so that we could achieve a seamless, modern look and create a ‘painted frame’ around the wood cabinets.”
Other special features. Marble-look quartz countertops. Marble backsplash tile in a chevron pattern. White bronze cabinet hardware. Woven bar stools with teak frames.
Designer tip. “We wanted to hide the small appliances — coffee maker, blender, toaster — from sitting on the countertops, so we did our signature ‘coffee station’ on the right end of the cabinets,” McAteer says. “Hinged accordion doors open to the appliance station.”
Bar stools: Loom, Essentials for Living
Shop for bar and counter stools
3. Walnut
Design-build firm: Carly Leasia of Forward Design Build Remodel
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Size: 238 square feet (22 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A larger, updated, brighter family kitchen that complements the midcentury modern style of the home.
Wood cabinets. Walnut with vertical-grain, flat-panel fronts and exposed plywood edging and notched handles. “The decision to use walnut cabinets was instrumental in achieving a true midcentury modern kitchen,” designer Carly Leasia says. “The rich brown tones and dynamic graining of walnut is iconic for the era and takes center stage against a neutral palette.”
Other special features. Light gray mosaic backsplash tile in a stacked pattern with dark grout. White quartz countertops. Black, aged brass and milk glass globe pendants.
Designer tip. “This room embodies the ‘less is more’ mentality successfully,” Leasia says. “The palette is neutral and complementary. The lines of the tile and cabinetry are straightforward but visually stunning. There is a harmonious collaboration between the walnut, white quartz and light gray backsplash.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “An existing structural wall was right in the middle of where we wanted to expand the kitchen and install a large island,” Leasia says. “Instead of designing an adequate kitchen to accommodate this structure, we decided to redesign the structure to accommodate a fantastic kitchen. We removed the existing structural wall, added new posts and a new crossbeam and transformed the kitchen into one larger open space.”
Pendants: Mitzi Renee, Hudson Valley Lighting; cabinets: Kerf Design; wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore
Popular Cabinet Door Styles for Kitchens of All Kinds
Design-build firm: Carly Leasia of Forward Design Build Remodel
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Size: 238 square feet (22 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A larger, updated, brighter family kitchen that complements the midcentury modern style of the home.
Wood cabinets. Walnut with vertical-grain, flat-panel fronts and exposed plywood edging and notched handles. “The decision to use walnut cabinets was instrumental in achieving a true midcentury modern kitchen,” designer Carly Leasia says. “The rich brown tones and dynamic graining of walnut is iconic for the era and takes center stage against a neutral palette.”
Other special features. Light gray mosaic backsplash tile in a stacked pattern with dark grout. White quartz countertops. Black, aged brass and milk glass globe pendants.
Designer tip. “This room embodies the ‘less is more’ mentality successfully,” Leasia says. “The palette is neutral and complementary. The lines of the tile and cabinetry are straightforward but visually stunning. There is a harmonious collaboration between the walnut, white quartz and light gray backsplash.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “An existing structural wall was right in the middle of where we wanted to expand the kitchen and install a large island,” Leasia says. “Instead of designing an adequate kitchen to accommodate this structure, we decided to redesign the structure to accommodate a fantastic kitchen. We removed the existing structural wall, added new posts and a new crossbeam and transformed the kitchen into one larger open space.”
Pendants: Mitzi Renee, Hudson Valley Lighting; cabinets: Kerf Design; wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore
Popular Cabinet Door Styles for Kitchens of All Kinds
4. Rift-Sawn White Oak
Designer: Laura Brophy Interiors
Location: Huntington Beach, California
Size: 360 square feet (33 square meters); 18 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. Open up the room, change the layout and add a large, two-level island with an integrated dining area. “The redesign of the kitchen nearly doubled the clients’ cabinet and countertop space and created the perfect room for entertaining family and friends,” designer Laura Brophy says.
Wood cabinets. Rift-sawn white oak in a custom stain. “The refrigerator panels and cabinets and drawers on the right side of the kitchen were painted in Whisper White by Dunn-Edwards, which is the same paint color used on the ceiling,” Brophy says. “This really helped us to create an airy, open-feeling space.”
Other special features. Quartzite countertops. White shiplap-style cabinets. White ceramic tile backsplash. “The large, split-level island is definitely the coolest feature,” Brophy says. “It includes an informal dining area for six people. This extra counter space is also great for entertaining, additional prep space when needed and so much more. It not only looks cool, but it’s also super functional.”
Designer: Laura Brophy Interiors
Location: Huntington Beach, California
Size: 360 square feet (33 square meters); 18 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. Open up the room, change the layout and add a large, two-level island with an integrated dining area. “The redesign of the kitchen nearly doubled the clients’ cabinet and countertop space and created the perfect room for entertaining family and friends,” designer Laura Brophy says.
Wood cabinets. Rift-sawn white oak in a custom stain. “The refrigerator panels and cabinets and drawers on the right side of the kitchen were painted in Whisper White by Dunn-Edwards, which is the same paint color used on the ceiling,” Brophy says. “This really helped us to create an airy, open-feeling space.”
Other special features. Quartzite countertops. White shiplap-style cabinets. White ceramic tile backsplash. “The large, split-level island is definitely the coolest feature,” Brophy says. “It includes an informal dining area for six people. This extra counter space is also great for entertaining, additional prep space when needed and so much more. It not only looks cool, but it’s also super functional.”
5. Maple With a Deep Stain
Designer: Alison Roberts of Alison Ann Interiors
Builder: Russell & Co. Construction
Location: Victory Ranch, Kamas, Utah
Size: 330 square feet (31 square meters); 15 by 22 feet
Homeowners’ request. Evoke a warm, clean modern mountain style.
Wood cabinets. These maple cabinets have a custom stain with a hint of black in it that coordinates with the black steel beam.
Other special features. Gray quartz countertops with a waterfall edge on the island. Backsplash of large, white, rectangular tiles set in a brick pattern with dark grout.
Designer tip. “The black industrial steel beam took this kitchen to the next level,” designer Alison Roberts says.
Wall paint: Edgecomb Gray, Benjamin Moore
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
Designer: Alison Roberts of Alison Ann Interiors
Builder: Russell & Co. Construction
Location: Victory Ranch, Kamas, Utah
Size: 330 square feet (31 square meters); 15 by 22 feet
Homeowners’ request. Evoke a warm, clean modern mountain style.
Wood cabinets. These maple cabinets have a custom stain with a hint of black in it that coordinates with the black steel beam.
Other special features. Gray quartz countertops with a waterfall edge on the island. Backsplash of large, white, rectangular tiles set in a brick pattern with dark grout.
Designer tip. “The black industrial steel beam took this kitchen to the next level,” designer Alison Roberts says.
Wall paint: Edgecomb Gray, Benjamin Moore
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
6. White Oak
Designer: Jason Thompson of J.THOM Residential Design & Materials
Location: Philadelphia
Size: 240 square feet (22 square meters); 12 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. Create a modern kitchen that doesn’t veer too cold or sterile. The homeowners also wanted some separation between the kitchen and dining area to help hide kitchen clutter from view.
Wood cabinets. White oak with flat-panel fronts and minimal grain variation. “It keeps things fresh and clean,” designer Jason Thompson says.
Other special features. Sintered stone countertops in a matte finish. Blue mosaic backsplash tile. “The tile provides the perfect splash of color and complements the warm undertones of the cabinets,” Thompson says. Cabinets conceal the ventilation hood above the induction cooktop. A decorative wood panel behind the sink has a raised portion that conceals countertop clutter from the dining area.
Designer tip. “By carrying the backsplash tile line across the window, we further distinguished the kitchen from the dining space,” Thompson says. “This visual trick also kept the prep space from feeling too much like a galley layout. Additionally, by paneling the dishwasher and refrigerator and concealing the hood, we created a seamless backdrop so that your eye moves effortlessly throughout the space.”
More on Houzz
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Designer: Jason Thompson of J.THOM Residential Design & Materials
Location: Philadelphia
Size: 240 square feet (22 square meters); 12 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. Create a modern kitchen that doesn’t veer too cold or sterile. The homeowners also wanted some separation between the kitchen and dining area to help hide kitchen clutter from view.
Wood cabinets. White oak with flat-panel fronts and minimal grain variation. “It keeps things fresh and clean,” designer Jason Thompson says.
Other special features. Sintered stone countertops in a matte finish. Blue mosaic backsplash tile. “The tile provides the perfect splash of color and complements the warm undertones of the cabinets,” Thompson says. Cabinets conceal the ventilation hood above the induction cooktop. A decorative wood panel behind the sink has a raised portion that conceals countertop clutter from the dining area.
Designer tip. “By carrying the backsplash tile line across the window, we further distinguished the kitchen from the dining space,” Thompson says. “This visual trick also kept the prep space from feeling too much like a galley layout. Additionally, by paneling the dishwasher and refrigerator and concealing the hood, we created a seamless backdrop so that your eye moves effortlessly throughout the space.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
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The Aspen Oak is a beautiful kitchen
Nice
Ihirzel WOW love your kitchen!
Abuddhafullife I also have Cherry Cabinets ( installed 2010).I fell out of love with them until we brightened it up with a modern crystal glass chandelier in dinning nook and glass pendants lights over the peninsula area.I love the rich wood,so much character IMO.