Post by Stacey Walker. Stacey mostly works behind the scenes for Walker Woodworking, managing day to day operations, and marketing. Stacey has helped many clients create their dream space.
Are Natural Wood Cabinets Out of Style?
When you trace kitchen cabinets back through history there will be many styles, layouts, and trends but one thing has remained the same and that is natural wood. For many years it dominated the kitchen design as the number one choice but over the years it has lost some presence as pops of color have slowly made their way into the heart of the home. While natural wood cabinets are not at the height of their career as they once were, we can guarantee that they will never go out of style. They are solid, go with just about any design style, and bring the beauty of nature into the home like nothing else can. If you are looking to start a home renovation, here are some reasons why you should think about choosing natural wood cabinets and how to incorporate them into your home.
Why choose natural wood cabinets?
Unique. Elegant. Durable. All of these words offer reasons of their own for why natural wood cabinets are a good choice for your home. They have a pure look that can’t be compared to anything else. The diversity of color found in the many speci of woods paired with their varying grain patterns creates a unique elegance to grace any home. No matter the style or the space, there is a wood to match. Wood is an adaptable material that pairs well with just about anything making it the perfect material for whatever area of the home you are remodeling or renovating. It is also a durable material that can withstand the everyday wear and tear of daily living. This is one reason that natural wood cabinets make a great material choice because they offer you a strong finished product that will be around for a long time. While they are not invincible to damage such as scratches, these can be fairly easy to fix or cover up. They also bring a part of nature into the home giving it an organic look and feel. If you are looking for cabinets that will last, choose natural wood. If you are looking for something that is unique, choose natural wood. If you are looking for something that is elegant and beautiful, choose natural wood.
Ways to have natural wood in the home
Wood is a versatile material that pairs well with other materials which gives it a tremendous advantage in the world of design. It can be used as a statement piece such as a custom hood in the kitchen or as shelving in a glass front cabinet. They can also work well as a background, almost like a canvas to help something else shine such as a shelf where you showcase your family heirlooms or pictures. Natural wood is a good option for any area of the home:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Home Office
- Mud Rooms
- Laundry Rooms
While kitchens tend to be the obvious choice for wood cabinets, these other areas in the home can also benefit from its beauty. A bathroom vanity made from wood adds visual interest especially when contrasted against white tile. A wood desk not only looks amazing but it is also durable and capable of bearing those endless stacks of paperwork. Mud rooms designed using natural wood always enhance the look of the hallway or foyer and also look amazing in the laundry room due to its organic feel. Natural wood is a material that will blend into any area of the home, giving it character and a charm all its own. This makes it the ultimate choice for your project.
What cabinets look best in natural wood?
There are multiple options available when it comes to wood including:
- Oak
- Walnut
- Alder
- Pine
- Hickory
- Maple
- Cherry
Each has their own particular characteristics such as grain patterns and color ranges which can play a key role in the design of a space. While wood works well in nearly all areas of the home, some selections are better than others.
Popular wood choices for kitchen cabinets are oak, walnut, and maple. Due to the beautiful variations of oak such as cerused, quarter sawn, and white oak, it is among the top choices for many of our clients. Popular choices for bathroom cabinets are of course solid selections like oak along with a more delicate look like birch or driftwood. This helps to match the often spa-like atmosphere that homeowners want to have in their bathroom.
Certain grain patterns can influence the decision of wood used in a particular area of the home.
There is also a close-grained wood which means the tree rings are tight. When it is sawn into lumber it gives off the illusion of being smooth. Some examples of this include walnut, maple, and alder. An open grain indicates a wood with a large grain such as hickory and oak. Your designer will know which wood will be the best choice for your project.
Pairing natural wood with color
Natural wood colors can be considered more neutral which means they can be paired with almost any color as if it was made for it. You can create a stunning contrast or blending harmony between wood and color. Darker woods like walnut go extremely well with whites and grays while light woods such as quarter sawn white oak make a beautiful statement with darker colors like blue and black. Even one piece can combine both wood and color that forms an elegant product such as a white cabinet frame with solid wood drawers. Color can also be added through hardware like black matte hardware and white cabinets. Don’t be afraid to explore different things for your home, check out places like Pinterest and Houzz to find more inspiration or talk with your designer and get their feedback. Check out some ideas from Better Homes and Gardens here. Wood and color are two fun elements that can give your home the little extra you have been looking for which results in a finished project you will fall in love with again and again.
Are natural wood cabinets out of style?
The answer is no, they may have seen a shift in placement but they will remain a design favorite. From a wide array of styles to beautiful shades, natural wood cabinets are here to stay. They are versatile, durable, and organic. Their unique characteristics will continue to inspire and awe homeowners for years to come and we should know since we have been building custom wood cabinets for over twenty years. Our experienced design team is ready to help you discover which wood is the perfect match for your home and what style represents you best. From kitchens, bathrooms, and home offices, we have the knowledge and attention to detail that will make your home stand out from the rest. Serving more than 15 counties and counting, give us a call today to set up your design appointment. Let’s plan your project together.
