Walnut cabinets with gold hardware

Consumer Information

ARE NATURAL WOOD CABINETS OUT OF STYLE?

When you trace the history of kitchen cabinets, you’ll find many styles, layouts, and trends, but one thing has remained the same: natural wood. For many years, it dominated kitchen design as the number one choice, but over time, it has lost some ground 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 want to start a home renovation, here are some reasons to consider 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 an excellent 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 species of woods, paired with their varying grain patterns, creates a unique elegance that graces 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 everyday wear and tear. This is one reason that natural wood cabinets make an excellent material choice. They offer a solid, finished product that will last a long time. While they are not invincible to damage such as scratches, these can be reasonably 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 unique, choose natural wood. If you are looking for something elegant and beautiful, choose natural wood.

white, grey, and brown kitchen

Ways To Have Natural Wood In The Home

Wood is a versatile material that pairs well with other materials, giving it a tremendous advantage in the design world. 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 are often the obvious choice for wood cabinets, other areas of the home can also benefit from their beauty. A wood bathroom vanity adds visual interest, especially when contrasted with white tile. A wooden desk not only looks fantastic but is also durable and can withstand those endless stacks of paperwork. Mudrooms made from natural wood always enhance the look of the hallway or foyer and look amazing in the laundry room due to their organic feel. Natural wood is a material that blends into any area of the home, adding character and a charm all its own. This makes it the ultimate choice for your project.

white kitchen with a red runner rug

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 particular characteristics, such as grain patterns and color ranges, that can play a key role in the design of a space. While wood works well in nearly all home areas, some selections are better than others.

Popular wood choices for kitchen cabinets are oak, walnut, and maple. Oak, with its beautiful variations, such as cerused, quarter-sawn, and white oak, is among the top choices for many of our clients. Of course, solid selections like oak, along with a more delicate look like birch or driftwood, are popular choices for bathroom cabinets. This helps match the often spa-like atmosphere homeowners want in their bathrooms.

Certain grain patterns can influence the decision to use wood in a particular area of the home.

Close-grained wood 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 best for your project.

bathroom vanity with tile flooring

Pairing Natural Wood With Color

Natural wood colors can be considered more neutral, meaning they can be paired with almost any color as if they were made for it. You can create a stunning contrast or blend harmony between wood and color. Darker woods like walnut go extremely well with whites and grays, while light woods like quarter-sawn white oak make a beautiful statement with darker colors like blue and black. Even a single piece can combine wood and color to create an elegant product, such as a white cabinet frame with solid wood drawers. Color can also be added through hardware, such as black matte hardware and white cabinets. Don’t be afraid to explore different things for your home. Check out sites like Pinterest and Houzz for more inspiration, or talk with your designer to 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, resulting 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 know this because we have been building custom wood cabinets for over 20 years. Our experienced design team is ready to help you discover which wood is the perfect match for your home and which style best represents you. From kitchens, bathrooms, and home offices, we have the knowledge and attention to detail to make your home stand out. Serving more than 15 counties and counting, call us today to set up your design appointment. Let’s plan your project together.

/onDecember 21, 2021/updatedJanuary 28, 2026/inConsumer Information
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