I'm in the process of having Walnut cabinets installed right now. I think it depends on many factors. How much light do you have in your kitchen? What color is the paint? What color is the floor? What do you have planned for a countertop?

We had to replace the floor due to a flood, which is why we embarked on this kitchen remodel. I originally had a darker, java bamboo, but went with natural bamboo this time (in spite of liking the java better) because I knew I wanted Walnut cabinets and was afraid of it becoming a black hole of a kitchen.

I don't have my upper doors on yet, so I can't really report officially how dark it looks, but I think with the right combination, you'll be totally fine doing all Walnut.

I'm also in the process of having walnut cabinets installed. My kitchen is north-facing and will not get direct sun. The lower cabinets will have walnut slab doors and the uppers will be a combination of glass and glossy white. I thought the glossy white would reflect light and keep it from being too dark.

Pictures next week, I hope.

If your kitchen is bright I'm sure you could get away with all walnut. How much direct sun does it get?

It also depends a bit on how many upper cabinets you are doing. If you have lots and lots of uppers you really may want to consider white, glass or just open shelves. Just my opinion, but I find loads of upper cabinets in wood or dark paint a bit oppressive. But it totally depends on lighting, kitchen layout, whether you are going for a modern or traditional look, etc.

Also keep in mind that natural walnut (not a walnut stain) really isn't very dark - I call it a medium brown. And walnut lightens with time. It will never be a light as maple of course, but it really isn't a "dark" dark wood.

I have walnut lowers and just two white uppers plus a white pantry wall. My kitchen has low to medium light with some (not much) direct light at certain times of day. I thought all walnut would be a bit much.

Hi all, thanks for the input! I believe my kitchen is east-facing. It has a large bank of windows facing east where my banquette will go. The cooking wall and the sink wall are interior walls with no natural light. I chose a medium white paint for the walls (BM soft chamois) and ceiling, and a light limestone floor so far. Right now, it feels moderately bright, without anything in it. I will have about 8 feet of uppers above my sink wall. The other side is split up by the rangehood, with about 3 feet on either side. My house is a mediterranean with a contemporary bent. If I do two-tone, would it be better to go with the shaker doors and keep it more contemporary?
Sochi, your kitchen is one of my inspirations! I love your countertops also and am hoping to find a nice quartzite slab like yours too.
Mrsjoe and annkathryn, I am eagerly awaiting pics of your kitchens!