5 Inviting New Kitchens With Light Wood Cabinets
Designers, including two found on Houzz, use light oak cabinetry to help warm and brighten kitchens in stylish ways
After white, wood is the most popular choice for cabinetry colors. While a variety of wood species and tones are warming kitchens right now, light wood seems to be having a special moment. It’s durable, has subtle but compelling grain patterning and works well with many styles. Here, designers share the details in five kitchens featuring stylish light oak cabinets.
2. Washed Oak
Designers: Lauren Lozano Ziol and Nicole Ruzbasan of SKIN Interior Design
Architect: Northworks
Location: Michigan
Homeowners’ request. “This kitchen was built from scratch,” designer Lauren Lozano Ziol says. “Our client wanted a quintessential traditional kitchen that was light and airy and worked with her very British farmhouse aesthetic. Blue is a favorite color woven throughout the home, so we brought that in as the accent. We went for a timeless and classic look. Each interior cabinet was perfectly measured for their cookware, and the flow was planned out to work with how the couple cook and entertain. Storage was key for our design and there is plenty, even a built-in coffee bar/teakettle bar with organization below for teas.”
Wood cabinets. “We decided on a washed oak that felt very farm-y and old-world and matched well with the ceiling wood beams,” Lozano Ziol says. “We selected a very beaded detail on the doors that has an elegance. We chose the gorgeous tile backsplash to pop and create another material. The Victorian tiles on the backsplash also add to this very English look and feel. Leather stools bring in another nice texture.”
Designer tip. “Attention to detail and thoughtful consideration of scale and space helped us create a magical space,” Lozano Ziol says.
Wall paint: All White, Farrow & Ball
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Designers: Lauren Lozano Ziol and Nicole Ruzbasan of SKIN Interior Design
Architect: Northworks
Location: Michigan
Homeowners’ request. “This kitchen was built from scratch,” designer Lauren Lozano Ziol says. “Our client wanted a quintessential traditional kitchen that was light and airy and worked with her very British farmhouse aesthetic. Blue is a favorite color woven throughout the home, so we brought that in as the accent. We went for a timeless and classic look. Each interior cabinet was perfectly measured for their cookware, and the flow was planned out to work with how the couple cook and entertain. Storage was key for our design and there is plenty, even a built-in coffee bar/teakettle bar with organization below for teas.”
Wood cabinets. “We decided on a washed oak that felt very farm-y and old-world and matched well with the ceiling wood beams,” Lozano Ziol says. “We selected a very beaded detail on the doors that has an elegance. We chose the gorgeous tile backsplash to pop and create another material. The Victorian tiles on the backsplash also add to this very English look and feel. Leather stools bring in another nice texture.”
Designer tip. “Attention to detail and thoughtful consideration of scale and space helped us create a magical space,” Lozano Ziol says.
Wall paint: All White, Farrow & Ball
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3. White Oak With a Hint of Gray Wash
Designer: Michelle Williamson of Williamson & Co
Location: Lake Forest, California
Homeowners’ request. “The main goal was to maximize the square footage in the space by making it more functional and updated,” says designer Michelle Williamson, whose client found her through Houzz. “They desired a fresh and classic look but wanted a splash of eclectic coastal vibe using timeless materials and a neutral but warm palette.”
Wood cabinets. “The clients desired an all-wood cabinet from the start,” Williamson says. “Like so many other homeowners today, they loved the white oak species and decided to go with a quartersawn cut and natural stain finish that had a hint of a gray wash. The white oak was complemented by a few uppers and an appliance garage in Sherwin-Williams Pure White.”
Williamson uses Houzz Pro business software to help manage her projects.
Other special features. “In my opinion, the best feature of this home’s kitchen is the Infinity quartzite we used on the counters, backsplash and the integrated sink — my favorite,” Williamson says. “The sink sits at an angle, which initially we wanted to eliminate. However, adding the stone apron made all the difference and it’s one of the heroes of this kitchen. This is a great example of turning a negative into a positive.”
Designer tip. “The clients had a little difficulty seeing ‘the big picture’ and imagining what it would look like,” Williamson says. “In instances like this one, I used 3D renders to help enhance their understanding of how different elements will come together, as well as for visual design refinement — and ultimately so they could make informed decisions for their space.”
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Designer: Michelle Williamson of Williamson & Co
Location: Lake Forest, California
Homeowners’ request. “The main goal was to maximize the square footage in the space by making it more functional and updated,” says designer Michelle Williamson, whose client found her through Houzz. “They desired a fresh and classic look but wanted a splash of eclectic coastal vibe using timeless materials and a neutral but warm palette.”
Wood cabinets. “The clients desired an all-wood cabinet from the start,” Williamson says. “Like so many other homeowners today, they loved the white oak species and decided to go with a quartersawn cut and natural stain finish that had a hint of a gray wash. The white oak was complemented by a few uppers and an appliance garage in Sherwin-Williams Pure White.”
Williamson uses Houzz Pro business software to help manage her projects.
Other special features. “In my opinion, the best feature of this home’s kitchen is the Infinity quartzite we used on the counters, backsplash and the integrated sink — my favorite,” Williamson says. “The sink sits at an angle, which initially we wanted to eliminate. However, adding the stone apron made all the difference and it’s one of the heroes of this kitchen. This is a great example of turning a negative into a positive.”
Designer tip. “The clients had a little difficulty seeing ‘the big picture’ and imagining what it would look like,” Williamson says. “In instances like this one, I used 3D renders to help enhance their understanding of how different elements will come together, as well as for visual design refinement — and ultimately so they could make informed decisions for their space.”
How to Design a Kitchen That Brings People Together
4. White Oak With a Clear Coat
Designer: Collective Design
Location: Keystone, Colorado
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners sought a clean, modern design with low-maintenance materials and a strong indoor-outdoor connection, avoiding dark, rustic elements,” designer Adrienne Rynes says. “They wanted a kitchen that embraced sleek lines and light finishes to reflect their mountain modern aesthetic.”
Wood cabinets. “We chose rift-cut white oak veneer for the cabinetry, with a clear coat for the perimeter cabinets and an ebony stain for the island,” Rynes says. “The natural grain added warmth, complementing the sleek quartzite countertops and maintaining the low-maintenance goal.”
Other special features. Honed white quartzite countertops. Creamy white ceramic backsplash tile made in Spain. Custom lighting.
Designer tip. “Incorporate open shelving with accent lighting to create visual depth and a showcase for natural elements,” Rynes says.
Backsplash: Flash in white from Arizona Tile; cabinets: custom, Cutting Edge Woodworking; island lighting: custom, Tech Lighting via Ultra Design Center
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Designer: Collective Design
Location: Keystone, Colorado
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners sought a clean, modern design with low-maintenance materials and a strong indoor-outdoor connection, avoiding dark, rustic elements,” designer Adrienne Rynes says. “They wanted a kitchen that embraced sleek lines and light finishes to reflect their mountain modern aesthetic.”
Wood cabinets. “We chose rift-cut white oak veneer for the cabinetry, with a clear coat for the perimeter cabinets and an ebony stain for the island,” Rynes says. “The natural grain added warmth, complementing the sleek quartzite countertops and maintaining the low-maintenance goal.”
Other special features. Honed white quartzite countertops. Creamy white ceramic backsplash tile made in Spain. Custom lighting.
Designer tip. “Incorporate open shelving with accent lighting to create visual depth and a showcase for natural elements,” Rynes says.
Backsplash: Flash in white from Arizona Tile; cabinets: custom, Cutting Edge Woodworking; island lighting: custom, Tech Lighting via Ultra Design Center
15 Ways to Kick Your Kitchen Island Up a Notch
5. Rift-Sawn White Oak
Designer: Kelsey McGregor of Kelsey Leigh Design
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Homeowners’ request. “This house is situated right on the water, so we wanted to make sure it felt in line with looking like a beach home without feeling overly theme-y,” designer Kelsey McGregor says.
Wood cabinets. “We decided to go all rift-sawn white oak cabinetry here,” McGregor says. “Knowing that there was going to be limited upper cabinetry, especially on the focal range wall, we knew it wouldn’t feel too heavy. So we decided to go all wood with the cabinetry, knowing that the white walls would break it up and then it would create interest and warmth in the space.”
Other special features. “We didn’t want to use predictable blues and sea colors as the project’s color palette, but instead chose warm wood tones and the marble backsplash to introduce those ocean colors,” McGregor says. “I love the pairing of warm and cool tones in a space. The warm wood helps warm the cool of the marble and gray countertops and gray bar stools and gives the room a beautiful balance. The island countertop is made to look like cement, which pairs well with the textural bar stools, and the statement marble that was used on the perimeter countertop and backsplash has so much movement in its veining.”
Designer tip. “Get creative with storage,” McGregor says. “We want to make the kitchen cabinetry a little less predictable than just uppers and lowers. I like to eliminate upper cabinetry, and instead opted for counter-to-ceiling-height cabinets here on the range wall, giving it a breathier statement. Other creative storage ideas are adding open storage to the island or adding a marble shelf like the one here flanking the hood.”
Wall paint: Greek Villa, Sherwin-Williams
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Designer: Kelsey McGregor of Kelsey Leigh Design
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Homeowners’ request. “This house is situated right on the water, so we wanted to make sure it felt in line with looking like a beach home without feeling overly theme-y,” designer Kelsey McGregor says.
Wood cabinets. “We decided to go all rift-sawn white oak cabinetry here,” McGregor says. “Knowing that there was going to be limited upper cabinetry, especially on the focal range wall, we knew it wouldn’t feel too heavy. So we decided to go all wood with the cabinetry, knowing that the white walls would break it up and then it would create interest and warmth in the space.”
Other special features. “We didn’t want to use predictable blues and sea colors as the project’s color palette, but instead chose warm wood tones and the marble backsplash to introduce those ocean colors,” McGregor says. “I love the pairing of warm and cool tones in a space. The warm wood helps warm the cool of the marble and gray countertops and gray bar stools and gives the room a beautiful balance. The island countertop is made to look like cement, which pairs well with the textural bar stools, and the statement marble that was used on the perimeter countertop and backsplash has so much movement in its veining.”
Designer tip. “Get creative with storage,” McGregor says. “We want to make the kitchen cabinetry a little less predictable than just uppers and lowers. I like to eliminate upper cabinetry, and instead opted for counter-to-ceiling-height cabinets here on the range wall, giving it a breathier statement. Other creative storage ideas are adding open storage to the island or adding a marble shelf like the one here flanking the hood.”
Wall paint: Greek Villa, Sherwin-Williams
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for your kitchen
Designer: Jennifer Wundrow Interior Design
Location: Larkspur, California
Homeowners’ request. “The original kitchen was quite dated,” says designer Jennifer Wundrow, whose clients found her through Houzz. “It was closed off from the rest of the house and did not function well for our clients, a young, active couple expecting their first baby. Our clients lived in the house prior to jumping into this remodel and quickly discovered that this small space was not going to work for them. We felt that by opening up the walls, the kitchen could feel much more connected to the main living space, which felt imperative to raising children in this house.”
Wood cabinets. “The original kitchen actually had wood cabinets, though quite dated,” Wundrow says. “We wanted to maintain the original design intent of the house while giving it a much-needed update. We designed the kitchen to have stained oak flat-panel lower cabinets, with upper cabinets and a reeded hood surround painted in a creamy white. Our clients love natural stone, so we were able to bring in Paonazzetto polished marble slabs for the countertops, which add to the warmth, depth and interest of this space.”
Other special features. Engineered European oak flooring.
Designer tip. “We used a split finish on the cabinetry in the kitchen to aid in making the very low ceiling feel taller,” Wundrow says. “By painting the upper cabinets and the ceiling the same color, it creates an illusion that the space is larger than it is.”
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