5 New Kitchens With Wood Cabinets
See how designers play with various wood species, stains and cabinet styles to create spaces full of warmth
A warm and welcoming kitchen is a goal of many homeowners. One of the most reliable ways to achieve that is with wood cabinets. Various species and stains can deliver different looks and feels. Here, designers share the wood cabinets and other details they selected to create five inviting kitchens.
2. Rich Walnut
Design team: Holly Moore, Stacey Miller and Matt McQueen of Lifetime Remodeling Systems
Location: Sherwood, Oregon
Homeowners’ request. “The clients love to cook and entertain friends and family,” designer Holly Moore says. “They wanted to open the space, where they could all gather around the dining room and kitchen. They wanted to be able to connect to the inside and outside. We presented options for the addition, showcasing designs that married simplicity with elegance. It was important for the homeowners to embrace the home’s existing curves.”
Wood cabinets. Walnut.
Other special features. “We crafted the addition with a stunning barrel ceiling adorned with rich walnut wood paneling and accent lighting, creating an inviting atmosphere,” Moore says. “After careful consideration, the clients chose the more intricate design, perfectly complementing their home’s aesthetic. To elevate the space, we added a round window and an arched window in the kitchen, enhancing its character.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The main challenge we faced was creating the barrel ceiling to match our vision and the cabinets,” Moore says. “We needed to find a material that not only looked good but was also flexible enough to fit the curve of the ceiling. We eventually found a walnut wood veneer that met both criteria. Once the wood was installed, we had to determine the best way to light it to showcase the barrel’s beauty. Our initial attempt involved placing the lighting along the arch, but it didn’t produce the desired effect. We then decided to reposition the lights to the ends of the barrel, which enhanced its aesthetics beautifully.”
Countertops and backsplash: Vigil in polished, Dekton by Cosentino; sink: Wave Front, Stone Forest
How to Create an Open-Plan Kitchen That Works
Design team: Holly Moore, Stacey Miller and Matt McQueen of Lifetime Remodeling Systems
Location: Sherwood, Oregon
Homeowners’ request. “The clients love to cook and entertain friends and family,” designer Holly Moore says. “They wanted to open the space, where they could all gather around the dining room and kitchen. They wanted to be able to connect to the inside and outside. We presented options for the addition, showcasing designs that married simplicity with elegance. It was important for the homeowners to embrace the home’s existing curves.”
Wood cabinets. Walnut.
Other special features. “We crafted the addition with a stunning barrel ceiling adorned with rich walnut wood paneling and accent lighting, creating an inviting atmosphere,” Moore says. “After careful consideration, the clients chose the more intricate design, perfectly complementing their home’s aesthetic. To elevate the space, we added a round window and an arched window in the kitchen, enhancing its character.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The main challenge we faced was creating the barrel ceiling to match our vision and the cabinets,” Moore says. “We needed to find a material that not only looked good but was also flexible enough to fit the curve of the ceiling. We eventually found a walnut wood veneer that met both criteria. Once the wood was installed, we had to determine the best way to light it to showcase the barrel’s beauty. Our initial attempt involved placing the lighting along the arch, but it didn’t produce the desired effect. We then decided to reposition the lights to the ends of the barrel, which enhanced its aesthetics beautifully.”
Countertops and backsplash: Vigil in polished, Dekton by Cosentino; sink: Wave Front, Stone Forest
How to Create an Open-Plan Kitchen That Works
3. Rustic Alder
Designer: Anne Grice and Whitney Norton of Anne Grice Interiors
Location: Snowmass Village, Colorado
Size: 130 square feet (12 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The kitchen was very dated and did not function well,” designer Anne Grice says. “They wanted a kitchen that a few people could be in at once.There was previously a long and underutilized peninsula that allowed only one way into the kitchen. By designing a freestanding island, it allowed better flow of traffic in and out of the kitchen.”
Wood cabinets. Alder. “The client wanted a mountain feel, and it had been agreed to keep the wood ceilings and to media blast them to freshen the look,” Grice says. “This rich alder wood we carried throughout on all of the doors, trim and some of the cabinetry. The light, warm-veined Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and stone mosaic backsplash give a soft contrast to the wood. The hammered copper hood added to the warm mountain vibe. ”
Other special features. “Everything had to be family- and rental-proof,” Grice says. “That led to the quartzite countertops, which is one of the most durable stones. The faux leather counter stool seats look real but are easy to maintain. The wool plaid on the comfy counter stools gives a sophisticated touch.”
Backsplash tile: Xanadu Falls in Calacatta Gold polished, Artistic Tile
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Designer: Anne Grice and Whitney Norton of Anne Grice Interiors
Location: Snowmass Village, Colorado
Size: 130 square feet (12 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The kitchen was very dated and did not function well,” designer Anne Grice says. “They wanted a kitchen that a few people could be in at once.There was previously a long and underutilized peninsula that allowed only one way into the kitchen. By designing a freestanding island, it allowed better flow of traffic in and out of the kitchen.”
Wood cabinets. Alder. “The client wanted a mountain feel, and it had been agreed to keep the wood ceilings and to media blast them to freshen the look,” Grice says. “This rich alder wood we carried throughout on all of the doors, trim and some of the cabinetry. The light, warm-veined Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and stone mosaic backsplash give a soft contrast to the wood. The hammered copper hood added to the warm mountain vibe. ”
Other special features. “Everything had to be family- and rental-proof,” Grice says. “That led to the quartzite countertops, which is one of the most durable stones. The faux leather counter stool seats look real but are easy to maintain. The wool plaid on the comfy counter stools gives a sophisticated touch.”
Backsplash tile: Xanadu Falls in Calacatta Gold polished, Artistic Tile
Shop for your kitchen
4. Sophisticated White Oak
Designers: Patrick and Meghan Sharp of Mister + Mrs Sharp
Builder: John Bynum
Location: Atlanta
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “Since it’s part of the open-concept living space, the kitchen needed to be both beautiful and highly functional for everyday use,” designer Patrick Sharp says. “We kept the foundation neutral for versatility, adding a pop of color through the counter stools to bring personality and warmth.”
Wood cabinets. White oak in a medium brown stain. Flush doors with square profiles. Burnished brass hardware.
Other special features. Marble-look quartz countertops and range backsplash. Glazed white terra-cotta backsplash tiles. Double gooseneck spout faucet in burnished brass. “On the left, an extra wood seating section adds an unexpected touch of luxury,” Sharp says. “An inviting spot to enjoy breakfast in a beautifully designed setting.”
Designer tip. “A panel-ready refrigerator blends seamlessly into the cabinetry, keeping appliances discreet and ensuring the kitchen feels like a natural extension of the living space,” Sharp says.
Wall and ceiling paint: White Flour, Sherwin-Williams
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Designers: Patrick and Meghan Sharp of Mister + Mrs Sharp
Builder: John Bynum
Location: Atlanta
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “Since it’s part of the open-concept living space, the kitchen needed to be both beautiful and highly functional for everyday use,” designer Patrick Sharp says. “We kept the foundation neutral for versatility, adding a pop of color through the counter stools to bring personality and warmth.”
Wood cabinets. White oak in a medium brown stain. Flush doors with square profiles. Burnished brass hardware.
Other special features. Marble-look quartz countertops and range backsplash. Glazed white terra-cotta backsplash tiles. Double gooseneck spout faucet in burnished brass. “On the left, an extra wood seating section adds an unexpected touch of luxury,” Sharp says. “An inviting spot to enjoy breakfast in a beautifully designed setting.”
Designer tip. “A panel-ready refrigerator blends seamlessly into the cabinetry, keeping appliances discreet and ensuring the kitchen feels like a natural extension of the living space,” Sharp says.
Wall and ceiling paint: White Flour, Sherwin-Williams
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
5. Moody Maple
Designer: Lisa Shearer of Shearer Designs
Furniture and custom lighting: Lesa Peers Design
Location: Park City, Utah
Size: 576 square feet (54 square meters); 24 by 24 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The kitchen was part of a new home build,” designer Lisa Shearer says. “The overall vision for the home was incorporating all of the clients’ collections of artwork and glass art decor pieces. The clients are professionals and were retiring, and this kitchen was to be their place to cook for family and guests and entertainment, so it needed to have all the functions of size, appliances and plenty of counter space to accommodate food and beverages.”
Wood cabinets. Maple flat-panel in a dark walnut stain. “Because the space was so large, the darker color on the cabinets grounded the room and made it more of a warm and cozy feel to the contrast of the white Sherwin-Williams Alabaster eggshell painted walls,” Shearer says. “The home was a modern mountain theme, so in keeping with this, we made the cabinet fronts a flat panel and flat crown molding detail.”
Other special features. Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and backsplash. “The island has a waterfall edge that is 3 inches mitered to give a weight to the island to ground it in the room,” Shearer says. “The beautiful movement in this natural stone really finishes the kitchen. We intentionally left open space on the left and right of the hood to give the feeling of openness and to highlight the beautiful Taj Mahal.”
Designer tip. “Make sure all appliance locations and cabinet locations are decided before you start the project,” Shearer says. “This helps in laying out where water lines, gas lines and what electrical rough-ins are needed, so when it’s time to install these items, they are in the right location and no adjustments need to be made.”
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Designer: Lisa Shearer of Shearer Designs
Furniture and custom lighting: Lesa Peers Design
Location: Park City, Utah
Size: 576 square feet (54 square meters); 24 by 24 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The kitchen was part of a new home build,” designer Lisa Shearer says. “The overall vision for the home was incorporating all of the clients’ collections of artwork and glass art decor pieces. The clients are professionals and were retiring, and this kitchen was to be their place to cook for family and guests and entertainment, so it needed to have all the functions of size, appliances and plenty of counter space to accommodate food and beverages.”
Wood cabinets. Maple flat-panel in a dark walnut stain. “Because the space was so large, the darker color on the cabinets grounded the room and made it more of a warm and cozy feel to the contrast of the white Sherwin-Williams Alabaster eggshell painted walls,” Shearer says. “The home was a modern mountain theme, so in keeping with this, we made the cabinet fronts a flat panel and flat crown molding detail.”
Other special features. Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and backsplash. “The island has a waterfall edge that is 3 inches mitered to give a weight to the island to ground it in the room,” Shearer says. “The beautiful movement in this natural stone really finishes the kitchen. We intentionally left open space on the left and right of the hood to give the feeling of openness and to highlight the beautiful Taj Mahal.”
Designer tip. “Make sure all appliance locations and cabinet locations are decided before you start the project,” Shearer says. “This helps in laying out where water lines, gas lines and what electrical rough-ins are needed, so when it’s time to install these items, they are in the right location and no adjustments need to be made.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for your kitchen
Designer: Carlos Nyce of TriVistaUSA Design + Build
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Size: 168 square feet (16 square meters); 11 feet, 8 inches by 14 feet, 5 inches
Homeowners’ request. “The client came to us seeking to improve their home layout, with one of the main goals being to enhance the flow for better entertainment space,” designer Carlos Nyce says. “They desired an open, functional kitchen layout, but the existing space didn’t allow for that. As part of our architectural design proposal, we suggested relocating the kitchen to the opposite side of the house, where more space was available. This change allowed us to reconfigure the kitchen, adding a highly functional island and additional storage. The client’s aesthetic preferences leaned toward clean lines, bright, warm wood tones, with touches of industrial style and a bit of glam.”
Wood cabinets. Natural maple wood cabinets in a matte finish. “They wanted their kitchen to feel bright, warm and cozy, while also introducing some industrial elements for contrast,” Nyce says. “We worked with the concept of using a lighter tone around the perimeter, paired with darker accents on the island, hardware and other details. The house facade featured black-painted brick, and [the homeowners] were keen on incorporating this dark color into the interior details. By integrating natural maple matte wood cabinets along the perimeter with a white brick-look tile backsplash, we achieved the perfect balance of cozy and industrial. The island, painted in Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black, stands out against the lighter backdrop and provides just the right amount of darkness they were looking for.”
Other special features. Marble-look quartz countertops.
Designer tip. “Balance is key,” Nyce says. “To achieve the perfect look, you first need a clear reference for where you want your design to go. If you’re blending multiple styles, the key is always balance — incorporating textures, colors, materials and elements in the right proportions so the space feels harmonious.”
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