A wooden kitchen is a timeless design choice that we have used for hundreds of years.
Not only is wood incredibly durable making it the ideal material for cabinetry, but woods like oak and maple look better with age due to the exposure to UV and oxygen.
In addition, ethically sourced wood is incredibly sustainable as it is renewable, recyclable, and has a relatively small carbon footprint. Its strength and durability also means that your real wood kitchen will stand the test of time and won’t need to be replaced for some decades if cared for correctly.
As wood materials require felling trees, it is essential that your wood comes from a sustainable source which is certified by forest management organisations like the FSC who prioritise replanting trees to prevent deforestation.
What style can a wooden kitchen be?
With the rise of contemporary design, a wooden kitchen has been perceived as too traditional and only suitable for those wanting a rustic look, but we disagree.
Wood is an incredibly versatile material and can be used to create a myriad of designs ranging from traditional to modern. Because of its versatility, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in people wanting wooden kitchens.
From traditional farmhouse style kitchens to Japandi, plywood, Scandi, and more; we’ve listed our favourite wooden kitchen projects designed by us to inspire you.
Wooden Kitchen Ideas
1. Plywood Kitchen
Birch plywood has become an increasingly popular choice in contemporary kitchen design.
As well as its durability, Plywood cabinets have a beautifully natural finish which brings a rawness to any space. But if you prefer a pop of colour, plywood can easily be painted to achieve your desired look.
When designing our Bedminster Plywood Kitchen project, our client opted for plywood cabinets with exposed edges to complement the pink concrete flooring and white Durat and Terrazzo worktops.
2. Japandi design
Japandi is a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian interior design. At its core, Japandi is all about utilising organic and natural materials to create a calming yet functional space, as well as showcasing craftsmanship. Wood plays a huge role in creating Japandi’s signature design, particularly in kitchen design.
In our Japandi Kitchen project, we let the oak take centre stage to create a warming and peaceful environment. Opting for a light wood helps to maximise natural lighting making the space bright and airy.
This minimalist design concept has taken off and is quickly certifying itself as a timeless trend.
3. Reclaimed wood
Although new wood is recognised as a sustainable material, reclaimed wood is one of the most environmentally positive materials as it repurposes old wood, preventing it from being sent to landfill.
Reclaimed wood is a popular kitchen material choice thanks to its durability and unique charm – no two pieces are the same! Whether you want to achieve a rustic style kitchen or looking for something more industrial, repurposed wood is bursting with character and can help to bring any style of kitchen to life.
Our Industrial Reclaimed Wood Kitchen project lets the repurposed wood flow throughout the space, growing into the boot room, lounge and study.
4. Scandinavian
Similar to Japandi, Scandinavian kitchens celebrate minimalism and use natural materials to soften the space to create a calming environment.
Inspired by the Danish practice ‘Hygge’, which means to bring calm and contentment to your life, a Scandi kitchen is the perfect design choice for those wanting a soothing space where they can escape the daily stresses of life.
When creating our Scandinavian Kitchen London project, we paired European Oak cabinets with white worktops to channel the cool and calming Nordic aesthetic.
5. Wooden Island
If you want to add a touch of wooden features without going all the way with wooden cabinets, a wooden island is the perfect compromise.
With plenty of options to choose from, you can really get creative with your kitchen island design whether it be large or small. You can things up by using a different material for the worktops or drawers, or you can go all the way and continue the use of wood through to the worktops.
Our Farmhouse Kitchen project centres around the large freestanding Ash island which offers plenty of additional storage, as well as extra worktop space and seating.
6. Rough Sawn Timber
Traditionally, wooden cabinets are made with a smooth finish, but opting for textured wood gives your kitchen a unique dimension
Rough sawn timber is a great textured material for cabinetry, its subtle ribbed finish creates a rustic and warming feel.
For our Rough Sawn Kitchen, the vertical timber panels elongate the cabinets helping to make the space appear larger.
7. Wood Veneer
Wood veneer gets a bad rep but we think this material is just as good as solid wood when paired with the right material. All of our wood veneer cabinets have a birch plywood core, ensuring the cabinets are durable and strong enough to withstand any busy kitchen.
Wood veneer is considered to be a sustainable option, less wood is needed in a project meaning fewer trees are needed to be cut down. In addition, opting for wood veneer cabinets can also help to bring down the cost of your project whilst still helping you achieve a beautiful wood finish. It also means that you can be playful with the design and mix up different veneers and finishes.
8. Mixed Materials
We get it, a kitchen made up entirely of wood isn’t to everyone’s tastes. Thankfully, wood pairs beautifully with a range of materials which can be the key to creating your dream kitchen without going overboard.
Materials such as stainless steel, marble, granite, and glass are all great choices which can be paired with a range of woods. We think choosing one to two additional materials to pair with wood is the perfect way to create a unique design without it looking too wild.
In the project shown above, we paired the rich reclaimed wood with steel worktops and a marble island and splashback, each complementing the other and adding lots of character.
9. Add a splash of colour
Who doesn’t love a splash of colour in their kitchen? From neutral shades to bold colours, adding colour to your wooden kitchen gives you a chance to flex your creative muscles and make the space truly unique to you.
When it comes to colourful kitchens, there are a couple of finishing routes you can go down. Painted cabinets are a popular choice for our clients and can be a quick and affordable way to add life to your existing cabinets. You may have more colour choices when painting, but just make sure you select a high-quality paint that is suitable for wood.
Coloured laminates are another go-to choice and offer a variety of finishes. It is also recognised for its durability and scratch resistance, making it an ideal outer material for kitchen cabinets.
Our Blue Plywood kitchen, as shown above, combines painted wooden doors with exposed plywood edges which subtly show off the wood detail whilst adding a pop of colour.
10. Douglas Fir Plywood
The beauty of wood is seeing the rich grain show through bringing life to your room. Douglas fir plywood is a wood that is bursting with character, it is naturally durable and strong which is why we love to use it for kitchen cabinets.
The tones and strong grain running throughout the wood add warmth to your kitchen.
In our Douglas Fir Plywood project, the kitchen follows a minimalist design allowing the statement cabinets to rightfully take centre stage.
11. Slatted wood
Vertical slatted wood is a prominent design feature that adds extra detail and texture and showcases genuine craftsmanship. Used through Japanese and Mid-Century design, slatted wood panels add a natural warmth and can be used on a large or small scale.
When it comes to kitchen design, wooden slats can used to create a feature wall or used sparingly to add subtle details.
Slatted wood panels were used in our Rectory Renovation as a unique feature under the kitchen island. The ash wood helps to break up the oak veneer cabinets adding another dimension.
