What comes to mind when you think ‘modern kitchen’? No doubt you’re picturing sleek countertops and shiny metallic appliances. However, modern doesn’t have to just mean industrial and even a gadget-loving cook can’t resist the charm of a wooden kitchen.
If you’re feeling tempted by timber and want to get the most out of your kitchen makeover, consider these top tips from our designers…
How much wood do you want to use?
The good news is wood is an incredibly versatile material that can be used throughout your kitchen, and one of your biggest decisions will be where you want it to feature.
Common timber features include…
- Wooden floors
- Cabinets
- Countertops
- Wooden beams
- Timber furniture
- Wooden window frames
Perhaps you want just a little or perhaps you want to invest in the lot. Either way, it’s worthwhile mapping out your intentions early on. This should help you when it comes to making other key decisions about your design, such as what colour palette you intend to use.
For instance, if you plan on using a lot of wood, it’ll look better if there’s some contrast of colours. This could mean you go for various shades of timber (a walnut paired with ash) or that you paint some of your wooden surfaces, such as your cabinets.
If painting if the way you want to go, these colours typically work very well with timber…
- Whites and creams
- Greys
- Greens
- Light blue
- Turquoise
- Orange
Textures
The texture of your timber isn’t just something nice to look at - though it does look very beautiful.
Texture also helps to disguise all manner of sins. Whereas white surfaces will show up every bit of grim and dent, wood is much more forgiving. Consider how much mess is created in the kitchen, having a little cover for your home blemishes might not be the worst thing.
For this reason, if keeping things spotless isn’t your thing, we recommend you consider either a wooden floor or wooden countertops. For extra coverage, choose a wood with plenty of grain and opt for darker shades.
Save money and reclaim
Are you an eco-warrior? If so, you might be drawn to timber for its green credentials (providing it comes from a sustainable supplier, of course). However, if you want to save money too, then you’re in luck! Using reclaimed wood has never been more popular, and going secondhand is a great way to save those pennies.
Our top tips for using reclaimed wood…
Don’t just look in the kitchen aisle, there’s loads of wooden furniture which can be upcycled. A common project you see is old desks and tables finding new life as countertops.
Oak is one of the best timbers to recycle as it was grown to be much more durable in the past, meaning the oak you see nowadays is weaker than its vintage counterparts.
Oak also has the benefit of needing minimal varnishing, perfect for anyone after that rustic look. Over time, the wood will develop an pleasant sheen. Just be prepared for some marks to appear along the way too.
Reclaimed wood might be closer than you think! During the construction process, your builder may have some timber to spare, either from scaffolding or timber pallets. If you know a good carpenter / have some woodworking skills of your own, it might be worthwhile giving these materials a new home.
Wooden accents
You don’t need to go big to get the rustic look. In fact, wood can be incorporated into plenty of small spaces to bring character into your new kitchen design. What’s more, this is a cheap way of bringing new life into the space.
If you want to sneak some timber into your home, consider adding some wooden accents, such as…
- Tables
- Chairs
- Door handles
- Shelving
- Picture frames
- Pots for plants and herbs
- Displays of wooden bowls and utensils
Get creative and remember that a little can go a long way!
Consider all the options
Lastly, it pays to do your research. After all, renovating any part of your home can be a big project, especially if you’re going for a full renovation or extension. Therefore, if wood is for you, you’ll want to probably map out which kind of timber will be best for your space.
Common types of timber found in the kitchen are…
Mahogany
Pros: highly durable and needs little maintenance.
Cons: expensive and can be hard to source.
Pine
Pros: one of the most popular choices and budget friendly.
Cons: cheap items often don’t stand the test of time.
Oak
Pros: durable and highly popular, people love it for its attractive natural texture.
Cons: lightly treated oak can suffer from marks over time.
Maple / cherry
Pros: perfect for anyone looking for a stained, varnished look.
Cons: can be expensive.
While searching for your perfect material, these are the timbers you’ll most likely encounter in the kitchen department. However, there are plenty of other varieties out there so don’t be afraid to explore the market! For instance, a popular new kid on the block is bamboo, which many love for both its colour and sustainability.
Conclusion
Wood is a versatile material that can be incorporated into a number of modern kitchen designs. If you’re considering it for your home, remember these tips from our team…
- Work out early on where you want timber to feature
- Texture not only adds character, but it can also help in the cleaning department
- Going second-hand and reclaiming is good for both the planet and your budget
- You don’t need to rip out your whole kitchen to get the desired effect
- Take the time to consider which type of wood is best for your home
Need more advice on improving your home? Don’t forget, our consultants are always on hand to help you unlock your property’s potential. Book your FREE consultation here.
