Kitchen Inspiration: 16 Timber Kitchens to Inspire You
If crisp white kitchens aren't your thing, check out these captivating timber designs and you’ll see why wood might be the way to go
Over the past several years, one colour has completely dominated kitchen design: white. Sure, this go-to tone is clean, timeless and versatile, but sometimes cooking zones that are all (or even mostly) white can look lifeless and lacking in character. This year, however, designers are steering clear of the stark shade in favour of the natural look and warmth of timber kitchens, or spaces designed with timber veneers or laminates that look (and, in some cases, feel) just like the real thing.
Prepare to be inspired by these 16 timber culinary zones, which will give you a taste of the many ways wood can bring dream kitchen designs to life.
Prepare to be inspired by these 16 timber culinary zones, which will give you a taste of the many ways wood can bring dream kitchen designs to life.
2. Pattern play
Don’t be afraid to throw different motifs into the mix. Here, the strong, structured lines of the checkered splashback and herringbone tiled floor balance the natural beauty of the wood grain cabinetry and marble benchtop, resulting in a space with loads of visual appeal.
Check out the rest of this home
Don’t be afraid to throw different motifs into the mix. Here, the strong, structured lines of the checkered splashback and herringbone tiled floor balance the natural beauty of the wood grain cabinetry and marble benchtop, resulting in a space with loads of visual appeal.
Check out the rest of this home
3. Soft shades
If you like the light, airy look of an all-white kitchen but are tempted by the textured finish of timber, choose wood cabinetry that’s bordering on a soft beige or ‘griege’ – that way, you can have the best of both worlds.
If you like the light, airy look of an all-white kitchen but are tempted by the textured finish of timber, choose wood cabinetry that’s bordering on a soft beige or ‘griege’ – that way, you can have the best of both worlds.
4. Modern mix
Create a space that’s truly unique by combining different styles. In this room, the island’s wainscot panels, decorative legs and untouched appearance exude old-world charm, while the minimalist wall cabinetry, metallic tile splashback and stainless-steel appliances bring the rustic kitchen into the now.
Create a space that’s truly unique by combining different styles. In this room, the island’s wainscot panels, decorative legs and untouched appearance exude old-world charm, while the minimalist wall cabinetry, metallic tile splashback and stainless-steel appliances bring the rustic kitchen into the now.
5. Shelf life
Worried your timber kitchen will look too, well, woody? Break up the large flat surfaces of the neutral scheme by incorporating open shelves and cabinets into the design.
See how to syle your open kitchen shelving like a pro
Worried your timber kitchen will look too, well, woody? Break up the large flat surfaces of the neutral scheme by incorporating open shelves and cabinets into the design.
See how to syle your open kitchen shelving like a pro
6. Splash of colour
Add personality and a slick of colour to your timber cooking space, with a bold splashback in a look-at-me hue. If you’re feeling particularly daring, find paint in a similar shade so you can coat the rest of your walls, too.
Add personality and a slick of colour to your timber cooking space, with a bold splashback in a look-at-me hue. If you’re feeling particularly daring, find paint in a similar shade so you can coat the rest of your walls, too.
7. Smooth operator
Rounded cupboards and island benches can sometimes showcase unique wood grains in ways that flat kitchen surfaces can’t. Take this space, for example: the smooth curves of the island and pillar highlight the swirling grain pattern of the burled timber that surrounds both structures.
Rounded cupboards and island benches can sometimes showcase unique wood grains in ways that flat kitchen surfaces can’t. Take this space, for example: the smooth curves of the island and pillar highlight the swirling grain pattern of the burled timber that surrounds both structures.
8. Decadent style
Dark chocolate cabinetry can be a bit rich for some, but if you like decadent decor, deep timber tones may be the best choice for you. For an extra dose of glamour, add a mirrored splashback and metallic accents (note the copper kickboards, here) to the space.
Dark chocolate cabinetry can be a bit rich for some, but if you like decadent decor, deep timber tones may be the best choice for you. For an extra dose of glamour, add a mirrored splashback and metallic accents (note the copper kickboards, here) to the space.
9. Against the grain
Don’t limit yourself to using one type of wood or furniture stain in your kitchen. While creating a cohesive design with multiple timber tones and finishes can be difficult to pull off, the trick is to orient the grains so they run in the same direction (in this room they run horizontally). This will tie the look together and ensure the space doesn’t look too busy.
Don’t limit yourself to using one type of wood or furniture stain in your kitchen. While creating a cohesive design with multiple timber tones and finishes can be difficult to pull off, the trick is to orient the grains so they run in the same direction (in this room they run horizontally). This will tie the look together and ensure the space doesn’t look too busy.
10. Colour crush
Inject a splash of shocking (but stylish) colour into your timber kitchen with a row of bright cupboards or drawers. Here, matte orange overhead cabinets contrast beautifully with the dark neutral timber veneer island and bank of drawers.
Check out the rest of this home
Inject a splash of shocking (but stylish) colour into your timber kitchen with a row of bright cupboards or drawers. Here, matte orange overhead cabinets contrast beautifully with the dark neutral timber veneer island and bank of drawers.
Check out the rest of this home
11. Shining example
High-gloss timber laminate is an ideal solution if you want the look of natural wood grain but with a luxurious, polished finish. Laminates (and veneers, for that matter) are also an affordable alternative to solid timber, which is something to keep in mind if you’re working to a tight budget.
High-gloss timber laminate is an ideal solution if you want the look of natural wood grain but with a luxurious, polished finish. Laminates (and veneers, for that matter) are also an affordable alternative to solid timber, which is something to keep in mind if you’re working to a tight budget.
12. Grey matter
From moody charcoal to barely there greige, grey is the new ‘It’ tone in timber. Introduce colour, patterns or playful decor if your grey-tinted kitchen needs a warmer, more welcoming vibe.
From moody charcoal to barely there greige, grey is the new ‘It’ tone in timber. Introduce colour, patterns or playful decor if your grey-tinted kitchen needs a warmer, more welcoming vibe.
13. Slatted style
Like strong, linear patterns and rustic-inspired rooms? Then this wood-slat kitchen may pique your interest. If you’re thinking about replicating this look in your own home, here are some things to consider when deciding which direction the slats should run. Horizontal lines will give your cooking zone a relaxed, balanced feel and make it appear more spacious, while vertical slats will draw the eye up and create the illusion of height.
Like strong, linear patterns and rustic-inspired rooms? Then this wood-slat kitchen may pique your interest. If you’re thinking about replicating this look in your own home, here are some things to consider when deciding which direction the slats should run. Horizontal lines will give your cooking zone a relaxed, balanced feel and make it appear more spacious, while vertical slats will draw the eye up and create the illusion of height.
14. Cool contrast
It’s no wonder wood and white are often paired together in the kitchen – they just work so well as a design duo. And it’s not just snowy benchtops, splashbacks and walls that we’re seeing in timber cooking zones this year; gloss-white appliances, from ovens to range hoods, are becoming more popular, too.
Here’s how you can use white in your kitchen
It’s no wonder wood and white are often paired together in the kitchen – they just work so well as a design duo. And it’s not just snowy benchtops, splashbacks and walls that we’re seeing in timber cooking zones this year; gloss-white appliances, from ovens to range hoods, are becoming more popular, too.
Here’s how you can use white in your kitchen
15. Concrete jungle
Don’t be too quick to disregard concrete when choosing materials for your new kitchen, especially if timber is at the heart of the design. Here, a winning combo of wood ceiling panels, high-gloss timber-look cabinets, and durable concrete benchtops and flooring, result in a cool and inviting Industrial-style space that offers form and function in equal measure.
See if concrete benchtops are right for your kitchen
Don’t be too quick to disregard concrete when choosing materials for your new kitchen, especially if timber is at the heart of the design. Here, a winning combo of wood ceiling panels, high-gloss timber-look cabinets, and durable concrete benchtops and flooring, result in a cool and inviting Industrial-style space that offers form and function in equal measure.
See if concrete benchtops are right for your kitchen
16. Ink stains
Give your timber cabinets a custom look by staining them in an unexpected hue. This technique is a smart idea if you want the grain and texture of your cupboards to be visible through the colour, and not hidden behind layers of paint. Inky black is a great choice if you want to give your kitchen a classic monochrome makeover, like the space shown here.
SHARE YOUR SPACE
Do you have an inspiring timber kitchen? Please share your high-resolution photos in the comments section below.
Give your timber cabinets a custom look by staining them in an unexpected hue. This technique is a smart idea if you want the grain and texture of your cupboards to be visible through the colour, and not hidden behind layers of paint. Inky black is a great choice if you want to give your kitchen a classic monochrome makeover, like the space shown here.
SHARE YOUR SPACE
Do you have an inspiring timber kitchen? Please share your high-resolution photos in the comments section below.
Timber paired with pops of red was a recurring theme at EuroCucina 2014, the world’s largest kitchen furniture expo. With scarlet-toned bar stools and alphabet art, this welcoming walnut space shows how it’s done.