Black and wood may not seem like a likely pair, but this kitchen design begs to differ. The black countertops and handles pair perfectly with the natural wood kitchen cabinets and butcher block island for a modern and inviting look. Make sure to use light elements, such as white walls and upper cabinets, to prevent the room from appearing overly dark.
24 Charming Natural Wood Kitchen Cabinets Designs
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Published: May 21, 2024
Updated: July 30, 2024
In an age when painted cabinets seem to be all the rage and images of brightly colored cabinetry flood our social media accounts, it’s time to take another look at a more classic style. Natural wood kitchen cabinets are making a comeback! This traditional look is timeless and elegant and requires much less work than stripping, sanding, and painting your cabinet doors with every changing trend.
There are so many different wood tones you can choose from to help you achieve your ideal kitchen design, and each one plays perfectly with a different aesthetic. Darker walnut wood is ideal for a contemporary style, especially when you select a flat panel cabinet door sans hardware. Lighter wood tones and white walls help infuse an airy brightness into your home, which pairs wonderfully with natural light and a farmhouse-style interior.
Finding your customized look has never been easier or simpler, and we’re here to help guide you with our gallery of natural wood kitchen cabinets. Check out these inspiring designs we’ve gathered for you here, and start dreaming!
02 of Classic Kitchen Design With Contemporary Gold Fixtures
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Wood and white may be classic, but their timeless look will mean an enduring design that looks fresh for years. If you want to make your kitchen feel more contemporary, try using gold hardware and fixtures for a modern look. A white shiplap ceiling and wood floors give so much rich character to your home, no matter what year it was built.
03 of Classic Dark Wood Cabinets With Modern Black Island
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Dark wood cabinets may seem classic, but it’s also relatively easy to update this look to keep up with current trends. For example, paint your hood vent and island a matching shade of black for a modern update. With all those dark elements, choose a lighter tile backsplash and countertop to help introduce lighter elements into the space.
04 of Cottage-Syle Kitchen With Wood Tones
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Cottage-inspired interiors are making a strong comeback, and wood cabinets go a long way in helping you achieve this look. In this kitchen, the matching wood tones of the cabinets, island, and floors blend together for a cozy and warm aesthetic that is elevated by adding a collection of wicker baskets that accessorize the space above the cabinetry. When trying a achieve a similar look, I recommend finding vintage accent pieces to help carry the look throughout the entire design.
05 of Vintage Hutch in Farmhouse Kitchen
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There’s nothing like a statement piece to bring your dining room design together, and this hutch is no exception. With a vintage wood stain and white dishes artfully arranged across its shelves, it will surely capture your attention as soon as you enter the room. Combine eye-capturing furniture with antique details, such as a fanlight and soapstone island, and you have the ideal farmhouse kitchen of your dreams.
06 of Natural Light in Country Kitchen
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Even small spaces can benefit from wood cabinets, but it’s important to balance out the look to prevent it from appearing too overwhelming. This cute country kitchen achieves this harmony by featuring white countertops, floors, and a classic subway tile backsplash. The natural sunlight from a nearby window imbues the room with freshness that artificial lights can’t achieve.
07 of Wood and Marble Kitchen Island
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I adore butcher block countertops, but I must admit I often wonder about their durability with water and liquids. This designer came up with the perfect solution by inlaying this stunning wood island with a marble counter inset and adding a bit of glamour with a gold faucet. The combination of gold, white, and wood is a sumptuous blend of modern and farmhouse elements.
08 of Dark Cabinetry With Modern Upgrades
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Darker wood tones are a classic design choice but tend to look dated as tastes have changed in recent years. If a full cabinetry upgrade is out of the budget (which it definitely is for me!), I suggest adding a few lighter and more modern elements to help make the space feel more current. The stainless steel fridge and double ovens are a great start, as is the texture white tile backsplash in this kitchen.
09 of Modern Farmhouse Vibe With Black Accents
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Custom wood cabinets are one of the easiest ways to make your kitchen look elegant and sumptuous, especially when paired with black hardware and details to give your home a modern farmhouse aesthetic. I’m always a fan of lightening darker wood tones with white walls, countertops, and backsplashes to brighten the space. I also recommend selecting stainless steel appliances for a more contemporary design.
10 of Dish Counter With Simple Accessories
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I can imagine enjoying dish duty when stationed at this classic counter featuring granite countertops and wood cabinetry. Especially when designing a heavily used space, I usually try to pair back on my decor to avoid feeling too cluttered. Floating shelves and simple accessories meld together into a finished look without seeming overfilled.
11 of Elegant Kitchen With a View
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I believe that the scene from the kitchen sink should captivate and distract you from the task at hand. The view into this living room strikes the right chord, with a brick fireplace, cozy seating, and beautifully decorated shelves capturing your attention as you wash up after dinner. Add in the large brass statement lights, elegant quartz countertops, and classic wood cabinets, and everyone will be volunteering for dish duty!
12 of Natural Wood and White Kitchen Cabinetry
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Lighter wood tones are classic in a farmhouse design, as are shades of white for a bright, clean look. If you can’t decide between the two, try natural wood on the bottom cabinetry and white above to mix them together. The farmhouse style often uses black light fixtures, hardware, and detailing to provide a strong contrast that really brings the room together.
13 of Flat Panel Scandinavian-Style Kitchen
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If your heart’s desire is a modern kitchen with clean lines and simple details, look no further than flat panel cabinetry with oversized hardware. The look is classic Scandinavian, especially when focusing on light wood features and natural accents. Stainless steel is an excellent choice for a contemporary kitchen design.
14 of Wood and White in Vaulted Kitchen
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Wood and white are classic and enduring, and help mix the best of two worlds in one space. Darker cabinetry below is vital for a grounded appearance, while white upper cabinets help the room feel larger, even with the vaulted ceiling above. Even better, the island is a mix of both elements as well, adding to the overall appeal of the room’s design.
15 of Contemporary Flat-Panel Cabinetry
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Choosing a dark walnut wood for your cabinetry can instantly add an upscale and modern twist to your kitchen design. I love how the darker wood tones contrast dramatically with the white quartz waterfall island and slate blue cabinetry in this elegant home, especially with the sleek, flat-panel design without hardware. The overall look is contemporary, luxurious, and custom and will have everyone admiring your stylish interiors.
16 of Vintage Kitchen With Arabesque Tile
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Subway tile is classic, but it can feel boring and overused, especially when we see it in almost every home. Thankfully, you can find affordable alternatives, like this pretty arabesque pattern that adds texture and movement while still providing a subtle backdrop. If your room feels dated, my best advice is to integrate that design with your decor to make it seem more purposeful and less scattered.
17 of Balance Wood Tones With Black Accessories
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Gleaming hardwood floors and matching cabinets in this spacious kitchen permeate the room with warmth and coziness, perfect for family gatherings. I know my family would love to crowd around the large island in the center of the room or enjoy a game night at the large dining table, especially when snacks are involved! To balance out the wood tones, this homeowner wisely chose black countertops and chairs to give a darker contrast and a more updated style.
18 of Sophisticated Scandinavian Kitchen Design
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Flat panel cabinets are an excellent choice if your style leans more contemporary and Scandinavian. The look is sleek and clean, especially when you omit hardware. The mixture of dark wood cabinets and white quartz countertops in this kitchen blends elegance with modern sophistication, and I particularly like the cozy coffee bar tucked into the corner of the room.
19 of Vintage Cabinetry With Bright White Walls
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Older homes have so much charm that is almost impossible to replicate. I always prefer to leave as much of the original detailing as possible, as it’s so difficult to bring back once it’s gone. The glass-fronted cabinets introduce old-world charm with modern adaptations, as do the antique finds displays along the top of the feud chain. Bright white walls help give this kitchen a clean, fresh appearance.
20 of Neutral Wood-Toned Kitchen Inspiration
Choosing light natural wood kitchen cabinets quickly helps lighten any space, particularly when you balance the wood tones with white upper cabinetry and a full wall backsplash of herringbone tile. This homeowner carries the wood-look through the space with a farmhouse-style table and bench, with black accents for a hint of contrast. Even the floors feature a light tile, infusing the entire room with a light and airy feel.
21 of Mixing Old and New With a Wooden Island
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It’s all too easy to start adding wood touches and not quite know where to stop. Thankfully, you can narrow your focus to the island while keeping the rest of your cabinets bright white and pristine. Mix together modern and vintage pieces for a look that is truly one-of-a-kind and are perfect for nightly gatherings as a family.
22 of Classic Touches in Charming Kitchen
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We don’t often see wood trim in newer homes, so this look gives this charming kitchen so much character. The matching natural wood cabinets with ceramic pulls amplify this classic look, as does the gleaming polished nickel faucet. Small touches really go far in achieving your dream kitchen!
23 of Matching Wood Cabinetry and Countertops
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If you’re anything like me and really, really love using wood in your home design, you’re guaranteed to love this kitchen design. Not only are the cabinets made out of flat-panel wood, but this look also flows through the backsplash and countertops. This look could quickly turn into a rustic cabin vibe if it weren’t for the white cabinetry and modern appliances that give the space a younger vibe.
24 of Light Wood Cabinets and a White Herringbone Backsplash
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Modern, light wood cabinets are installed above a white herringbone kitchen backsplash. A white countertop sits on the modern white cabinet. A black faucet hangs over dirty dishes.
