Natural Wood Kitchen Cabinets: Types + Ideas

By: Andrew Saladino | 9 min

Natural wood kitchen cabinets are forever in style, and it's easy to see why. They're durable, versatile, and complement every kitchen design, from industrial to farmhouse. While white and colored cabinets have taken the spotlight in recent years, natural wood's ability to transform a busy kitchen into a calming oasis is second to none.

If you're thinking about going au naturel for your next kitchen remodel, we've put together a guide to help you decide which type of wood cabinets is best for you and how to integrate them into your kitchen design.

What Are Natural Wood Kitchen Cabinets?

Natural wood cabinets are just as the name suggests - wood cabinets in their natural state, free from any paints or colored stains. These cabinets come in a variety of colors and styles, from rich cherry to golden birch. With these cabinets, the natural color and grain of the wood adds a warm, inviting look to any kitchen design.

Pros and Cons of Natural Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Natural wood cabinets have recently seen a resurgence in popularity, with rustic wood shaker cabinets and modern slab cabinets offering an organic alternative to painted cabinets. However, you should be aware of the pros and cons of natural wood cabinets before implementing them into your kitchen design.

Types of Natural Wood Cabinets

From trendy Mid-Century Modern to classic farmhouse kitchens, natural wood cabinets are a timeless staple for every kitchen design aesthetic. Of course, the type of wood you choose will largely depend on the look you're going for. Each type of natural wood cabinet also has its unique benefits and drawbacks, such as durability and price.

Cherry Wood Cabinets

With its deep red undertones and distinctive aging process, cherry wood cabinets have been popular among traditional kitchen designs for almost a century. This hardwood comes from the American black cherry tree and is known for its quality, moderately hard texture, strength, and impressive shock resistance, making it a great choice for kitchen cabinets. Keep in mind that cherry wood is softer than some other cabinet wood species, making it more susceptible to scratches and dents.

Cherry wood cabinets bring in a luxurious Old World element to contemporary and traditional kitchens alike. However, this type of wood costs about 15% to 25% more than you would pay for maple or oak. For a more cost-effective option that still gives you that sought-after rich cherry look, try ready-to-assemble (RTA) kitchen cabinets in maple, birch, or ash with a cherry-type finish.

Characteristics:

• Closed-grain wood with colors ranging from light white to light brown
• Known best for its distinct red hue
• Diverse grain patterns may include pin knots, curls, swirls, and gum streaks
• Easy to stain and refinish
• UV rays may cause wood to develop a lustrous patina over time

Maple Wood Cabinets

If you value versatility coupled with durability, maple kitchen cabinets are a great option you can enjoy for years to come. Because of its smooth, fine wood grain, these cabinets offer multiple design possibilities to stand the test of time - simply switch out your decor or cabinet hardware for a whole new aesthetic.

Because maple trees are widely found in forests throughout the East Coast of the United States, maple wood cabinets are one of the most accessible and affordable wood cabinet options. But despite being less expensive, quality maple cabinets are still incredibly durable and easy to maintain.

Characteristics:

• Smooth, even grain
• Colors range from near-white to golden yellow
• Nonporous and water-resistant surface
• Grain patterns may include bird's eye dots, mineral streaking, and curling
• Easy to stain and refinish, though darker stains may look uneven
• UV rays will cause natural-colored maple to yellow over time

Oak Wood Cabinets

Oak kitchen cabinets are best known for their unique grain pattern and timeless look, making them a popular go-to for many kitchen designs. This hard, heavy wood comes in a wide variety of colors, depending on the subspecies of oak. Red oak cabinets feature rich, red hues often seen in traditional kitchen designs, while white oak has a more golden tone and a subtler grain pattern, making it a good choice for contemporary designs.

For the budget-conscious homeowner, oak is relatively inexpensive compared to maple and cherry but just as durable. However, due to its natural texture, some stains and paints may appear streaky and uneven. You'll have fewer options if you plan to refinish your cabinets down the road.

Characteristics:

• Open, straight-grain pattern distinguished by light-reflecting rays
• Sealed pores make white oak water resistant
• Colors range from light beige to brown and red, depending on the subspecies of oak
• Grain is visible through stains and finishes
• UV rays will cause natural-colored oak to yellow over time

Alder Wood Cabinets

If you're drawn to rustic, knotty wood, alder wood kitchen cabinets might be your top choice. Often referred to as "the poor man's cherry," alder features a red hue similar to a young cherry. You'll also have the option to choose between smooth and knotty cabinets depending on your taste.

Despite its unique properties, alder wood is not typically recommended for kitchen cabinets. It requires a specific finishing technique that is often more expensive than more common woods. Alder wood cabinets are also on the softer end of hardwood cabinets, meaning they're far more likely to get scratches and dents.

Characteristics:

• Smooth, even grain with natural knots
• Colors range from light honey gold to light rust red
• Available knotty or smooth
• Susceptible to dents and scratches
• UV rays may cause alder wood to lighten over time

Hickory Wood Cabinets

Hickory wood is the toughest and heaviest hardwood available, making it an ideal option for cabinets in a heavily used family kitchen. With its distinctive flame-like grain and striations of color, these cabinets provide a decorative focal point that can withstand virtually all types of wear and tear.

However, hickory cabinets won't suit every design style. These cabinets may appear busy when combined with other patterns and textures, and can make a tiny kitchen feel even more cramped.

Characteristics:

• Straight, sometimes wavy, grain with medium texture
• Colors range between white, reddish-brown, and dark brown
• Bold grain pattern may include specks, burls, water stains, and knots
• Incredibly strong and dense, yet flexible and shock resistant
• UV rays may cause hickory wood to yellow over time

Birch Wood Cabinets

With birch trees plentiful throughout North America, these light-colored hardwood cabinets are a popular and widely available choice for kitchen cabinets. Birch kitchen cabinets come in a variety of colors, depending on the subspecies of tree. They're commonly found in light golden brown, but white and red birch cabinets are also available.

Birch wood kitchen cabinets are also incredibly versatile. Opt for distressed, darker birch cabinets for a rustic kitchen, or choose slab cabinets in their signature honey color for a more minimalist design. If you want to switch up your style later on, birch cabinets are the perfect canvas for stains and paints.

Characteristics:

• Fine grain with varied porosity
• Colors range from near-white to light golden brown and red
• Durable and water resistant
• Can have an uneven texture that may not be ideal for glossy finishes
• Easy to stain and refinish, though darker stains may look uneven

Walnut Wood Cabinets

From classic traditional to sleek and modern kitchens, walnut wood cabinets offer a warm, sophisticated look that complements most design styles. This dark-colored, medium-hardness wood features deep swirls and intricate grain patterns sure to bring character into your kitchen.

In addition to being timeless and versatile, walnut wood cabinets are one of the most durable woods on the market. The oils found in walnut yield a natural protection against fingerprints and scratches, making them a good choice for homes with children and pets.

Characteristics:

• Smooth, fine, and straight wood grain
• Colors range from deep chocolate to reddish-gray or brown
• Higher resistance to degradation compared to other wood species
• Organic oils provide natural protection against scratches and cracks
• Can lighten over time

Pecan Wood Cabinets

Known for its dramatic color variations, pecan wood cabinets bring contrast to a kitchen to create a one-of-a-kind focal point. Colors range from blonde to reddish brown, depending on the part of the tree the wood is sourced from. A single cabinet door can feature dozens of shades of brown and red.

Compared to other types of wood, pecan is a relatively affordable cabinet material. Pecan kitchen cabinets are also an eco-friendly option recognized by Greenpeace in its Good Wood Guide. Pecan trees are sustainably sourced from plantations, preserving natural forests.

Characteristics:

• Straight, sometimes wavy, grain pattern with medium texture
• Colors range from blonde to reddish-brown
• Prone to decay and insect damage
• Does not stain easily compared to other wood types

How To Style Natural Wood Kitchen Cabinets

From polished hardware to patterned backsplashes, there are many ways to bring in color and design around natural wood kitchen cabinets without taking away from their simple beauty.

Incorporate Colorful Elements

Wood kitchen cabinets come in a range of neutral colors like beige and dark brown, making them an ideal canvas for colorful kitchen accents. Add a fun rug, playful tea towels, or colorful kitchen appliances for a personal touch that won't overwhelm your design.

Add Mixed Metals

The right cabinet pulls and knobs can take your natural wood cabinets to the next level. When choosing hardware for wood cabinets, opt for dark hardware for lighter cabinets and stainless steel or silver hardware for darker cabinets. The contrasting colors will allow both elements to stand out on their own.

Opt for a Bold Backsplash

Natural wood kitchen cabinets with a simple grain pattern are subtle enough to complement a bold backsplash, like one with a geometric print or herringbone pattern. You can also add patterned floor tiles to provide even more contrast to the simplicity of the wood.

Create a Farmhouse Aesthetic

Wood cabinets provide the perfect backdrop for modern and traditional farmhouse-style decor. Pair farmhouse natural wood kitchen cabinets with vintage (yet trendy) barn lighting, mixed metals, and a classic farmhouse sink to complete the look.

Ditch the Hardware for a Streamlined Look

Going for a minimal look? Slab natural wood kitchen cabinets without handles or pulls are incredibly popular in Scandinavian and modern kitchen design due to their clean, streamlined appearance.

Pair With Clean, White Countertops and Backsplashes

If an all-white kitchen seems a bit too sterile, natural wood cabinets can add some much-needed warmth. Although some may consider this a "safe" choice, pairing wood cabinets with a white kitchen countertop and backsplash draws the eye to the cabinets' organic textures and rich, earthy tones. This combo can be seen across any style of kitchen, from farmhouse to modern.

Channel Mid-Century Modern Vibes

Known for their sleek, sharp lines, neutral color palette, and timeless style, Mid-Century Modern kitchens and slab natural wood kitchen cabinets go hand in hand. Embrace the style by incorporating organic materials, Sputnik light fixtures, and fun shapes into your kitchen layout.

Stay on Trend With Modern Light Fixtures and Hardware

One of the main concerns about natural wood kitchen cabinets is that they can look dated - but that largely depends on how they're styled. Sleek hardware and updated pendant lights or sconces can instantly bring your drab wood kitchen cabinets back to life.

Try Two-Tone Cabinets

Two-tone kitchen cabinets can add visual interest and depth to your kitchen. Natural wood cabinets pair especially well with green, white, and gray cabinets. Two-tone cabinets are a great way to highlight your kitchen island or create a grounding effect by installing darker lower cabinets and light upper cabinets.

Decorate With Natural Materials

Create an organic oasis with natural wood kitchen cabinets, woven baskets, trailing plants, and stone countertops and backsplashes. Bringing the outdoors in will keep your kitchen feeling fresh and serene.

Natural Wood Kitchen Cabinets FAQs

Wondering if natural wood kitchen cabinets are right for you? We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions below to help you decide.

Are natural wood cabinets back in style?

Natural wood cabinets are back in style -- in fact, they never fell out of style. But instead of the intricately carved, custom wood cabinets popular in the early 2000s, simple shaker or slab cabinets in lighter colored wood are now preferred in modern and contemporary kitchen designs.

Are solid wood cabinets worth the money?

Solid wood cabinets are worth the money if you plan to enjoy them for years to come. Wood cabinets are more durable than wood veneer or MDF cabinets, and they can easily be refinished, painted, or stained during your next kitchen renovation.

Tip: To save money on natural wood cabinets, choose ready-to-assemble or pre-assembled cabinets.

How long do wood kitchen cabinets last?

Depending on the quality and finish of your cabinets, natural wood kitchen cabinets can last up to 50 years.

What is the most durable type of wood kitchen cabinet?

Hickory wood cabinets are the most durable type of wood kitchen cabinets, followed by walnut and oak.

Natural wood is a beautiful, timeless, and durable material that has made its mark on every kitchen design style. Whether you're creating a craftsman kitchen or a sleek Mid-Century abode, natural wood kitchen cabinets can help create an inviting atmosphere that'll stand the test of time.

Thinking of upgrading your kitchen cabinets? Don't sacrifice quality for cost. Check out our huge selection of ready-to-assemble and pre-assembled cabinets for an instant kitchen refresh.