Introducing Wood To Your Kitchen Design

When someone mentions ‘wood’ in relation to kitchens, the immediate image that springs to mind is probably going to be that of a traditional farmhouse-style interior. However, with the increasing popularity of elegant hand-painted kitchens and the demand for sleek modern interiors, the traditional farmhouse kitchen is understandably a look that many are keen to steer away from.

In reality, wood is an incredibly versatile material, and it can go a long way to add an element of warmth to a room. Introducing wood to your kitchen design can add a rustic and inviting quality or a sophisticated Scandi-inspired touch depending on your approach. Regardless of your kitchen style, introducing wood to your design is a great way to prevent your space from becoming too clinical. However you choose to include wood in your interior, you’re sure to create a stylish space oozing with character.

To give you some ideas on how to introduce wood to your kitchen design, we’ve picked our five favourite ways to use wood successfully without creating a space that says, ‘too much wood’.

Wooden Floors

Water can cause wood to stain and warp, meaning it isn’t typically a good material to use in kitchens and rooms that may be exposed to water. However, faux effect luxury vinyl flooring can offer a good solution. Some laminates are also available in a waterproof finish, though not as durable as LVT. At Ream Interiors, we find Karndean’s ‘designs inspired by nature’ particularly popular, they can bring a wonderful natural warmth to a space. Wooden floors look great in open-plan homes where living spaces blend with the kitchen. You can choose from a range of colours and formats, including chevron and herringbone patterns.

Wall Tiles

There are some beautiful wood-style porcelain tiles on the market. If you’re set on having a traditional stone look on the floor, you can still add some texture to the walls with a wood effect tile.

Breakfast Bar

Adding a wood breakfast bar to an island or peninsula can introduce a subtle accent of warmth and texture to your kitchen design. Wood breakfast bars make a stunning design feature as well as breaking up the flatness of a work surface with a tiered seating space.

Cabinet Accents

Influenced by German, Scandinavian and Japanese interior design trends, pairing a sleek wood-veneer finish with a minimal modern cabinet style can create a dramatic effect. Elegant and uncluttered wood cabinets make a wonderful accent in a cool, contemporary kitchen.

Open Shelving

While it can be tempting to keep everything neatly tucked away behind closed doors, too much solid cabinetry can make a kitchen feel cramped and claustrophobic. Breaking up your units with some open shelving is a great way to add a touch of personality and character to your space. Open shelves offer another fantastic opportunity to introduce a wood accent to your design.

Furniture 

A timeless and versatile option to incorporate wood into your design is by introducing freestanding furniture. Consider adding a dining table, wooden-legged stools or even an unpainted interior door.

Worktops

It’s a fairly well-known fact that real wood worktops are very high maintenance. They require regular treatment and do not always stand up to the wear and tear of kitchen usage as well as other options, especially where water is concerned. However, there are so many beautiful wood-style laminate worksurfaces available; you can easily achieve the classic look of wood worktops without the maintenance involved. Alternatively, if you’re feeling up to the challenge, go for it with real wood!

Wood is a beautiful organic feature to use in the home. It has always been admired for its exquisite and luxurious detailed grain. Although these are our favourite ways to use wood, there are so many options out there; the only limit is your imagination! If you’d like to find more inspiration, you can click here to view our gallery. Home improvement apps such as ‘Pinterest’ and ‘Houzz’ can also provide a wealth of ideas. Our friendly team are always delighted to chat about your ideas. You can give us a call on 01634 799 909 or email us at [email protected].