39 Timber kitchen ideas to add warmth and texture

As one of the hero natural materials in kitchen design, timber is just so versatile. It’s ageless and comes in endless variations. And a timber kitchen will complement any interior design style.

You can use it in a myriad of ways. From timber kitchen benchtops, cabinets and counters, to timber flooring and ceilings. Who can resist timber floorboards? They’re gorgeous to look at, feel great underfoot, are sound-absorbing and can be finished any way you like. And of course, there’s always beautiful wooden furniture.

This earthy, tactile material instantly adds warmth, richness and texture to a kitchen. But timber is also favoured for its functionality and durability, meaning it can be a smart investment.

Natural timber can be quite expensive in large quantities. But an all-timber kitchen may be a bit much in any case! Instead, restrict it to just an accent to add the timeless elegance that timber brings. Or choose timber veneers, melamine or laminate finishes that mimic timber.

Timber pairs so well with white, grey or black kitchens. It pops against white and can create a dark, mesmerising mood when balanced with blacks or greys. If you don’t wish to add a lot of bright colour, timber can be an excellent choice to add warmth to a cool-toned kitchen.

So go ahead and add some beautifully designed timber elements to your kitchen—you won’t regret it. Here, we explore ## ways you can introduce timber into your kitchen. Let’s get started.

 

1. Add wooden accents

If you’re not sure about a full timber kitchen, start with some subtle touches. It’s as simple as adding some timber open shelving or a row of wooden bar stools.

2. Opt for birch plywood

An increasingly popular contemporary timber is sustainable birch plywood. It works so well against the grey ceiling and white flooring.

3. Mix soft tones

Faded timber hues look stunning in a contemporary kitchen. The pale wood looks so beautiful against other soft tones, like muted forest green. Mixing timber with green tones creates a peaceful vibe and very much connects your kitchen space to nature.

4. Pair white with light timber

The white and timber kitchen is an absolute classic. It blends the functional simplicity of a white kitchen with the warmth and texture of timber. Little black touches can punctuate the look.

5. Blend timber cabinetry with tile

Timber softens the look of a hard industrial kitchen finish such as steel or dark tile. A mix of matte and gloss black in the tiling and counters contrasts beautifully with unusual timber cabinets and flooring.

6. Rustic pale timber

The modern all-wood kitchen manages to be both rustic and minimalist. How about a pale timber and tiled design in earthy tones, with walls painted with limewash paint? Cabinets can be faced with wood veneer and inlaid with on-trend, tactile hemp burlap. You could also go for timber with a bold grain for intentional contrast with smooth, flat materials.

7. Industrial kitchen

A mix of contrasting colours and textures is a hallmark of industrial style kitchens. a juxtaposition of dark timbers with a pale stone splashback looks amazing against white cabinets. You can also add luxe, warm metal accents in the fittings to enhance the look. And the contrasting materials draw attention to the stunning features of each.

8. Timber with a 3D tile

Tiles add so much texture to a kitchen. Think about stunning 3D tiles which perfectly complement materials like marble and timber.

9. Light timber cabinetry

Choose blonde timbers like pale plywood or beech to evoke a contemporary Scandi feel. The pale, neutral tones are perfect for understated open shelving. A kitchen with pale cabinetry has such a relaxed, clean and open feeling.

10. Timber and marble with floorboards

Can’t decide between timber or marble? You don’t have to—the freshest kitchen designs for 2021 simply incorporate both! For example, meld warm timber tones with richly-veined marble for a stunning effect.

11. White kitchen, dark floorboards

Is a timber floor too much with a timber kitchen? Not necessarily. Choosing different tones of wood breaks it up.

Have original hardwood floors that are showing their age? Thinking of resanding or ripping them out? Instead, why not consider adding a coat of glossy black or white paint? You can discuss your needs with a local flooring expert.

12. Timber upper and lower cabinets

Balance overhead timber kitchen cabinets with lower cabinets in the same timber. Add detailing in the sink and cabinet legs for a touch of drama.

13. Exposed beam ceiling

If you are lucky enough to have beams to expose in your kitchen, take advantage of them! Exposed beams always provide a sense of rustic cosiness.

For more rustic kitchen inspiration, check out these farmhouse kitchens and country kitchen ideas.

14. White-painted rustic beams

Exposed wooden beams also look amazing when whitewashed. It all feels incredibly spacious when you have white walls and then beams opening up the room.

15. Timber between kitchen and dining

Connect a dining room with a kitchen with the clever use of a timber frame as a room divider.

16. Bench seating

Timber can be added in unusual ways, such as in generous timber bench seating.

17. Pastel painted cabinetry

Timber cabinets can be painted in any colour you desire. Why not paint a row of lower cabinets in a fresh minty green? Colour works especially well if the kitchen is quite minimalist, for example with no pulls on cabinets.

Changing the colour of your cabinets is an easy way to refresh your kitchen. You can find someone nearby to help with your cabinet painting.

18. Fruit crate kitchen drawers

Love farmhouse-style kitchens? Then you’ll know the style revolves around the use of timber. You can instantly create a farmhouse vibe by adding a touch of vintage timber. Try old fruit crates to take the place of lower cabinets. Mounted on sliding tracks, they can be topped with a reclaimed oak countertop.

19. Timber backsplash

Rather than have timber cabinets, consider having a faux-timber splashback. Get the look with one of the newer styles of kitchen wallpaper. You might also like to check out our recent blog on kitchen splashback ideas.

And if you prefer to go with real tile, you can hire an expert in splashback tiling.

20. Midcentury modern

Luxurious walnut is becoming popular as a timber of choice. It’s the perfect choice to create a mid-century modern look. It pairs well with brass or stone accents. While it can be expensive, choosing it as a veneer makes it much more accessible.

21. Nordic grey tones

Timber with grey tones is popular for a Scandi-style kitchen. Use sustainable natural materials for a simple, beautiful neutral grey kitchen.

22. Timber beams and floorboards

Exposed timber beams and plenty of wood in a kitchen bring lots of warmth and soul. Think about matte, wide-planked white oak flooring for a natural look and feel.

23. Playful feature

Oak is a popular light kitchen timber as it is so bright, cheerful and warm-looking. Go for oak cabinets, shelving or an all-oak kitchen. Or create a playful feature from bespoke joinery. Your kitchen will instantly look relaxed and modern.

24. Vintage timber furniture

A black and white kitchen really comes to life when you add a little timber. Some gorgeous pieces of vintage timber furniture will do the trick. You can also give it a modern, beachy vibe by whitewashing the hardwood floors. This looks especially effective with wide plank flooring. Then add some contrasting black accents (hardware, statement lamps and other accessories)

25. Timber and black

White kitchens will never go out of style. But there’s been a trend towards a rich, darker kitchen palette in recent years. With a lovely matte tonal range, dark timber kitchens also have the added benefit of helping conceal mess and clutter. These tend to stand out more against a white backdrop!

26. Whitewashed walls and floors

Whitewashed timber floors create a simple neutral look. Combine floorboards with subtle hints of timber throughout the kitchen. Black and darker wood tones add contrast so the white doesn’t look too clinical.

27. Wooden drawer organisers

If you have timber cabinetry, consider adding wooden drawer organisers. This clever kitchen storage idea features handmade organisers. They can also be lifted out and used as trays.

28. Timber kitchen island

There’s nothing like having a show-stopping timber kitchen island and a timber one will never go out of style.

29. Timber shelving

There are so many ways you can use timber in your cabinets and shelving. An unexpected recessed shelving unit can lead the eye upwards to a feature ceiling. Interested in custom kitchen shelving? You might like to contact an experienced kitchen cabinet maker to discuss your ideas. Or, for a ballpark guide see how much a kitchen installation costs.

30. Timber and marble with flagstone flooring

Marble has long been popular in kitchens. But contemporary designs incorporate more of the colourful natural stone than ever. Soft, pastel-toned marbles provide a classic contrast to the rustic oak joinery with a modern vibe. Add stunning grey flagstone paving. And the result is a mix of Scandi style, coastal vibes and understated elegance.

31. Wooden stools

Have a modern kitchen that’s all-laminate? Consider adding warmth with some small timber elements, such as stools. Adding timber to the accessories only makes it very easy to change things up.

32. Wooden extractor hood

Visually connect your rangehood to the other timber elements of your kitchen with a striking timber housing around it.

33. Recycled timber kitchen benchtops

Embrace the natural beauty of timber with a wooden bench or counter. The natural patina of the timber looks beautiful against black fittings and fixtures.

34. Mix tones

Mixing tones creates contrast and the perfect balance of light and dark. For example, gorgeous blackbutt-veneered cabinetry contrasted with a stainless steel splashback. Timber adds so much warmth to other, ‘cooler’ materials. You can also get the effect by combining two different timbers in the kitchen. Choose a range of tones and grains for a unique aesthetic and feel.

35. Parquetry

You can make a timber floor work with timber cabinets without having to perfectly match the timbers. Parquetry flooring sometimes makes timber decisions easier, because it incorporates several tones. This makes it easier to find a colour that ties everything together.

36. White cabinets, pale timber floors

An all-white kitchen looks stunning with light-coloured, natural-finished timber flooring. The white provides the perfect foil to show off the beauty of the timber.

37. Dark timber and concrete

A muted grey splashback looks just gorgeous against heavily patinaed timber cabinets.

38. Feature panel ceiling

Feature panel ceilings create instant warmth and cosiness. Starting out your kitchen design from an existing feature ceiling? Choose your colour palette for everything else based on the ceiling colour.

39. Go for sustainable timbers

Finally, some timbers, like tropically-sourced teak, have sustainability and ethical issues. So make sure to choose recycled timber or something like plantation teak. If you’re going to go for an all-timber kitchen, you want to ensure you aren’t harming the environment!

Add a subtle touch of timber or go for a total timber kitchen – it’s up to you. Either way, you’ll adore spending time in your timber kitchen for many years to come.

What’s your favourite timber to incorporate into a kitchen design? Do you prefer airy, light-coloured wood, or do you favour a moody vibe from darker timber? Let me know in the comments below!