Design nuances of wood style in the kitchen interior

What to consider when choosing a kitchen set?

Choosing a kitchen in wooden tones is not much different from choosing any other kitchen set.

The photo shows dark facades made of natural wood

4 things to pay attention to:

1. Material. The cheapest wooden kitchens are made of MDF or chipboard, the most expensive and durable are kitchens made of solid wood. There are also mixed models – when the frame is made of MDF or chipboard, and the facades and countertop are made of solid wood.
2. Style. Even kitchen sets made of wood come in different styles: classic, modern, loft, scandi, country, Provence. Decide on the most suitable direction for yourself, only then order kitchen furniture.
3. Color. The classic rule is that the smaller the area of the room, the lighter the furniture should be. Natural wood or its imitation is no exception. Light varieties include oak, beech, ash. Dark varieties include walnut, cherry, cedar.
4. Shape. Kitchens can be straight, parallel, corner, U-shaped and island. The final choice depends on the size of the room and your personal preferences: some leave more space for the dining table and seating area, for others a spacious work surface is important, and some rely on capacity.

Another important detail is the fittings. Ultimately, it is they that determine the comfort of using the kitchen. The better the fittings, the more pleasant it will be for you to cook: the cabinets will open easily and close smoothly, the drawers will roll out and move back in themselves. No unnecessary sounds or unpleasant slams.

Advice! When choosing between a solid wood kitchen with inexpensive fittings and an MDF model with expensive guides and hinges, give preference to the second option.

Which material is better to choose?

A solid wood kitchen is far from the only option for a wooden kitchen. We suggest figuring out what other materials are used to make furniture and what their advantages and disadvantages are.

Solid wood kitchen

Advantages of natural wood:

• Environmentally friendly. You don’t have to worry about harmful volatile substances: 100% natural materials do not emit anything like that.
• Appearance. Cozy wooden facades are incomparable in beauty with any other. Due to the pliability of wood, their design can be absolutely anything: from straight strict forms to amazing carved elements.
• Durability. A properly made wood-effect kitchen will last in the interior for at least 15 years, although this period is even underestimated. The ease of restoration will provide your furniture with a second and even third life, which means this is an acquisition for many years.
• Relevance. The shape of the kitchen may go out of fashion, but the wood itself – never! In order not to say goodbye to the kitchen in a short time because of its appearance, choose the most neutral and universal design.

Disadvantages of solid wood furniture:

• Cost. Of all the ideas for a wooden kitchen, a kitchen made of any type of wood will 100% be more expensive.
• Heavy. Unlike glued chipboard or thin plywood, wood weighs much more, which complicates the process of transportation and installation.
• Fastidious in care. In order for the wood to last as long as possible, not to swell and not to dry out, it will be necessary to maintain a constant humidity of 65-70%, protect it from heat sources and sun, immediately wipe up spilled liquids and regularly care for it with special products.

The type of wood from which the furniture is made also matters.

• Hardwoods are more durable and expensive, these include: oak, beech, ash, maple.
• Softwoods are much cheaper, but are inferior in terms of service life and appearance. It can be pine, birch, alder.
• Cherry or sweet cherry is considered an intermediate type of wood – it is not as durable as oak, but very beautiful.

The last thing you need to pay attention to is the choice of finishing coating. Often, craftsmen use two options:

1. Varnish. Creates a durable protective surface, protects wood from any harmful effects. The only caveat is that the glossy coating glares strongly in the sun, so for southern or eastern rooms it is better to choose a matte one.
2. Wax or oil. Both products emphasize the texture of the wood, but require periodic renewal. But they do not clog pores, leaving a pleasant textured surface. Any type of wood looks more natural, but the kitchen will require special care during operation.

Advice! To get furniture of the desired shade, it is not necessary to look for a suitable natural wood treated with a transparent composition. It is much easier to choose a light type of wood and cover it with a tint of the desired color.

Veneer

Veneer is a great alternative when you need an impressive appearance without serious investment. The essence of veneering is that a 2-3 mm layer of cut natural wood is glued to a durable MDF facade. If you are decorating a kitchen in a modern wood style and are not going to overpay for 100% wooden models, this is your option.

Compared to natural wood, veneer even wins in some respects. Its advantages:

• Durability. In an aggressive kitchen environment, veneer is more practical: it does not warp from high humidity and does not crack from dry air.
• Appearance. From the outside, the facades are in no way inferior to wooden ones: the same pleasant to the touch texture and naturalness.
• Easy to restore. As with wood, any scratches are simply sanded and waxed.

The photo shows a stylish kitchen made of veneer

Of course, there are also disadvantages:

• Peeling off from the base. Glue, unlike wood, is not as durable: therefore, over time, you may find that the coating has come off the MDF board. However, this disadvantage is more common in low-quality cheap models.
• Darkening. Natural wood changes its natural appearance one way or another, especially if it is constantly exposed to sunlight.

MDF

Do not confuse with chipboard! Fiberboard is a more environmentally friendly and modern material. Its advantages:

• Relatively low price. MDF is cheaper than natural wood and veneer.
• Environmentally friendly. The furniture does not emit formaldehyde and other harmful substances.
• Versatility. MDF offers great possibilities both in terms of shape and shade of future furniture.
• Practicality. The boards do not require special treatment, all care for them consists of washing and wiping off dirt.
• Moisture resistance. On the outside, the fibers are always protected by a film or paint, which significantly increases their service life.
• Wide range. Whatever color you choose – oak, walnut, ash, pine – the price and quality of the furniture will not change. PVC films exist in almost any shade of wood, no matter which one you choose.

The photo shows a two-tone kitchen made of mdf

Disadvantages of mdf:

• White inner side. Of course, you can order 100% wood veneer, but the standard example assumes a white inner side of the facades and cases.
• Unreliable fasteners. The glued interior makes itself known: over time, weak fasteners on handles, hinges and other elements can simply become loose.

Plywood

One of the underestimated materials is plywood. For some reason, many people consider it unsuitable for furniture, but the strength and appearance of plywood are not inferior to any other options.

Advantages of plywood:

• Strength. With the same thickness, plywood is stronger than MDF. Moisture resistance. Even without special protection, the sheets do not warp even in the sink area.
• Ease of processing. You can even saw and assemble the cabinets yourself.
• Cost. The final cost is roughly comparable to the budget chipboard segment.

There is only one drawback: finding quality plywood for future furniture may be more difficult than you thought. The most suitable classes are I and II.

The photo shows stylish plywood kitchen furniture

Wood-like film

We have already partially touched on this topic in the section on MDF, but chipboard is also covered with film: what is the difference?

The main difference is the use of formaldehyde-based resins in the production of chipboard.

Other disadvantages:

• Not moisture resistant. Once the edge comes loose and water gets inside the board, swelling cannot be avoided.
• Unreliable fasteners. In a glued sheet, the screws do not hold well and become loose over time.
• Appearance. Yes, the film imitates natural wood, but the low quality of the furniture will still be noticeable from afar.

Let’s not forget about the advantages:

• Low price. Furniture made of laminated chipboard is the most budget option.
• Wide range. Regarding wood, you will find film of any type: from the usual beech or wenge to the less popular apple tree.

Choosing colors and shades

Wood itself is completely different. The shade depends on the type of wood or its imitation:

• The lightest, beige: bleached oak, ash shimo, light oak, beech, pine.
• Medium in brightness: alder, rustic oak, light walnut, apple, cherry.
• The darkest: wenge, mahogany, embossed walnut, cedar.

In combination with other shades, wood is absolutely universal: it can be used as a base for any palette.

• White finishes combined with wooden elements are a distinctive feature of the Scandi style.
• Black with dark or rich wood can often be found in the loft style.
• Symbiosis with gray allows you to achieve a harmonious color scheme.

What furniture and appliances can be used?

Regardless of the shade of your facades, remember the main thing: the appliances can be absolutely any! In combination with white, you get a fresh look, a black oven or refrigerator will add drama, steel is ideal for modern trends.

The photo shows black appliances in a wood-like kitchen

In order not to overdo it, the kitchen under the tree in the interior is combined with plain surfaces of walls and floors, maximally neutral rest of the furniture. For example, wooden facades are ennobled with a plain tabletop and a table is chosen to match its color. Otherwise, if everything is made of wood, you are guaranteed to get the feeling of being in a bathhouse, and not a modern apartment.

What style can it be used in?

Classic style kitchens are usually distinguished by red or dark. Facades with decorative milling or stained glass patterns on the glass. The best countertop is stone.

Loft also suggests dark tones. The facades are smooth, with a pronounced texture. The countertop is gray to resemble concrete or black, the apron is also preferably black. The same applies to kitchen appliances.

In the Scandinavian style, the kitchen is standardly white, but you can order a wooden countertop, as well as the upper row of cabinets.

Modern interiors suggest abandoning additional unusual decor, relying on rich texture and minimalist design of the built-in kitchen.