Wood Kitchen Cabinets Are Back — And More Charming Than Ever

While white kitchens have had their moment (and, let’s be honest, they aren't going anywhere), wood cabinets are coming back with a vengeance to reclaim the top spot on the kitchen cabinet color throne. According to a new kitchen trends study by Houzz, wood tones are now the most popular cabinet colors in newly-renovated kitchens, after a 6% increase in popularity from last year.

Wood kitchen cabinets aren’t a new thing by any means, but we can’t help loving the modern takes on the classic style we're seeing. Say goodbye to the heavy, orange-toned woods of yesteryear and hello to something fresh — from muted, medium tones paired with earthy marble countertops to light and airy finishes that feel natural and clean. These aren’t your grandmother's wood kitchen cabinets! Read on for all the inspiration.

Chip and Jo have worked their magic again — this time on a dreamy Colorado home. Trending or not, wood cabinets always feel natural in a mountain home. The bespoke all-wood cabinetry in this kitchen fits right in with the rest of the wood-clad room, mirroring the woodsy ambiance of the surrounding Rocky Mountain landscape.

Dark, heavy wood tones may have had their moment, but light, airy wood tones are ready for the spotlight. Lighter finishes let the wood’s natural beauty shine through, highlighting grain patterns and even imperfections, creating charm and character that’s hard to manufacture.

People are often quick to rip out those dated, orange-toned wood cabinets during a kitchen remodel, but this elegant, English country-inspired kitchen proves that you don't have to. Context is key in making warmer wood tones look fresh. Here, the sophisticated surroundings, from the deep green countertops to the detailed millwork and the patina of the checkered floor, elevate the cabinets’ appearance.

While the Tuscan kitchen of the early aughts hasn't fully come back around just yet, we love a little European villa flair. Wood cabinets with fluted details, marble countertops and a plaster-and-pressed-tile hood combine to create a striking look in this elegant kitchen.

High contrast is the key to this kitchen’s striking aesthetic, pairing walnut tones with bright white to create an elegant visual. While the natural grain of the wood adds subtle texture, the beadboard on the island enhances the contrast with the smooth plaster beams and range hood.

Can you really discuss wood kitchen cabinets without a dose of midcentury modern style? Though this kitchen's dark wood cabinets and abundant patterns could overwhelm the space, oversized windows and glass-front cabinets create an airy balance to the denser details. The playful addition of the yellow island lightens things up even more.

Warm white and natural wood blend to create a restful and calm atmosphere in this neutral chef’s kitchen. The simple-yet-sophisticated design lets the materials do the talking, with the veiny marble, gas range and grainy wood details combining for luxurious results.

Have you ever seen a more picture-perfect contemporary kitchen? White oak envelopes the space, from the smooth, rift cabinets to the paneling flanking the range hood and the rough-hewn flooring. Stacked sage tiles across the backsplash pair beautifully with the subtle veining of the slab countertops and offer just enough contrast to balance the visual.

While we think a waterfall marble countertop could improve nearly any kitchen, wrap it with a floating walnut ledge at dining-chair height and consider us sold. The ledge and chairs tie the massive island to the stunning cabinets, amde from quartersawn walnut slabs. An assortment of mismatched black pendants creatively caps off the character-rich details in this walnut-filled kitchen.

Don't be afraid of the dark! This contemporary, eat-in kitchen shows that dark wood cabinets do not equal a dark kitchen. With an island and upper cabinetry in rich wood, complemented by deep blue lowers and dark wood floors, you’d expect this space to be a little dreary. In reality, it's just as bright and sunny as the adjacent sitting room.

It doesn't get much more sophisticated than a wall of wood built-ins in an elegant, open-concept kitchen. The muted tones of the wood offer an oasis of warmth on the creamy white wall. It's the perfect spot to display pretty serveware and collected treasures, bringing even more character to the space.

Color us impressed! In a world of cookie-cutter, neutral kitchens, this eclectic pink-and-orange kitchen is layered with patterns, providing life-giving style. This colorful overhaul took the existing wood cabinets from basic to beautiful — no reno required.

While your ordinary pantry may not have much design depth, the rich wood cabinetry in this walk-in storage space ensures it's anything but ordinary. If you’re on the fence about adding built-in cabinetry to your pantry, consider this your sign to go for it.

Designer Rob Diaz wasn't shy with his use of wood in this streamlined kitchen, creating tone-on-tone drama with plain-sliced white oak cabinetry atop wide-plank oak floors.

If you’re still a sucker for a white kitchen, but you’re looking to explore your wood cabinetry options, designer Erika Jayne proves you can have the best of both worlds. Her solution: A two-tone kitchen with a mixture of bright white and contrasting wood cabinetry and open shelving.

Wood tones abound in this contemporary farmhouse kitchen, from the wide-plank floors to the floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to the rustic hewn beam above the stove. The fine craftsmanship throughout gives this farmhouse-style kitchen an effortlessly chic look.

With its white walls and whitewashed hardwood floors, this kitchen and dining area flow together seamlessly. The all-neutral palette brings an earthy, organic feel to the space, allowing the rich warmth of the wood cabinets to shine.

This petite galley kitchen makes the most of its limited footprint with luxe materials, including natural hardwood cabinetry, marble countertops and elegant brass details throughout.

Though this windowless kitchen doesn’t enjoy much natural light, its thoughtful design and use of natural materials give it a clean, airy feel. Layered materials consisting of wood cabinetry, a stone range hood and massive wood beams create balanced, rustic appeal.

You’ll find wood everywhere you look in this sleek kitchen. While the flooring, ceiling, shelving and other elements are beautiful, it's the flat-panel wood cabinetry the steals the show. The satin finish offers subtle reflectivity, enhancing the natural light spilling in from the windows.

The sandy wood cabinets in this bright, open-plan kitchen stop just short of the ceiling, giving them the look of an oversized hutch and perfectly complementing the space’s laid-back vibe. To compliment the cabinets, a large wooden beam runs the length of the door frame leading to the living room.

If you're hoping for a day that you can give your kitchen the wood cabinet treatment, it may be closer than you think. You don't have to rip out all of your cabinetry and take on a massive kitchen renovation. This transitional-style kitchen gets the wood cabinet effect with a standout wood island at the center.