Timber kitchens are a trend because of the many adjectives that are used to describe it – such as beautiful, warm and timeless. It’s not surprising that timber kitchens have never lost their appeal.
Owners of wooden kitchens or timber cabinets are used to compliments on how calming and earthy they are. But there’s more to it than that. Timber kitchens can be made from jarrah or oak, recycled wood, or laminates that look like timber. They are durable and functional.
They are also not very expensive. Modern timber kitchens are usually mid-range compared to other designs. For example, a timber benchtop is usually half the cost of one made from quartz or engineered stones, but more expensive than laminate.
What is the latest trend in wood kitchens?
According to Scarlet Opus, the Japanese Wabi Sabi concept and philosophy of finding beauty in imperfections can explain the appeal of timber. This concept is reflected in the warmth, texture, and comfort that wooden kitchens provide, whether it’s on cabinets, floors, or ceilings.
Timber kitchen designs may include wood in any part of the design, from the floors, to the windows or doors, to the cabinets, furniture and ceiling. However, it is not used everywhere. Contrast and restraint are important. White and timber is a concept that brings life to a white kitchen.
To strike the perfect balance, a designer may specify a stone tile flooring and increase the wooden kitchen cabinets.
This trend is applicable to all types of wooden kitchens. It is easy to find a wide variety of examples of wooden kitchen designs that feature timber cabinets, floors, ceilings, or benchtops.
What type of wood is used in modern timber kitchens?
There are many. The choice of wood for a project is based on the design, cost, and taste. Native Australian species include: Tasmanian Oak, Victorian Ash (also known as Blackbutt), Spotted gum, Brushbox, Blackwood and Jarrah.
Birch, Ash and Walnut are some of the non-native wood species that can be found in Australian kitchens. Other species include European Oak, American Oak European Beech and Bamboo.
There are also melamine products and laminates that have a wood-like appearance and feel.
How hard is it to maintain a wooden kitchen?
Timber kitchens are an organic product and therefore require special care. It is essential to select the right wood for any fitting, whether it’s a plywood kitchen benchtop, flooring, or timber cabinets.
The likelihood of a timber benchtop to scratch, stain, or chip is higher than that of most other kitchen surfaces. It can be coated with polyurethane or varnish before installation to reduce the likelihood of these incidents. It may only need to be resurfaced every two years, depending on its condition.
If you have a wooden kitchen benchtops in Brisbane that has a matte natural finish, it is recommended to treat it once a year with oil.
It is a good idea, in terms of everyday use, to clean up spillages immediately and avoid placing hot items directly on the wood surface. The obvious solution is to use chopping board or something similar.
It is important that the kitchen has a sufficient extraction fan or well-ventilated area when using timber veneers. The veneer may fail faster than you expect if the glue is not properly cured.
You can choose between polyurethane coatings based on solvent or oil for timber flooring. Oil-based finish coats can be repaired whenever needed, even though the latter is more durable. It is easy to fix a scratch or scuff by applying a patch. The floor will also need to be recoated completely every three to seven year.
Timber kitchen design ideas
There are many wooden kitchen ideas that you can be inspired by, regardless of whether your materials and furniture come from Ikea or another supplier. Here are a few examples.
Addition of wood to a predominantly white kitchen gives it a warm and earthy feel. The contrast between the woods used on the floor and upper cabinets is just right in this case.
1. White And Timber Kitchen
Timber softens industrial materials like tiles, concrete, and steel. The dark hardwood floors in this kitchen add a touch elegance and contrast beautifully with the lighter shades of timber cabinetry.
2. The Industrial Kitchen
Timber softens industrial materials like tiles, concrete, and steel. The dark hardwood floors in this kitchen add a touch elegance and contrast beautifully with the lighter shades of timber cabinetry.
3. The Hamptons Kitchen
Timber is the perfect choice to achieve the Hamptons-style balance of elegance and casual summer living.
4) Shaker Style Kitchen
The Shaker-style free-standing unit with its minimalist and clean style is the ideal partner for this timber kitchen benchtop. Together, they create a traditional look.
5) Rustic Timber Kitchen
This country kitchen is all about repurposing. The island bench is from a different era. However, the old farm equipment light fittings were salvaged. The wood contrasts with the white shelving and walls.
6) Light vs. dark
This example shows how a dark polished hardwood floor looks great with light colored walls and cabinets.
7) Scandi Kitchen
Scandinavian kitchens are about the style, minimalism, and cool colors of the Scandinavian landscape. In this example, the use of wood creates a marriage between nature and modern functionality.