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Pre-pandemic, white kitchen cabinets were the norm. But being in our homes 24-7 changed all that. Now we’re craving something a bit more natural: warm wood cabinets. Luxury appliance company Bertazzoni recently called out the cupboard style in its 2021 trend report, and based on all the spaces we’ve witnessed so far this year, we can confirm this reno idea is here to stay, at least in the form of lighter, honey-hued options. Here are three different varieties to consider before you begin your next big project.
White Rift Oak
James Veal and Christine Stucker, the married cofounders behind design firm Stewart-Schäfer, love this option because there isn’t a lot of movement in the grain, giving it a cleaned-up appearance. It looks best paired with unique hardware, but skip the brass and opt for chunky handles in the same type of wood instead.
Douglas Fir
Inspired by Japanese design, Sara Yates Mora focused on incorporating vertical-grain Douglas fir everywhere she could in her kitchen (the only exceptions are the lamp beam and maple floors). The caramel-tinged pick exudes warmth, especially when paired with airy lantern lighting.
Birch Plywood
Most impressively, this ultra-minimalist route doesn’t sacrifice style (the pink-y blond tone gives it character), and the material only cost around $2,000 for this space. You’d never guess it came straight from the hardware store.