Walnut is a classy wood usually associated with high-quality craftsmanship. It’s a darker-colored with medium hardness wood and intricate grain patterns that a lot of people find charming and for good reason. In particular black walnut and darker shade make the grains stand out more which is sure to give your kitchen a look that your guests won’t forget any time soon.

While walnut is not the hardest wood on the market, it is good enough to withstand regular use and avoid dents and other common issues coming with regular usage. It is also more water-resistant than other porous wood options (birch, for example) so you can clean with a wet cloth without worrying that it may swell or cause other damage.

While more expensive, walnut kitchen cabinets are sure to last for decades, being made from solid wood. You also don’t need to worry about synthetic components and the environment, if you choose to go for natural wood. Keep in mind that walnut veneer is also a similarly-looking option, but with different proprieties, so make sure to inquire about this to your supplier.

Walnut is a dense and durable wood that is sure to last you for decades and can resist most daily activities you would do in your kitchen. Its beautiful, wavy patterns are unmistakable, so it will provide character, elegance, and a luxurious feel to your room.

It is also less heavy than other options, so it is easy to work with. Walnut also provides decent water-resistant properties, so it can be cleaned up without issues.

The most popular one is as you may have already guessed, white. It pairs well with the natural dark shades of walnut, so it is a great choice for many kitchens. Together with gray, walnut cabinets will make your room elegant and clean, provided sufficient illumination is present.

Blue is also a great choice for more traditional-styled homes. Here dark walnut cabinets can make your kitchen feel regal. Yellow accents also work well with this type of cabinets. As a general rule, lighter shades are preferred to create a contrast with the natural blackness that walnut provides. Make sure your kitchen is lighted appropriately, so you can make the best out of this contrast.

Pros

• Strong and reliable, it will last a long time with occasional cleaning.
• Beautiful natural design provided by wavy grain structures, which will be highlighted even more by a clear finish.
• Intricate carving designs are possible.

Cons

• Usually expensive.
• Possible large variations of color even on the same board.

Cherry has a classic, timeless look that fits well in both modern and traditional homes It is considered a hardwood, but it’s a bit softer than other variants in this category. It has a rich grain structure with more uniform patterns, as opposed to the wavy and more intricate patterns seen on walnut. It also tends to darken over time (a matter of months to a year) so it will be a shade darken than what you originally bought.

Not much color variants are available for cherry, its classic red-brown-yellowish look being the most common. On the other hand, while darker in nature, walnut can also be found in lighter shades. Both kinds of wood can be lacquered for a more elegant feel and are easy to work with. While you may find slight variations in prices, both are relatively expensive, so it all comes down to your preferences.

Prices can vary a lot by country and size of your cabinet. We recommend taking a look at some of the following:

• modcabinetry
• canyoncreek
• Ikea
• cabinetstogo
• wholesalescabinets
• Amazon
• eBay
• Alibaba

You can also take a look at our Top 10 cabinet suppliers in China.

As we’ve already mentioned, costs can vary greatly depending on many factors, such as the size of the cabinet, color shade whether it is a stock or a customized one, so it is best to ask your supplier for an estimate depending on your needs. Average costs go from $50 to $240 per square meter, with a few thousand dollars for an average-sized kitchen.

There are many possible design combinations you can play with depending on your taste, let’s take a look at some of them:

Minimalist – simple slab-like cabinets with minimal hardware intrusion for maximum elegance.

Pantry – lots of storage space and room for appliances in the middle, combining convenience with functionality.

Luxurious – for a maximum luxury look, combine a lighter shade of walnut for the bottom cabinets with lacquered uppers.

Mixed – combine walnut cabinets with other variants for a beautiful contrast.

Rustic – lighters nuances of natural-looking walnut with no stains highlight the beautiful grain patterns for an authentic rustic look.

Doors

We recommend taking the whole cabinet set from a single supplier, to make sure all pieces fit together nicely. This is to keep the smooth and even appearance across the room and keep inconsistencies away. In the eventuality that you need to replace one, you should ask your original supplier for help.

• Cathedral door – with a single raised arched panel in a unique cathedral style. Used in more sophisticated kitchen designs.
• Shaker door – a simple design with a recessed center panel specific to the Shakers style. It fits well with other furniture of this type and modern designs.
• Slab door – with a bare face, this type of door is a great choice for various types of kitchen designs but mostly preferred in contemporary styles in which smooth, clean surfaces are the main attraction.
• Square door – with a traditional raised rectangular center. A popular choice because of its simplicity and versatility. It will not attract too much attention but will prevent your kitchen from looking undecorated.
• Eyebrow door – a classic door with a raised and arched panel. That arch can fit well in both traditional and contemporary styles, depending of course, on the rest of your kitchen design.

Color

Choosing a color depends on the overall style you want to go with, generally, there are two categories:

Darker shades – fit for modern and contemporary kitchens. Give a luxurious and elegant feel to your kitchen;

Lighter shades – a better choice for rustic or traditional kitchens, they give a sense of cleanness and brightness, with proper illumination;

Countertops

Walnut is quite a sturdy material so it can handle most countertops. Keep in mind the size of the slabs and the color that would work best with your shade of walnut.

• Granite – considered luxurious, granite countertops have recently become more affordable and are increasingly used in all types of homes. They are durable and heat resistant and come in a variety of colors;
• Marble – on the high-end spectrum, this option looks striking but it is not as durable as granite and is quite susceptible to scars and cuts;
• Quartz – an extremely durable material with a sleek look. Countertops made of quartz do not require sealing, so you are free to prepare food directly on top of them.
• Concrete – extremely hard and durable, you won’t see cuts or scratches on its surface. It is also quite heavy and not many styles are available on the market. It may be a good option in professional or industrial kitchens.
• Laminate – preferred for its surprising resilience and the multitude of colors and styles available. This is one of the more affordable options and is quite easy to install.

Hardware

Depending on your preferences and kitchen style, you’ve got a multitude of options available, here are some:

Tubular bar pulls – the most sought-after handles, usually silver, they are very convenient and versatile, creating an eye-pleasing symmetry.

Flat bar pulls – another popular choice, they can be used for both cabinet doors and drawers, for a consistent look. They lean towards the modern side, so the flat bar pulls are a good option for contemporary kitchens.

Glass knobs – an elegant option, the glass knobs offer a vintage and reflective look and come off as a classy choice for any kitchen style. If you are worried about durability, you can opt for acrylic knobs, which are similar in design but are a bit more durable and affordable.

Metal knobs – if you want to add to the clean look, those plain knobs may be the choice for you. Their simplistic design is meant to fit in and direct attention towards other, flashier, design elements (i.e. open-shelving decors).

Bronze cup pulls – preferred in farmhouse and rustic kitchen styles, they offer to create a contrast between the white and their darker colors (you can also opt for black).