Midtone wood cabinets are trending in kitchen design right now, offering a warm and inviting look perfect for a variety of home styles. This week we’re showcasing three beautiful kitchens that feature midtone wood cabinetry to inspire your next remodel or new construction project. Read on for stunning photos and details on achieving this stylish and timeless look.
An Overview of Midtone Wood Kitchen Cabinets
Midtone wood cabinets strike a perfect balance between light and dark stains, providing a versatile neutral backdrop that works with any style. Often featuring stain colors like brown, tan, gray, or greige, midtone wood cabinets exude both classic elegance and casual warmth. The moderately toned wood grains add organic texture without overwhelming a space.
Midtone woods like maple, oak, cherry, and ash have grains that read as both soft and rich. When stained in on-trend midtone colors, the wood grain variations shine through beautifully. Midtone cabinets feel familiar, inviting, and timeless.
This versatile neutral cabinet color pairs seamlessly with any countertop material from white marble to quartz to black granite. Midtone wood also coordinates beautifully with existing flooring ranging from hardwoods to tile to linoleum.
Midtone cabinetry provides a flexible stylistic backdrop that works in traditional, contemporary, rustic, industrial, cottage, and farmhouse spaces. Whether you prefer painted walls or exposed brick, midtone wood cabinets will enhance your design aesthetic.
Benefits of Choosing Midtone Wood Kitchen Cabinets
- Provides a warm, welcoming look and feel
- Offers versatility to match any home’s architecture and interior design
- Classic and timeless visual style suits any kitchen
- Visually expands smaller kitchen spaces
- Softens and warms ultra-modern kitchens
- Complements both light and dark countertops
- Available in a wide spectrum of on-trend stain colors
- Shows off the natural beauty of wood grains
Kitchen #1: Rustic Farmhouse Chic
This beauty perfectly balances rustic farmhouse charm with modern amenities and styling. The midtone wood cabinets offer a casual and inviting feel that suits the home’s rural location and family gathering aesthetic.
Cabinets & Wood Selection
The homeowners selected quarter sawn white oak cabinets stained in a medium tobacco glaze for their kitchen renovation. This timeless wood and stain combo adds organic texture and helps ground the airy, expansive kitchen.
White oak offers incredible durability along with subtly striking grain patterns. When stained in warm midtone tobacco glaze, the wood tones read as relaxed and welcoming. The colors blend seamlessly with the kitchen’s wood ceiling beams and custom wood vent hood.
The matte finish plays up the oak’s nuances while minimizing glare and fingerprints. Frosted glass cabinet fronts provide concealed storage with a seamless look. Simple cabinet hardware in an oil-rubbed bronze finish blends nicely without competing.
Work Triangle Flow
This kitchen utilizes a open galley layout with freestanding furniture-like pieces that maximize workflow. The generous work triangle connects the 6-burner gas range set in a custom wood vent hood, the oversized farmhouse sink, and the spacious French door refrigerator.
A large kitchen island provides extra prep space and casual dining for family meals. Open shelving offers easy access to frequently used cooking essentials. A separate beverage station makes refreshing drinks easy.
Stylistic Elements
Several rustic farmhouse elements complement the midtone cabinets in this kitchen renovation. The expansive white oak wood ceiling adds architectural interest along with reclaimed wood open shelving. A 60-inch gas range provides restaurant-quality cooking in this family chef’s dream kitchen.
Warm touches like the antique-inspired pendant lights, ceramic chicken decor, and framed vintage signage add vintage flair. The distressed wood dining table and mix of painted Windsor chairs create a comfortable eating area. Abundant windows, skylights, and French doors bathe the space in natural light.
Design Takeaways
This airy farmhouse kitchen proves that midtone wood cabinets offer incredible versatility. The white oak stain color feels light and casual against the white shiplap backsplash and wood ceiling. Tobaccos glazes add depth while allowing the wood’s natural patina to shine through.
Frosted glass cabinets, light granite countertops, and stainless appliances keep the look fresh and current. Rustic touches like the reclaimed shelving and eclectic decor anchor the kitchen’s country charm. This look blends the best of contemporary convenience and vintage farmhouse coziness.
Kitchen #2: Industrial Loft Chic in the City
This urban loft kitchen stuns with its architectural details and bold black accents. The warm midtone wood cabinets provide welcoming contrast to the stainless steel, concrete, and ebony elements.
Cabinet & Wood Selection
The kitchen was renovated using rift sawn white oak cabinets treated with a gray wash stain. This straight wood grain oak offers a subtle linear pattern that complements the kitchen’s modern style. The gray stain has brown undertones that add warmth to balance the sleek finishes.
A touch of shine from the natural oil finish plays up the oak grain’s texture. Frosted glass doors on the upper cabinets provide an airy feel. The lower cabinets are accented by horizontal ebony veneers for crisp modern contrast. Stainless steel handles finish the sophisticated look.
Work Triangle Workflow
This compact galley kitchen maximizes efficiency with careful planning. The workspace connects the stainless steel hood, extra deep sink, and clean-lined refrigerator. A spacious kitchen island provides additional prep space and casual dining.
Open shelving, narrow upper cabinets and a full-height pantry conserve space while offering stellar storage. A dedicated under counter beverage fridge makes entertaining effortless. The multi-level island design defines the cooking and dining zones.
Stylistic Touches
Industrial elements like exposed brick, black accents, and recessed lighting play off the midtone oak cabinets in this stylish loft kitchen. Touches like the stainless range hood, ebony cabinets, and smoked glass pendants add striking contrast.
The massive kitchen island with black quartzite waterfall countertop makes a dramatic statement. Concrete floors and exposed ductwork amplify the urban loft aesthetic. A mix of counter stools and upholstered dining chairs provide casual gathering spaces.
Key Takeaways
This kitchen proves midtone oak cabinets can anchor an ultramodern space while providing warmth. The gray washed oak softens the sleek stainless, concrete and ebony accents. Open Shelving balances the cabinets for an airy loft feel.
Frosted glass doors, hidden lighting and minimal hardware keep the focus on the beautiful finishes and architectural elements. The harmonious mix of materials and neutrals creates a welcoming atmosphere in this stunning urban kitchen.
Kitchen #3: Transitional Style Blends Old and New
This exquisite kitchen remodel flawlessly blends classic and contemporary elements. The midtone wood cabinets bridge past and present with their nostalgic stained finish and integrated modern conveniences.
Cabinet & Wood Selections
The transitional kitchen cabinets use quarter sawn red oak treated with a ceruse or “pickled” whitewash finish. This unique finish enhances the oak grain’s subtle variations. The hand-applied whitewash stain provides aged charm while allowing the wood’s inner warmth to show through.
Glass fronts and doors provide discreet access to wall and base cabinet contents. Stainless hardware subtly contrasts the ceruse finish for a touch of sleek modernity. Soft-close doors and drawers ensure smooth, quiet access and enhance functionality.
Work Triangle Workflow
The efficient work triangle aligns the stainless range set in a stately wood hood, the deep single-bowl undermount sink, and the built-in refrigerator. A spacious kitchen island topped with white marble provides extra prep space and casual dining.
A separate beverage center makes entertaining seamless. Open shelving, narrow upper cabinets and pull-out shelves maximize storage capacity while minimizing visual clutter. The oak wood vent hood mirrors the cabinets beautifully.
Stylistic Touches
This transitional style kitchen artfully blends modern conveniences with vintage inspired architecture and finishes. Details like the beaded inset cabinetry, ceramic tile backsplash, and leaded glass cabinets nod to the home’s history.
The dramatic stainless hood contrasts beautifully with the pickled oak cabinets. Hanging pendant lights, upholstered barstools, and built-in banquette seating create a welcoming gathering space. Abundant windows, classical trimwork, and neutral hues reinforce the timeless warmth.
Design Takeaways
This lovely kitchen shows how ceruse oak cabinets can provide the best of both worlds. The whitewashed finish looks light, bright and refreshed while allowing the oak’s natural richness to shine through. Mirrored wood details tie the whole look together beautifully.
Careful blending of antique furnishings like the farmhouse sink, subway tile, and leaded glass cabinets with stainless appliances and clean lines results in a perfectly balanced kitchen that feels aesthetically current yet comfortably familiar. The whitewashed oak cabinets strike that perfect chord.
Achieving a Midtone Wood Kitchen Cabinet Look
Ready to bring this popular look into your own kitchen? Here are some top tips for beautifully executing midtone wood kitchen cabinets in your next design project.
Selecting the Right Wood Species
Opt for mid-range wood species that take stain well and highlight beautiful grain patterns. Good choices include:
- Oak – Red Oak features dramatic grains while White Oak has more subtle linear patterns
- Maple – Hard Canadian varieties have fine yet pronounced grain patterns
- Cherry – Grains range from fine to wavy to give depth
- Ash – Features bold grain variations similar to oak
- Alder – Soft, straight subtle grains let stain colors shine
Visit cabinet showrooms to view different species stained in midtone colors to find your perfect match.
Choosing the Right Stain & Finish
The stain and finish define the final look and feel. Consider:
- Color tones – midrange like chestnut, coffee, tobacco, slate gray
- Gloss levels – opt for satin or semi-gloss for durability and easy cleaning
- Distressing – hand scraping or wire brushing can enhance vintage vibe
- Glazing – dark wax applications over basic stains add richer contrast
Combine staining, glazing and finishing for added dimension. Ask to see full finish samples on wood to evaluate.
Design Elements to Complement Midtone Cabinets
- Countertops – match wood tones with engineered quartz or granite with brown, black or gray veining. Crisp white surface materials also pair beautifully.
- Backsplashes – try natural stone slabs or ceramic tile in creamy neutrals or bold black. Avoid heavy patterns.
- Flooring – hardwoods in similar midtones or slightly darker hues work seamlessly. Concrete or ceramic tile also complements nicely.
- Lighting – Brass, nickel or iron pendant lights and fixtures reinforce vintage or modern aesthetics.
- Hardware – Brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze knobs and handles reinforce the warm wood tones.
Integrating Storage Solutions
Take full advantage of base, wall and island cabinets along with these storage solutions:
- Roll-out trays and shelves – maximize usable space
- Tip out trays – corral small items like spices neatly
- Pull-out cabinetry – provides easy access to everything
- Drawer inserts – customize for utensils, cutting boards, etc
- Blind corner organizers – maximize awkward corners
- Appliance garages – discretely tuck small appliances away
With proper planning, stunning midtone wood kitchen cabinets can provide both beauty and function for years to come. The versatile neutral tones, rich grains and wide range of complementary finishes allow personalized designs suitable for families, chefs and entertainers alike. As these three gorgeous kitchens show, midtone wood cabinets offer timeless warmth and style perfect for any home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Midtone Wood Kitchen Cabinets
- What types of wood are best for midtone cabinets? Some top choices include oak, maple, cherry, walnut, and hickory. These all stain well and highlight beautiful wood grains. Oak and maple are most common.
- What stain colors qualify as midtone? Colors in the medium-range brown, tan, chestnut, gray and greige family are considered midtones. They are neutral versatiles that aren’t too light or dark.
- How do I choose the right midtone stain color? View stain swatches on wood samples at cabinet showrooms. Compare to your counters, flooring and wall colors to find the most harmonious pairings. Lighting affects perception of stain colors.
- Should I use a glaze on midtone cabinets? Glazing can provide extra dimension by highlighting the grain. A dark wax applied over basic stain creates rich contrast. Skip glazing if you prefer a flat, uniform cabinet color.
- What countertop colors go best with midtone cabinets? Counters in white, light gray, neutral granite, brown/black quartz and concrete complement beautifully. Avoid competing wood tones. Darker counters will make midtone cabinets appear lighter.
- What backsplash looks best with midtone wood cabinets? Natural stone like marble or travertine works well, along with ceramic or porcelain tile. Simple subway tile designs or solid slabs pair best. Avoid heavily patterned or multicolored backsplashes.
- Should I finish midtone cabinets with high-gloss? That depends on your preferred style. Glossy finishes highlight wood grain but show more fingerprints. Satin or semi-gloss offer a subtle sheen that is more resistant to marks and glare while still showing off the stain.
- How do I give midtone cabinets an aged, distressed look? Hand scraping, worm holes, wire brushing, and rub through techniques can artificially distress cabinets. Glazing or expires paint techniques will also add aged character to new wood.
- Can I paint over existing cabinets to achieve a midtone look? Yes, with proper preparation. Use degreaser and sanding to degloss and rough up the surface before priming and painting. Expect painting to conceal rather than enhance the existing wood grain.
- Where should I use midtone cabinets in a kitchen design? Midtones provide a warm, neutral background. Use them on the main cabinets, island and hood cover. Add painted accent cabinets or try darker stains on lower cabinets to create definition.
Conclusion
The versatile beauty of midtone wood kitchen cabinets makes them a top trend with timeless staying power. Whether your home leans traditional or contemporary, a medium wood stain can add organic richness grounded in nature. Paying careful attention to cabinet style, wood species, finish and complementary elements results in a warm, welcoming kitchen designed to be enjoyed for years to come.
