11 Oak Kitchen Designs to Inspire Your Next Project

Oak kitchens are back, with natural wood cabinetry better than ever. In recent years, painted cabinets have been leading the way in the kitchen, but oak has re-emerged as an unwavering favourite for contemporary and classic spaces.

Designers are once more coveting the relaxed, natural appeal of oak, whether it’s honey-toned woods for a light and bright space, or darker hues for a cosy feel. Because that’s the thing about oak: whether you’re looking for a traditional oak kitchen or something more contemporary, this versatile wood suits every aesthetic.

Discover 11 of our favourite refreshing and inspired oak kitchens that show this is a wood worth exploring.

What better than a traditional oak kitchen in a timeless Cotswolds farmhouse? In this space designed by Laura Butler-Madden, oak cabinets line the walls, with our Rotunda Cabinet Knobs, Sutton Cabinet Handles, Brindley Wine Racks, Cotswold Pot Rail and Gallery Rail and Handsworth Shelf Brackets, all in our dark aged brass (DAB) finish, serving as the functional yet refined hardware. Rustic stone flooring adds to the traditional farmhouse feel, while marble countertops add a touch of luxury.

If you’re wondering about the best colours to pair with oak kitchen cabinets, take inspiration from this traditional oak kitchen by Emily Pueringer Design. Green and white floral-print tiles form the splashback, complementing the white and natural oak kitchen cabinets. Further green accents are found in painted archways, while touches of brass with our Queslett Cup Pulls, Latchford Appliance Pulls and Cotswold Ball Cabinet Knobs in our aged brass (BEL) finish and our Regency Diamond Grille in our satin brass unlacquered (SBUL) finish, add to the traditional, timeless look.

Oak may have classic, traditional connotations, but this New Jersey home by Avalon Interiors is a lesson in how to modernise an oak kitchen. Deep blue cabinetry contrasts with light oak, while striking marble and feature lighting add a contemporary twist. A touch of brass with our Arbar Appliance Pull in our aged brass (BEL) finish and MIX Cabinet Knobs in our matt black (MBL) and aged brass (BEL) finishes tying the traditional and modern aesthetics together perfectly.

Amanda Teal gives us another example of how statement lighting can modernise an oak kitchen. Complementing the colours of the marble, oak, and brass accents, the lighting acts as an eye-catching anchor. White subway tiles contribute to the modern aesthetic, while the oak kitchen cabinets with our Latchford Cabinet Handles and Cotswold Ball Cabinet Knobs in our dark bronze (DBZ) finish create a timeless look.

For this family home renovation, Rehabitat Interiors chose dark oak kitchen cabinets, creating a cosy and grounded space and differentiating the kitchen from the dining area and living space on either side. A light wooden kitchen bench and softly painted walls and ceiling contrast with the dark oak, adding a sense of calm to the space. Though new, it feels lived in, helped by our Arbar Cabinet Handles, Withenshaw Cup Pulls and Cotswold Ball Cabinet Knobs in our aged brass (BEL) finish.

This oak kitchen design by Justine Alexandra Design was all about layered luxury. Warm woods and rich marble countertops make a statement, while light, airy curtains and softer shades add balance, and reflect the leafy Lake Ontario setting. Elevated entertaining spaces were important for accommodating large family gatherings, as seen in the curved central island with our Sparkbrook T-bar Handle in our polished nickel plate (PNP) finish.

In this modern home in the Kentish countryside, the owners wanted to add a bit of character and warmth. A light oak kitchen with clean lines was the perfect choice to complement the modern build, while adding that all-important charm. House Nine built on this feeling of lived-in charm with our MIX Plain Pull Handles, Cotswold Ball Cabinet Knobs, and Hockey Shelf Brackets, all in our aged brass (BEL) finish.

In this coastal, British Columbia home, designer Jenny Martin blended the house’s period architecture with a fresh, contemporary palette. That led to a light oak kitchen with crisp white walls and large glass doors that, when opened, create a truly indoor-outdoor space. In keeping with the traditional architecture, brass was used as a timeless touch, found in pendant lighting, tapware, and our 888 Bin Pull Drawer Handles and Bournville Cabinet Knobs, all in our aged brass (BEL) finish.

Creating a kitchen that was the true heart of the home was a priority in this Barrington, Illinois, renovation by Kate Marker Interiors. They opened up the space to create a seamless flow between living, dining and kitchen, using layered neutrals throughout each space. The light oak kitchen cabinets lend themselves well to this aesthetic, while textured rugs and brass accents including our Kingsheath Cabinet Handles and Kingsheath Cabinet Knobs in our aged brass (BEL) finish add warmth.

Lauren Sullivan from Well by Design is known for her European-inspired aesthetic, so it’s no surprise that when it came to designing her own Tennessee home, she followed that same thread. She used a mix of old and new to create a lived-in feel, seen in the shaker oak kitchen cabinets with statement pendant lighting, marble countertops and textural rugs. Our Longbridge Pull Handles, Latchford Cabinet Handles and Latchford Cabinet Knobs in our aged brass (BEL) finish add to the timeless, European style.

This kitchen, designed by Monika Hibbs, shows that sometimes, just a touch of oak can have a big impact. A tall oak kitchen cabinet and oak shelf complement the muted taupe shaker kitchen cabinetry below, with a shell-textured tiled splashback and subtle striped wallpaper adding further depth. Tying it all together are our Kingsheath Cabinet Handles and Cotswold Ball Cabinet Knobs, both in our aged brass (BEL) finish.

For more kitchen inspiration, find us on Pinterest.