Wood back as top kitchen trend

March 10, 2021

Perhaps part of a pandemic-induced longing for a return to traditional values, wood is making a big comeback this year in new kitchen trends, according to HGTV, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), and a top Canadian cabinet supplier AvA Kitchens.
A recent HGTV update outlook on kitchen trends for 2021 said that even reclaimed wood is becoming popular in kitchen makeovers, and suggested that wood cabinets, hardwood floors and even—gulp—butcher block tables could be gaining ground.
Most of the HGTV wood cabinet examples were sleek, painted units without handles.
AvA Kitchens, in its Trend Report for 2021, said that wood Shaker-style and slab door cabinets are two of the most popular styles chosen by homeowners for their kitchens. AvA’s latest take is a hybrid of these styles—a slab door with a narrow, raised, Shaker-inspired edge.
The wood cabinets can be painted or left as natural grain, according to AvA.
“Natural wood is making a comeback in 2021, especially in traditional or transitional designs. Mixing these textures with other neutrals such as whites and greys creates an airy palette. Showcasing the beauty of natural wood with clean-lined designs and contemporary finishes will keep the kitchen looking chic, but still bring warmth to the space,” said AvA Kitchens president Dave Marcus.
NKBA’s Design Trends Study 2021, an annual survey of designers and contractors across North America, also discovered a new interest in wood for kitchens.
The survey found 52 per cent of respondents believe wood grain will be the most popular for kitchen cabinets in 2021. Full painted wood is also seen as a top trend for cabinets. The preferred tone/color is light, at 70 per cent, with the clear majority opting for a contrasting colour on the countertop.
Kitchen flooring materials for the near future were led by hardwood or engineered wood—chosen by 50 per cent of those surveyed by NKBA.