Wood is a basic element of all construction and design. Like black or white colors, wood is welcome in any room and any style. It’s a staple material and foundational to design.
That said, different grains and colors fall in and out of favor depending on interior design trends. So, what are the wood trends in 2024? Come with us and discover the trends that are making wood a must-have in 2024.
Warmth
Everything in design has been leaning toward warmth for several years. Warmer colors, softer textures, and muted finishes all contribute to a sense of warmth and coziness that prevails. That trend continues into 2024 and beyond.
The same goes for wood. While the organic nature of wood makes any type or color add warmth, wood trends favor oak, maple, cherry, and walnut with undertones of beige, honey, pink, and cheery yellow. Anything with gray or white undertones or accents is considered cooler.
For those looking to add a touch of luxury to their kitchen, walnut is a top contender. Its deep, rich tones bring sophistication and depth to cabinetry, making it a popular choice for high-end designs. The unique, flowing grain pattern of walnut adds a sense of movement to cabinet fronts, enhancing the visual appeal of the space.
Cabinet Suggestions: Walnut |
| For those looking to add a touch of luxury to their kitchen, walnut is a top contender. Its deep, rich tones bring sophistication and depth to cabinetry, making it a popular choice for high-end designs. The unique, flowing grain pattern of walnut adds a sense of movement to cabinet fronts, enhancing the visual appeal of the space. |
Florence Honey Shaker
Walnut Frameless
Vintage & Rustic
A love for all things vintage is taking design by storm. Whether it’s antiques for decor or vintage-inspired design styles (granny chic, steampunk, or art deco), anything and everything from the bygone era is in. Rustic also falls into this category with the resurgence of toile fabrics, chintz upholstery, and farmhouse aesthetics.
The great thing about vintage and rustic styles today is that it’s encouraged to mash them up with other styles to add a hint of modern and make them more accessible. Balance vintage drapes with modern shaped furnishings. Or add contemporary quartz countertops to traditional cabinets.
Cabinet Suggestions: Dark Stain |
| Darker shades add a touch of bold elegance to kitchen spaces and are well-suited for traditional and transitional designs. The wood’s smooth texture and rich tones give cabinets a high-end, polished appearance. |
Ambrose Raised Panel Shaker
Mahogany Glazed
Rustic Shaker
Texture & Character
Another hot trend of interior design in 2024 is personality. Adding some individuality doens’t have to mean making your space feel kitschy. Character and personality can be as simple as a pop of color, unusual shape, favorite decor item, or organic element.
The texture and character of wood can be a great way to introduce personality to spaces. Knots, heavy grains, or reclaimed pieces all bring the warmth of humanity to a design. Hickory, alder, oak, and pine are all great options for a bit of natural personality.
Cabinet Suggestions: Hickory |
| Hickory is making waves in 2024 as a top choice for those who love a rustic or country-inspired kitchen. Known for its dramatic color variations and bold, striking grain patterns, hickory adds a distinctive character to cabinetry that sets it apart from more uniform wood types. Its natural strength and durability make it well-suited for busy kitchens, while the unique appearance brings warmth and texture to the space. |
Carolina Hickory
Natural Hickory
Dark vs Light
With warmth being the standard for design in 2024, you might think that lighter woods are the preferred material. But this year, darker woods are making a comeback. The concept of “latte decorating” takes the warm, creamy depths of a cup of coffee and turns it into design—and it’s perfect for choosing darker woods.
Lighter woods with warm undertones will continue to be in demand for minimalist-leaning designs. Maple, ash, white oak, or pine are great choices for lighter woods.
| Cabinet Suggestions: Oak is Back! |
| White oak is a top choice for kitchen cabinets in 2024 due to its light, natural tones and versatile grain pattern. Its popularity is driven by the desire for a bright and airy kitchen space. The wood’s neutral color complements a variety of styles, from modern farmhouse to Scandinavian, and pairs well with other materials like quartz countertops and brass hardware. White oak’s durability also makes it a practical choice for high-traffic kitchens. |
Color
Color and wood are not mutually exclusive. Use a colored wood stain on unfinished wood to get some color and let the grain show through. These come in every color of the rainbow and easily become the focal point of the space.
Minwax named a beautiful blue stain, Bay Blue, as their color of the year. It’s blue with a hint of green that really makes the wood grain pop.
Mid-Tones
We’ve talked about darker and lighter woodgrain trends 2024, but the hottest wood tone this year lands right in the middle. Not too dark and not too light, not too warm and not too cool, the mid-tone woods like ash, beech, walnut, and oak are winners in every design.
The mid-toned woods are champs at blending into a neutral color scheme without fading into the background. But they also hold their own without being overshadowed by other elements of the design.
Cabinet Suggestions: Mid-Tones |
| Mid-toned wood is gaining popularity in 2024 for those who want a perfect balance between light and dark finishes. These woods offer a warm, inviting look that adds depth without overwhelming the space. The versatility of mid-toned wood makes it suitable for a wide range of kitchen styles, from modern and contemporary to traditional and transitional. Woods like oak, cherry, and maple often fall into this category when stained with medium finishes, offering a rich yet natural appearance. |
Wood remains a cornerstone of design, celebrated for its versatility and enduring appeal across various styles and spaces. Embracing richer, cozier hues and textures that evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia puts wood choices right on trend.
As trends evolve, wood solidifies its role not just as a fundamental material but as a key element in creating spaces that feel both modern and intimately personal.