We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
The kitchen can be a tricky room to balance due to its utilitarian purpose. While the living room and bedroom are about boosting comfort with simple decorations like curtains and blankets, the kitchen must be functional, sanitary, and spacious. For this reason, glassy and metallic elements tend to rule the appliances and countertops. Bright lighting and cool, neutral hues enhance the kitchen’s clean and calm energy, but with too much metal and stonework, these features can feel too clinical and disharmonious in aesthetic.
Counter an overabundance of coldness and solid, reflective surfaces with the grooved textures and warm colors of wooden decorations — think of it as adding a touch of the forest to the mountains. Wood is effortlessly elegant, and most items made of this material serve a practical purpose in the kitchen. For example, displaying your cutting board as wall decor adds personality to the kitchen without taking up countertop space. Using a wooden salad bowl to hold whole, unripe fruits like melons and bananas can help them reach maturity quicker than storing them in the fridge. Freestanding furniture, such as tables and cupboards, can bring vintage charm and flexibility to the kitchen.
Balancing wood and stone in the kitchen
Wood is in stark contrast to metallic and reflective surfaces, but that doesn’t always mean it will bring balance. There needs to be some intentionality with how these polar opposites interact, so it’s important to find items that unify both materials. Metal bar stool frames feel less industrial with leather, wicker, or wooden seats (or opt for wooden saddle-style bar stools as a cheaper alternative). Reed diffusers and wooden utensils bring out the beauty of ceramic jars, and bamboo lids tend to soften glass jars and candles. Knife blocks intersect wood and metal into a single, unintrusive unit.
Another way to harmonize wood with cool colors and materials is by picking an appropriate stain and finish. Muted autumn colors (dark brown, rusty red, and gold) pair well with grays, so keep an eye out for items made of walnut, mahogany, and cherry. Beachy colors (pastel yellow, tan, bright red, and orange) suit white and blue-forward kitchen schemes, so consider beech and acacia woods in this case. Olive wood is perfect for kitchens with a mix of silver and gold accents.
Beyond wood itself, finding decorations that can mimic this material works as well. Woven textiles, such as the waffle weave cotton dish towels and cushioned non-slip mat on Amazon, add natural texture to the kitchen. Decorating open shelves with potted plants or framed artwork instantly makes your kitchen look more refined. With a pop of woodsy colors and textures, you can melt the ice from any scenery.
