What to consider when choosing a headset?
Choosing a kitchen in wood tones is not much different from choosing any other kitchen set.
4 things to look out for:
- Material... The cheapest wooden kitchens are made from MDF or chipboard, the most expensive and durable kitchens are made from solid wood. There are also mixed models - when the frame is made of MDF or chipboard, and the facades and countertops are made of solid wood.
- Style... Even wood grain kitchen sets come in different styles: classic, modern, loft, scandi, country, provence. Decide on the most suitable direction for yourself, only then order kitchen furniture.
- Color... The classic rule is that the smaller the area of the room, the lighter the furniture should be. Natural wood or its imitation is no exception. Light varieties include oak, beech, ash. To dark ones - walnut, cherry, cedar.
- The form... Kitchens are straight, parallel, angular, u-shaped and island. The final choice depends on the size of the room and your personal preferences: someone leaves more space for the dining table and recreation area, for someone a spacious work surface is important, someone relies on spaciousness.
Another important detail - fittings. Ultimately, it is she who determines the comfort of using the kitchen. The better the fittings, the more pleasant it will be for you to cook: the cabinets will open and close smoothly, the drawers will roll out and slide back in on their own. No unnecessary sounds and unpleasant pops.
Advice! Choosing between a solid wood kitchen with inexpensive fittings and an MDF model with expensive guides and hinges, give preference to the second option.
What material is better to choose?
A solid wood kitchen is far from the only option for a wooden kitchen. We propose to figure out what materials are still made of furniture and what are their advantages or disadvantages.
Solid wood kitchen
Pros of natural wood:
- Environmental friendliness... You don't have to worry about harmful volatiles: 100% natural materials do not emit anything like this.
- Appearance... Cozy wooden facades cannot be compared to any other in beauty. Due to the pliability of wood, their design can be absolutely anything: from straight, strict forms to amazing carved elements.
- Durability... A properly made wood-grain kitchen will stand in the interior for at least 15 years, although this period is even underestimated. The ease of restoration will provide your furniture with a second or even a third life, which means this acquisition for many years to come.
- Relevance... The shape of the kitchen may go out of fashion, but the wood itself - never! In order not to say goodbye to the kitchen in a short time because of the appearance, choose the most neutral and versatile design.
Cons of solid wood furniture:
- The cost... Of all the ideas for a kitchen made of wood, a kitchen made of any kind of wood will be 100% more expensive.
- Heavy weight... Unlike glued chipboard or thin plywood, wood weighs much more, which complicates the process of transportation and installation.
- Finicky care... In order for the wood to live as long as possible, not to swell and dry out, you will have to maintain a constant humidity of 65-70%, protect it from heat and sun sources, instantly wipe up spilled liquids and regularly take care of it using special means.
The wood species also mattersfrom which the furniture is made.
- Solid breeds are more durable and expensive, they include: oak, beech, ash, maple.
- Soft rocks are much cheaper, but inferior in terms of service life and appearance. It can be pine, birch, alder.
- Intermediate the species of wood is considered to be cherry or sweet cherry - it is not as strong as oak, but it is very beautiful.
The last thing to pay attention to choice of topcoat... Often, masters use two options:
- Varnish... Creates a durable protective surface, protects wood from any harmful effects. The only caveat is that the glossy finish is very reflective in the sun, so for southern or eastern rooms it is better to choose matte.
- Wax or oil... Both products accentuate the texture of the wood, but require periodic refresh. But they do not clog pores, leave a pleasant textured surface. Any wood species looks more natural, but the kitchen will require special care during operation.
Advice! To get the furniture of the desired shade, it is not necessary to look for a natural suitable wood treated with a transparent composition. It is much easier to choose a light breed and tint it to match the desired color.
Veneer
Veneer is a great alternative when you need a spectacular look without serious investment. The essence of veneering is that a 2-3 mm layer of cut natural wood is glued to the facade made of durable MDF. If you are decorating your kitchen with wood in a modern style and are not going to overpay for 100% wooden models, this is your option.
In comparison with natural wood, veneer even wins in some points. Its advantages:
- Durability... In an aggressive kitchen environment, veneer is more practical: it does not warp from high humidity and does not crack from dry air.
- Appearance... Outside, the facades are in no way inferior to the wooden ones: the same texture pleasant to the touch and naturalness.
- Ease of restoration... As with wood, any scratches are simply sanded down and waxed.
Of course, there are also disadvantages:
- Peeling off the base. Glue, unlike wood, is not as durable: therefore, over time, you may find that the coating has moved away from the MDF board. However, such a disadvantage is more inherent in low-quality cheap models.
- Darkening... Natural wood somehow changes its natural appearance, especially if it is constantly exposed to the sun's rays.
MDF
Do not confuse with chipboard! Fiberboard is a more sustainable and modern material. Its advantages:
- Relatively low price... MDF is cheaper than natural wood and veneer.
- Environmental friendliness... Furniture does not emit formaldehyde and other harmful substances.
- Versatility... MDF gives great opportunities both in shape and shade of future furniture.
- Practicality... Plates do not require special attention to themselves, all care for them consists in washing and wiping from dirt.
- Moisture resistance... Outside, the fibers are always protected by film or paint, which significantly increases their service life.
- A wide range of... Whichever color you choose - oak, walnut, ash, pine - the price and quality of furniture will not change from this. PVC films exist in almost any shade of wood, whichever you choose.
Disadvantages of MDF:
- White inner side... Of course, you can order 100% wood-like pasting, but the standard example assumes the white inside of the facades and cases.
- Unreliability of fasteners... The glued interior makes itself felt: over time, fragile fasteners on handles, hinges and other elements can simply loosen.
Plywood
One of the underrated materials is plywood. For some reason, many consider it unsuitable for furniture, but the strength and appearance of plywood is not inferior to any other options.
Plywood advantages:
- Strength... With the same thickness, plywood is stronger than MDF. Even without special protection, the sheets are not warped even in the area of the sink.
- Ease of processing. You can even cut and assemble cabinets yourself.
- The cost... The final cost is approximately comparable to the budget chipboard segment.
Of the shortcomings There is only one thing: finding quality plywood for future furniture can be more difficult than you thought. The most suitable classes are I and II.
Film imitation wood
We have already partially touched on this topic in the section about MDF, but chipboard is also pasted over with foil: what is the difference?
The main difference is the use of formaldehyde-based resins in the production of particle boards.
Other disadvantages:
- Moisture resistance... As soon as the edge moves away, and water gets inside the plate, swelling cannot be avoided.
- Unreliability of fasteners... In the glued sheet, the screws do not hold well, loosening over time.
- Appearance... Yes, the film imitates natural wood - but the low quality of the furniture will still be noticeable from afar.
Let's not forget about the advantages:
- Low price... Furniture from laminated chipboard is the most budgetary option.
- Extensive assortment. When it comes to wood, you will find any kind of film: from the usual beech or wenge, to the less popular apple tree.
We select colors and shades
The wood itself is completely different. The shade depends on the type of wood or its imitation:
- The lightest, beige: bleached oak, shimo ash, light oak, beech, pine.
- Medium in brightness: alder, rustic oak, light walnut, apple, cherry.
- The darkest: wenge, mahogany, embossed walnut, cedar.
In combination with other shades, wood is absolutely universal: it can be used as a base for any palette.
- White trim combined with wood elements is the hallmark of the Scandi style.
- Black with dark or rich wood is often found in loft style.
- Symbiosis with gray allows you to achieve a harmonious color scheme.
What kind of furniture and appliances can I use?
Regardless of what shade your facades are, remember the main thing: the technique can be absolutely any! Combined with white, you get a fresh look, a black oven or refrigerator will add drama, steel is perfect for modern trends.
In order not to overdo it, the wood-like kitchen in the interior is combined with monochromatic wall and floor surfaces, as neutral as possible for the rest of the furniture. For example, wooden facades are ennobled with a monochromatic tabletop and a table is chosen to match its color. Otherwise, if everything is made of wood, you are guaranteed to have the feeling of being in a bath, and not a modern apartment.
What style can you use?
Classic style kitchens usually red or dark are different. Facades with decorative milling or stained glass patterns on glass. The countertop is best under a stone.
Loft also suggests dark tones. The facades are smooth, with a pronounced texture. Table top - gray concrete or black, apron, preferably also black. The same applies to kitchen appliances.
IN scandinavian style kitchen is standard white, but you can order a wooden countertop, as well as the top row of cabinets.
Modern interiors imply the rejection of additional unusual decor, relying on the rich texture and minimalistic design of the built-in kitchen.
Photo gallery
Wood is synonymous with comfort. Wooden furniture will ideally complement the kitchen space and make it a favorite gathering place for the whole family.