10 stunning kitchen designs that capture the growing trend for pale wood

Pale wood kitchens are experiencing a major resurgence, driven by a desire for natural, organic, and airy spaces that offer a break from traditional all-white or heavily painted cabinets – Emma Hedges presents 10 examples of the latest trend.

1 - The Rowan Collection from Lochanna Kitchens is a solid hardwood door in a contemporary narrow Shaker style with square bead detailing. Pictured here in a combination of Pearl and Strato Mezzo, it is ideal for homeowners looking for a classic door with a modern twist, and is available in a wide range of finishes, with the possibility to personalise a space further via Lochanna's colour match service. 

2 - This minimalist contemporary scheme features Leicht's Orlando kitchen with Almond Grey door fronts and sides and drawers in 256 Celano Walnut. Here the warm, pale finishes create a calm, balanced design – perfect for an open-plan environment where visual harmony is key. Integrated lighting, tall units with hard-working storage and elegant open shelving combine to offer a space that is aesthetically pleasing and suitable for modern lifestyles.

3 - The Rotpunkt Zerox SY VER & Zerox MA kitchen exudes Scandinavian simplicity and tranquility. The light fronts in Scandinavian Oak and Blossom White combine perfectly with a handleless design, creating an open and airy feel. Clever storage solutions, such as an open alcove with shelves, provide space for large appliances like a coffee machine, to create a space that's ideal for those after a calm, modern look with natural elements.

4 - Taupe is a striking textured wood style from Crown Imperial, perfectly paired here with Uno Alpine for a distinctly Scandi feel and presented in an open-plan kitchen diner scheme. Ideal for modern lifestyles, Textura Taupe features Crown Frameworks, an open-shelving solution that maximises space under cabinetry and provides instant access to everyday essentials. To complement the modern design, the kitchen showcases concealed organised storage with tall larder units and ‘stay lift’ cabinetry for a clutter-free kitchen space. Textura is available 9 textured wood styles.

5 - The Eterna Collection from Lochanna Kitchens is designed to cater for those after a unique and impactful kitchen design. Manufactured from 100% recycled material, it can be used as an accent or to create a simpler, contemporary-style scheme. It is shown here with an island in Chalet Light Walnut and the wall cabinets in Mala Matt Indigo with anodised aluminium rails.

6 - The Barnes Kitchen beautifully showcases Naked Kitchens’ lacquered oak Shaker doors, crafted from solid American white oak with a veneered centre panel. The lacquered finish enhances the wood’s natural grain, creating a smooth, tactile surface that feels both timeless and contemporary. The result is a warm, organic aesthetic that celebrates craftsmanship and the understated elegance of natural materials.

7 - The contemporary two-tone design, showcases Crown Imperial's eye-catching Textura walnut light woodgrain effect, paired with the Uno range styled in Reed Green. The dual islands create a statement look, with defined zones for cooking, preparation, and ample storage, while allowing easy access to flow around the kitchen space. The finishing touches include Textura wall units and plinths, finished with copper coloured handleless profiles for a seamless look. Textura is available 9 textured wood styles.

8 - Sachsenküchen's Japandi-inspired handleless kitchen design, Fabiola, is presented in an elegant pale oak vertically book matched storage wall, with open shelving to add a touch of elegance for storage and easy access to everyday essentials. The sleek island and complementary cabinetry are styled in the new Leonora collection, with its oak 12mm framed design and embossed Linoleum door finish in urban texture. The contemporary new range offers 24 décor frame colours and 5 embossed textures to create a unique kitchen scheme.

9 - Crafted from premium European Oak, the Mornington Vale Oak collection from PWS combines the timeless strength and character of solid timber with a fresh, contemporary aesthetic. Available in the company's Mornington Shaker and Mornington Vale door styles, this versatile finish infuses any home with natural warmth and texture.

10 - This sleek, sunlit kitchen features Rotpunkt's Zerox FX Bianco Male and Memory FL Zero New Forest Oak in a co-ordinated scheme where the emphasis is on clean simplicity, and keeping the aesthetic light and airy. Tall units up to the ceiling along with spacious drawers and pull-outs enable homeowners to make effective use of all the available space, and maintain a clutter-free environment.