Demi Moore’s unpainted cabinets made me realize painted kitchens might be a mistake – her natural look changed how I think about design

I would have been the first to admit that, until recently, I thought painting my kitchen cabinets was the most beautiful way to bring color into a room. The scale and prominent position of my cabinets (like yours, I imagine) made them the obvious choice to experiment with more daring trends, be that butter yellow or pistachio green. Then I saw Demi Moore's wooden kitchen, and it made me rethink the paintbrush for good.

In recent years, I've written about 100s of celebrity kitchens, but there's something about wooden cabinets that resonates, and Demi's pared-back option is one of my favorites to date.

Alongside their natural, wooden front, they have minimalist handles and stretch vertically to the ceiling – making use of all 'dead' space in her ktichen. This vertical nature is worth noting, but my favorite part of these cabinets is their raw, unpainted aesthetic.

'Timeless' is a word that's often overused, but in the case of kitchen cabinets, it's fitting. They're made to transcend more vibrant color trends, and look beatifully simple in the process.

Shop my wooden kitchen edit

Increasingly, I'm seeing celebrities opt for wooden kitchens, but Demi was one of the first figures to do so, as her post dates back to 2021. The fact that her space looks just as beautiful in 2025 emphasizes wood's timelessness, as designers explain.

'Natural wood cabinets offer a timeless appeal that very few other materials can match. The richness and warmth of the natural grain and colours bring a nature-inspired element to the kitchen, creating a sense of comfort and authenticity,' comments Nathan Kingsbury, the creative director at Nathan Kingsbury Design.

'The reason why natural wood kitchens remain a popular choice is that they foster a deeper connection to nature - something that has never gone out of style. With biophilic design taking over, using natural materials to promote a sense of calm and balance indoors, we are seeing designers and homeowners alike choosing to include natural wood elements in their kitchens. Wooden cabinets are the perfect choice here, adding a tactile, earthy element to the home while bringing the great outdoors in.'

Alongside their effortless chic aesthetic, Nathan says that wooden kitchen cabinets have the power to work in harmony with any other tones you may have, especially colored tiles that offer the vibrancy the wood may lack.

'Their ability to complement a wide range of colours and materials, from metal hardware and tiled splashbacks, adds to the allure and allows for individuality,' he says.

Will you be following Demi's example? Or do you already have wooden cabinets in your kitchen? Let me know in the comments below.