Move Over Oak – Designers Say This Is the Characterful Kitchen Cabinet Material to Choose in 2026 for a ‘One-of-a-Kind Space’
Turns out, the best grain to have in your kitchen isn't one you can eat
There's no denying the strong resurgence that burl wood has made in the interior design scene. Its knotty grain and textural appeal are entrancing, yielding stunning furniture and home decor. But now, burl wood is expanding its reach to the kitchen, and taking shape as cabinetry.
Perhaps it's because people are tired of cookie-cutter kitchens, or maybe it's due to the fact that personality-driven spaces are the leading interior design trend at the moment. Either way, the burl wood kitchen cabinetry trend speaks to both and turns the most practical room of the home into a space that's unique and full of character.
1. A Sophisticated Burl Wood Kitchen by Nicholas Potts
Nicholas explains that the burl wood cabinetry in the kitchen above was chosen based on his clients' request for something 'showstopping and unapologetically lush, but with some warmth so as not to feel like a museum,' he explains. They knew wood would be the right choice, however they were unsure of the style – 'some mahoganies felt too corporate, redwood felt too rustic,' Nicholas explains.
'Once we started moving away from more linear (and predictable) wood grains, the project started issuing a real personality, and there was no choice but to do this once that door was opened, and we leaned into one of the more expressive veneers we could find, a crotch-cut okuome (Gabonese Mahogany),' Nicholas says. This grain carries texture, visual interest, and with that, ample character. It gives the kitchen a personality of its own.
'Given the visual pattern we had for the veneers in this kitchen, we had to look at both color and patterns that would enrich the burl pattern,' Nicholas says. That's when they came across the onyx slabs that you see as the backsplash. 'We instantly knew it was right: the pink and yellow tones bring out the highlights in the veneers, and the super-scaled graphic references the cathedral pattern on the cabinet fronts while crisply separating itself from it,' the designer explains.
Other details like the kitchen hardware further complement the detailing of the burl grain – establishing a kitchen that is cohesive, sophisticated, and truly one-of-a-kind.
2. A Contemporary Kitchen by Skandal Studio
Katarzyna Najdek and Aleksandra Frankowska, the duo behind Skandal Studio and the designers of the above kitchen, are drawn to burl wood because of its uniqueness. 'Burl wood has an exceptionally distinctive and decorative grain pattern that feels too beautiful not to be showcased,' they note. 'As a natural material, it also brings a sense of authenticity and refinement, adding a timeless, elevated quality to the interior.'
In this kitchen without wall cabinetry, Katarzyna and Aleksandra utilized burl wood for the base cabinets. 'It introduces a strong artistic presence within the space,' the duo says of the burl wood cabinets. Not only that, but it gives the kitchen a sense of individuality that, according to Katarzyna and Aleksandra, is hard to achieve with 'smooth, uniform cabinet fronts'.
Here, the design team paired the texturally rich wood grain with natural stone for a united look. 'These combinations enhance the overall visual depth of the interior while maintaining harmony, allowing each material to complement and elevate the other,' Katarzyna and Aleksandra tell me.
Aside from the pop of color from the range hood, the rest of the kitchen is simple – allowing the burl wood to shine.
3. A Small Moody Burl Wood Kitchen by Hommeboys Interiors
As an abnormal growth that occurs within trees of many different species, burl wood can come in a variety of different tones and colors, like the rich and dark burl wood cabinetry in this kitchen designed by Austin Carrier and Alex Mutter Rottmayer of Hommeboys Interiors.
This moody kitchen is in Austin and Alex's California showroom. They designed the space to reflect their personal tastes and also serve as inspiration for clients. That's why they chose the unique burl wood material for the cabinets. 'We knew we wanted the kitchen to be a jewel box within the space. Small but mighty,' Austin and Alex explain. 'The Italian Puzzle Piece Walnut Burl we selected is artful and organic. It is dynamic without overwhelming the other design elements.'
According to the duo, a texturally rich material like burl wood is an ideal choice for streamlined cabinetry in a kitchen because it adds visual interest and depth to the space. In the example above, it does just that. Plus, the burl wood cabinets are tastefully complemented with other dark features, like the countertop and glossy tiles – creating a dynamic space with character and total individuality.
4. A Warm, Artful Kitchen by Orla Read
According to Orla Read, the designer of the space above, kitchens have a tendency to feel quite utilitarian. However, because of the inherent movement and knotty detailing of burl wood, burl wood cabinetry can make kitchens feel less stiff and more unique. Orla chose burl wood for the cabinets in this kitchen because she 'felt it was a unique and luxurious way to personalize the client's kitchen, becoming the visual anchor for the space.'
To complement the burl wood's textural grain, Orla chose Mascalzone Brazilian granite for the countertop and backsplash. 'The combination gives a rich, deep and sophisticated feel to this busy family kitchen,' the designer explains.
From the burl wood cabinetry to the granite countertop and even the playful decor choices throughout the space, the kitchen becomes one that's full of character and personality. According to Orla, these details create a quiet yet confident atmosphere. 'The burl wood's natural movement helps what can be quite linear spaces feel more relaxed,' Orla says of this versatile material's use in kitchen design.
Shop Burl Wood Kitchen Decor
'Burl has a warmth and individuality to it with no two pieces being the same,' Orla says. 'It gives the sense of movement and layers, moving away from the more minimalist, flat and cool interiors in favor of depth and richness.' It's a cabinetry choice that interior designers love because of its natural ability to create a kitchen that's unique, full of character, and goes against the grain (pun intended) of standard kitchen design.
