The Wood Types for French Country Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinet Selection

• French country decor tends to favor heavy, Old World-style cabinets. When designing the kitchen, select a type of wood that looks and feels sturdy. Also essential is selecting a cabinet that offers visual interest. Ornamental additions such as an applique, corbel or pilasters can add polish and character. If you'll keep the wood finish, choose a wood that has a naturally warm, medium tone. If painting, stick with woods that will easily accept a coat of paint or stain, such as oak, walnut or mahogany. Avoid woods with lots of knots or similar surface blemishes, since they are too rustic for the look and will be difficult to recolor.

Finishes

• French country style is notable for including furniture and cabinets that, while structurally strong, have a finish that looks slightly worn. When keeping the natural wood finish, the wood should have a medium color with a warm undertone. Avoid wood that is light or dark. Alternatively, paint with a vintage or distressed finish -- it looks old or cracked in places -- to increase your color options and give the cabinets a richer look. Keep the paint color within the palette of the style, such as white, cream, green and taupe. Deeper shades with a distressed finish are often used for island cabinets. Black, gray, dark blue or green are ideal.

Woods for Painting

• Most species of hard or soft wood are paintable or stainable, but some will accept color more readily than others. Woods that accept color well will end up with a more vibrant tone that is ideal for French country style. For the best color retention, choose a porous wood such as oak or walnut. In keeping with the style, oak would be preferable for its natural color. Birch, mahogany and alder also accept color well, so they will work well in a French country kitchen. Ash, on the other hand, is better left unstained, while pine, because of its natural knots and blemishes, can be stained but isn’t ideal for the style.

Layout

• The key to a French country kitchen is to choose a focal point for the space. In the kitchen, cabinets are likely to become part of this feature, and as such the right selection is crucial. How well the space works for food preparation is largely decided by cabinet layout. Carefully consider how cabinet layout will affect movement through the kitchen and how working or entertaining will be affected. If space allows, include a central island. This will add visual interest and much-needed counter space, and will likely serve as the focal point of the room. Keep all cabinet and island sizes proportional to the space to keep small rooms from feeling cramped and large ones from feeling empty.