We need help with our flooring and cabinets!!!

Hi All,

We are presently building a new home and need some help. We are considering putting dark-stained walnut hardwoods with lighter cabinets. My question is.....what colour of cabinets would be suitable with a flooring such as this? We would like to stay with wood. My eye for colour isn't the greatest. Could we get away with a lighter cabinet such as maple, beech, etc. with dark floors?

We would also consider going with a maple floor with darker cabinets. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

The contrast between maple (or birch) and walnut is pretty stark, but it can probably be made to work with some careful planning. (Imagine a floor made up of a checkerboard of 2' x 2' square tiles in dark brown and ivory--plausible but potentially overwhelming.)

Beech is a bit darker than either maple or birch, and a bit warmer, too, so the contrast would be a little less intense. White oak is a shade darker still; I think either it or beech would make a good complement to walnut. Red oak would be okay in terms of lightness, but I don't think its color works very well with walnut (too pink).

-Steve

Another option might be to go with grey or black cabinets instead of with wood.

Thanks for your replies. It is really helpful. We brought samples of both maple and walnut home from the flooring place. I think you are right Steve it seems a little to contrasting. We may have to look at other cabinets if we choose to go with the dark flooring....The search continues.

I know it is all about preferences, but, IMHO, walnut is such a beautiful wood that I don't see the benefit in putting a dark stain on it. In its natural state, it will have a medium brown color with enough light tones that I think you could pair it with a lighter wood. Or, you could then put a black stain on the cabinets and I think that would look great too.

Agreed, Rous. We just finished our kitchen cabinets with a natural walnut finish. Black reveal lines (no hardware) and black marmoleum. It looks great. The natural walnut and black combo is striking...certainly not subtle!

saidvargas, Sounds cool, can you post a photo?

Sure, I'd be glad to. Check back in a day or so -- we're in the middle of renos and having some windows replaced in the kitchen right now. Once the install is finished I'll take a photo and post. It is starting to look very cool. Spent months picking materials and it's a big relief you feel you have pulled it off.