Rustic kitchen cabinets are very elegant and stylish. These fit perfectly into traditional and country-style homes as they effectively represent that old-fashioned, cozy look. There are a few points to consider when choosing and designing rustic cabinets to ensure they stay clean, functional, and long-lasting.
Alder is great to work with when building rustic kitchen cabinets. It is a soft type of hardwood with straight grain and fine texture. Generally, the color is light brown with hints of red and yellow. You can barely tell the difference between heartwood and sapwood, but sufficient exposure to ultraviolet light will reveal a striking contrast. Compared to other types of hardwood, alder does not readily change color when exposed to light. Sometimes it can take years to change, while others with minimal exposure to light rarely darken. Rustic alder cabinets are very stylish and provide a warm and relaxing atmosphere through their smooth effect.
Cherry is another excellent hardwood to work with when building rustic kitchen cabinets. Colors can range from off-white to red and brown depending on whether you are using sapwood or heartwood. The heartwood easily darkens over time when exposed to light. Although there are several colors to choose from, the sapwood is usually more prominent creating a fine blend of hues. Cherry is one of the most demanded materials when creating a rustic design.
Hickory is one of the strongest guys to work with. It has unique grain patterns that stand out. Rustic kitchen cabinets can be easily obtained without having to polish or finish the wood, as the color palette of walnut is very versatile. There are also true knots that create a natural look. Even cabinet heads can have knots that some light passes through.
Other great hardwoods are red oak and maple. These are highly durable and versatile with visible grain and knots that make your cabinets come to life in the right light. You can effectively create that rustic feel by simply leaving them in their natural state without any glaze or paint. You can choose to add antique finishes or stains if you want a very old country feel.