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This Old Box: When Wood Floors Match the Kitchen Cabinets

by on Sep 20, 2013

I think I’ve been in one too many kitchens that have hardwood floors that match the cabinets. Not only have some been the same color, they’ve also been the same wood species. Sometimes I feel like I‘ve been trapped inside box (or worse yet, a coffin) when I walk into these kinds of kitchens. How about you? If you have limited experience with carton kitchens, here’s a bunch of images to illustrate:

These kitchen cabinets appear to be maple, the floor oak but as the color is the same, there’s little or no contrast.

Chairs sit at an island in a kitchen with wooden cabinets and counters.Best Flooring Choices

Looks like this one is all cherry, both wood and tone:

Large kitchen with dark wood cabinets, and dark marble countertops.Homedit

Although this kitchen IS actually carton-color, it’s much less oppressive than the rest on this list, which is probably why I like it.

A kitchen with mostly wooden cabinets and counters.Homedit

The blue wall in this kitchen is certainly contrasty.  As far as the cabinets and flooring, they don’t get much more matchy-matchy.

Stainless steel fridge next to a microwave in a kitchen with stainless steel appliances and wood floors.Kitchen Cabinet Mart

Now let’s move away from the matching wood, shall we? More of an igloo than box, check out this ice cube:

All white modern kitchen, with lots of cabinets and storage.Home Designing

How about a big black box? (Wonder if there’s a data recorder in there somewhere.)

Black appliances and counters make up a kitchen.PRLOG

So, what do you think? Do any of these kitchens appeal to you? If so, which and why? Or do you think they’d make you feel like you were trapped in a carton?

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1 Comments

  1. I’m sorry that you don’t like the first few “oak on oak” type kitchens. I think they’re lovely. Evidently you are blessed with more $ to redecorate with, but I have beautiful “oak on oak” that I will decorate around. I do agree with you on the all white and the all black, though.