Wood Kitchen Island

Wood Kitchen Island - Choose Wisely, If You Can

A wood kitchen island isn't a single choice when purchasing a kitchen island for your home.

Wood kitchen islands are available in a number of quite different species of wood, first of all, each with its own characteristics, and because wood is so easily worked and shaped, kitchen islands constructed of wood can be found in nearly every design and style.

Fine finishes, stains, and paints are easily applied to wood, what's more, though many wood islands have clear finishes or oils applied to take advantage of the wood's natural beauty.

The wood itself can be distressed to achieve an effective appearance of use and aging. Properly treated and maintained, wood is resistant to moisture and bacteria and can used for carts and wheeled islands outside on the deck or patio.

And to top it off, wood complements other materials like stainless steel and iron, as well as stones like granite, marble and steatite, all of which are used either to craft storage cabinets, shelves and drawers or tops for additional work space.

Almost Too Many Choices

Kitchen islands constructed of wood are available in a variety of designs and styles including Contemporary, Country or French Country, Hip or Avant Garde, European Chic, Traditional, Rustic, and many more styles. Woods commonly used are  Red Oak, Northern Maple, Birch, Poplar, Basswood, and Beech, or more exotic woods like Liptus, a plantation-grown South American wood, or Nyatoh, a plantation-grown wood from Malaysia sometimes called Asian Cherry.

Materials like stainless or zinc-plated steel, and wrought or hammered iron are often combined with wood for a more modern look and greater strength.

Every material used for an island top goes well with wood. Stainless, stone, and Butcher Block are popular choices.