Kitchens Showcasing Beautiful Hickory Cabinets

The warm, natural beauty and superior craftsmanship of hickory cabinets make them a top choice. Incorporating hickory cabinetry adds character, functionality, and style to any kitchen design.

Made from dense, strong hickory hardwood, these cabinets offer durability along with elegance. Hickory's varying grain patterns and rich reddish-brown tones create visual interest and complement both traditional and contemporary decor. While oak cabinets are popular, hickory provides a more distinct, refined look.

The Allure of Hickory Wood

There are many reasons why hickory wood is prized by cabinet makers and homeowners:

• Hickory is one of the hardest, densest woods available. This makes it highly resistant to dents, gouges and surface damage from daily wear and tear.
• It has a tight, complex grain pattern that adds beauty and uniqueness to each piece.
• Hickory exudes warmth and richness. The striking woodgrain provides visual depth and interest.
• It stains easily, allowing customization of colors from deep espresso to whitewashed beach hues.
• As a fast growing hardwood, hickory is an eco-friendly choice for sustainable design.

In addition to its strength and beauty, hickory offers useful acoustic properties. Its dense composition helps absorb sound reverberation. For homeowners desiring a quieter, more relaxed kitchen, hickory cabinets dampen noise and echoes.

The Character of the Wood

Every wood has its own unique personality and variances. Here are some of the trademarks of hickory wood:

• The sapwood of hickory is light to reddish brown, while the heartwood is reddish brown to dark brown.
• Grain patterns tend to be linear but often wavy or irregular.
• When quartersawn, hickory can exhibit striking ray fleck patterns.
• Occasional small knots and mineral streaks add character.
• The wood darkens slightly over time and exposure to light.

These natural variations distinguish hickory visually. No two cabinets will look exactly the same due to the wood's range of graining and color.

Design Options with Hickory Cabinets

Hickory cabinets complement diverse kitchen designs from traditional to contemporary. Here are some popular styles:

Craftsman Style

Showcase the wood's natural beauty in Craftsman style kitchens. Characteristics include visible hinges, exposed rafters, and metal hardware. Hickory's woodgrain pairs nicely with concrete, stone, or wood countertops.

Shaker Style

Clean Shaker cabinet fronts highlight the subdued, minimalist look. For a lighter feel, choose painted hickory cabinets in white, light gray, or pale blue. Contrast with dark granite or marble countertops.

Transitional Style

Warm up a transitional kitchen with light or medium stained hickory cabinets. Glass front doors maintain an open, airy look. Quartz counters balance the classic cabinet style in transitional spaces.

Modern Look

While most hickory cabinets lean traditional, the wood can also suit contemporary kitchens. Pair sleek flat front hickory cabinets with metal accents and solid surface countertops for a current vibe.

Coastal Design

Painted hickory cabinets in beachy hues like sea glass green or ocean blue complement coastal kitchens. Add reclaimed wood open shelving, shell hardware, and accessorize with artisanal pottery for a breezy seaside feel.

Choosing Your Hickory Cabinets

When selecting hickory cabinets, consider your overall kitchen design, needs and preferences:

Door Styles

From simple Shaker to ornate raised panel designs, hickory adapts well to any door style. Inset cabinet construction and framed cabinets both showcase the woodgrain beautifully. Glass front doors add depth and enhance openness.

Finishes

Matte varnish finishes highlight hickory's natural grain variations. Satin or semi-gloss polyurethanes offer some sheen while allowing the wood to shine through. Staining to mocha or ebony provides striking contrast to light counters. For a beach house, whitewashing mutes the wood tones.

Hardware

Choose hardware finishes that fit your kitchen's overall style - from rustic twig knobs to sleek stainless steel pulls. Oil-rubbed bronze offers a timeworn look. Pewter and brushed nickel blend seamlessly into the woodgrain.

Custom, Semi-Custom or Stock

Custom hickory cabinets ensure a tailored fit for your kitchen's dimensions, but cost more. Stock cabinetry provides convenience and value. Semi-custom options combine customized sizing with more affordable pricing.

Specialty Features

Consider specialized cabinetry to maximize your hickory investment:

• Glass front wall cabinets for displaying collectibles
• Pull-out pantries, spice racks and lazy susans
• Built-in wine racks or recycling bins
• Charging stations for phones and small appliances
• Slide-out trays and racks in base cabinets

Hickory Cabinets for Kitchen Layouts

Strategically incorporate hickory cabinetry to enhance your kitchen layout and focal points:

• Use hickory on the perimeter cabinets only, with a painted island for contrast.
• Make the range hood cabinet or cooking zone the accent wall with hickory.
• Select hickory for base cabinets while wall cabinets employ glass fronts.
• Choose hickory for open shelves or floating cabinets to add breeziness.

Also utilize hickory for built-in cabinetry around appliances, corner pantries, or banquette breakfast nooks. Its versatility allows for flexible and creative applications in your kitchen blueprint.

Blending Hickory Cabinets with Other Materials

While hickory can stand alone beautifully, mixing other finishes can add further flair:

• Pair hickory base cabinets with crisp white uppers and open shelving.
• Use hickory on the perimeter with painted or glass cabinets on the island.
• Incorporate reclaimed wood, black steel, or stone elements with hickory.
• Contrast hickory base cabinetry with backlit onyx, marble or glass wall cabinets.

Hickory's versatility enables it to coordinate seamlessly with myriad materials, from high-end metals to rustic barnwood.

Countertop Pairings for Hickory Cabinets

Choosing the right countertop surface completes the look and harmony of your hickory cabinetry:

Granite

Granite's natural patterns beautifully complement hickory's woodgrain. Go for deeper, dramatic granites like Ubatuba, Kashmir Gold or Emerald Pearl to match the cabinet tones.

Marble

The soft white or grey veining of marbles like Calacatta Borghini, Calacatta Oro, or Statuario provide an elegant counterpoint to rich hickory cabinetry. The stone adds movement and sophistication.

The dark charcoal gray of tactile soapstone makes a bold, striking statement next to light natural or whitewashed hickory cabinets. Soapstone's soft look also balances hickory's more linear grains.