Cabinet Styles That Pair Well With Butcher Block Countertops (& Styles To Avoid)

Butcher block countertops are enjoying a design heyday, and the material's popularity shows no signs of slowing down — knock on wood. Growing in popularity because of their natural earthy aesthetic, versatility, sustainability, and affordability, butcher block countertops are showing up in kitchens designed by celebrity designers like HGTV's Leanne Ford, Joanna Gaines, and the "Property Brothers". Plus, Houzz reports that it even tops quartz as homeowners' favorite countertop surface for kitchen islands. If you plan to jump onto the trend, you'll want to do some planning to ensure your end design is harmonious, and a huge part of that is picking the right cabinets to complement the color, thickness, and design of the counter block. The truth is, butcher block is such a great countertop option because it pairs well with nearly any cabinet style and color. 

From pearly whites to bright blue hues, and from shaker to minimalist modern styles, butcher block cabinets can almost do it all with an affordable price tag to boot. But, there are certainly some cabinet colors you should avoid pairing with wood counters. For example, saturating a kitchen in certain natural wood tones and deep browns can make your kitchen look outdated. If you're seeking a stylish butcher block idea for your next kitchen remodel, read on. The countertop is versatile, but some cabinet selections can truly make your renovation sing. We're breaking down the best and worst cabinet styles and colors to pair with your butcher block for a timeless appeal.

One of the best things about butcher block countertops is that the versatile and affordable material looks great with cabinets of nearly any style. Coco Lepine Design shares via its blog, "They can be combined with about any kitchen cabinet color," adding, "Depending on how you integrate them into your kitchen remodel, they can fit perfectly within a modern kitchen design." The same goes for traditional kitchens, farmhouses, transitional homes, and everything in between. 

To choose the right kitchen cabinet style for your space, consider what overall design you want to reflect. Whether you choose farmhouse chic, minimalist modern, coastal contemporary, or something else will play the biggest role in what kind of cabinet you choose, as butcher block counters go well with most home styles. A popular choice, shaker-style cabinets will pair perfectly with butcher block counters. Traditional inlaid cabinets, modern European-style slab doors, and sleek hardwareless cabinets are also excellent cabinet choices for pairing with your wood counters. Glass-doored cabinets paired with butcher block counters can complete a country-chic kitchen feel. It's all about the look you're trying to achieve.

When it comes to color, we suggest opting for a timeless tone that reflects your desired design style and has enough contrast so both your cabinets and counters can stand out, while still maintaining overall harmony. Some options include white, gray, greige, green, blue, and other earthy tones. These colors offer visual contrast for your counters, plus a timeless appeal. 

Yes, butcher block is highly versatile, but like any other material, pair it poorly, and your entire look can go terribly wrong. If there's one cabinet choice we recommend staying away from if you're using butcher block counters, it's a natural wood cabinet in any style. Especially if you have wood floors, but also as a general rule of thumb, natural wood counters plus natural wood cabinets may be just too much wood. This look doesn't provide enough visual interest for your kitchen and gives off a vibe that's reminiscent of the 70s and 80s when kitchens were drenched in natural wood. If you're set on natural wood cabinets, a better countertop choice is white stone as it provides the contrast and visual interest you need without making your kitchen look like a log cabin or an outdated blast from the past.

In a similar vein, avoid brown cabinetry, cherry wood cabinets, and maple wood cabinets as these styles have waned in popularity and are now seen as outdated. While there are ways to bring outdated wooden cabinets back into style, pairing them with even more wood on your counters can be a design disaster. We also recommend staying away from bright colors like red, yellow, and orange. Even though these may jibe with your butcher block counters for now, it's good to keep timelessness in mind and avoid kitchen cabinet choices that hurt home resale value in the long run.