If you’re looking to update your kitchen and don’t know what to do for counters, consider wooden countertops. Why? Because wooden counters add warmth and elegance to your kitchen while also being among the most versatile countertop materials out there. If you’re going to do this, though, you need to learn what the best wood for kitchen countertops is.
Simply put, you can’t just use any wood for kitchen counters. Some are beautiful, but not suitable for kitchen use. The best wood for kitchen countertops depends on what you’re planning on doing in your kitchen.
So, we’ve put together a list of the best wood for kitchen countertops, along with some advice for how to make your decision and get the best kitchen counters for your specific needs and tastes.
Here Are Some Common Questions About Wooden Countertops
Ceramic tile was once in fashion in part because you could set hot cookware or kitchen utensil directly on it without damaging the tiles. Then came synthetic materials like Formica and Corian. Metal was popular for a long time, too, and now concrete and other materials are in fashion as well.
The two oldest countertop materials are wood and stone, though, and wood is making a comeback. If you think that you’ll get what looks like a wooden cutting board with even the best wood for kitchen countertops, think again. Wooden countertops are incredibly versatile, available in a massive variety of styles and colors, and are even eco-friendly.
Why Would You Want Wooden Countertops?
There’s a reason wooden counters are “old-world” solutions to new-world problems. Hardwoods are quite durable, which is why they work as flooring and stair treads. So why not countertops, too?
As an example, if you install a butcher-block style countertop, you can cut food directly on top of it, so long as you use the right types of wood and food-safe oils and sealants. They’re also more sanitary because the oils and sealants repel pretty much everything. That’s a huge plus.`
Another reason is that wood countertops are easy to repair and refinish. With pretty much anything else, damage often means replacement. With wood, you can sand away any damage and reseal or refinish. Heck, you can use lemon juice to clean away certain stains.
You can even change your color scheme without completely replacing your counters. There are many benefits to finding the best wood for kitchen countertops in your kitchen.
It’s important to keep in mind that wood is prone to cracking and warping, particularly if the product is poorly constructed. In choosing wooden counters, you should consider absolutely everything you’ll expose it to so you know how to make these counters last.
How Do You Choose The Right Wood For Your Needs?
Okay, so, great. Wood countertops are awesome. How do you decide what the best wood for kitchen countertops is?
Well…First off, what do you primarily do in your kitchen? Do you cook like a chef, do you prepare fast meals for dinner, do you spend the weekend prepping next week’s lunches for your kids?
Do you regularly entertain, and if so, do you cook large amounts of food? Or perhaps you enjoy having a beautiful, unique kitchen, but you don’t really use your counters all that much. Hey, that’s no big deal, many people don’t have time or energy to do serious cooking anymore! Doesn’t mean you can’t still have a beautiful kitchen.
Ultimately, the type of wood you want to use and the type of finish you need depends on what you do. For instance, if you love cooking and do a lot of cutting, you will want wood like hard maple or hickory because they’re difficult to gouge.
By the same token, if you have cats that will not stay off the counters no matter what you do, hardwoods will resist their claws rather nicely.
Where Can You Buy Wooden Countertops?
That depends. You can have a carpenter come in and install them. You can order them at home improvement stores. There are even places that will custom-build wooden countertops and install them for you.
- SUPER IMPORTANT: Make sure you understand how massive this large wooden cutting board 36 x 24 is before ordering. Get your measuring tapes out 36 x 24 x 0.75 inches (91.5 x 61 x 1.9 centimeters) is what this enormous oversized cutting board measures.
- THE KING OF CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY MEAL PREP – Lightweight Yet Massive - Love prepping an abundance of wholesome, mouthwatering food for the whole…neighborhood? Weighing in at a meager 17 lbs, this 36 inch cutting board with handle grooves boasts more than enough room to conquer Christmas Holiday and Thanksgiving turkeys and hams, tackle the biggest brisket BBQ, chop those monster watermelons and work as a bread bench without breaking your back.
- EXTRA COUNTER TOP SPACE YOU NEED - A 36 inch stove top cover noodle board that fits perfectly over most electric stovetops and gas ranges or it can be used as an over the sink cutting board to create that coveted extra countertop space during those holiday events, birthday parties and Thanksgiving feasts. 5oz corner spout & deep juice groove makes retaining spills, pouring off and transporting the juiciest chopping block meats a breeze.
- MOM AND DAD APPROVED – Safest & Healthiest: We meticulously have every wooden cutting board 3rd party inspected under the strictest USA standards. A vigorous cutting board for restaurant environments and the healthiest choice for the people you love most.
- GORGEOUS EARTH FRIENDLY BAMBOO – Keep knives happy and feel good knowing you reduced your impact. Because bamboo is all natural, it’s organically grown with a beautiful surface tension that prevents dulling and a natural two-tone finish and elegant rounded corners that beautifies any countertop.
- Oak Finish
- Material: Wood
- Style: Traditional
- Incredible Quality
- Sleek Design
- VINTAGE INDUSTRIAL STYLE: Matte Black frame combined with classic mixed black brown shelving, the rustic kitchen corner shelf is sophisticated and stylish, can be perfectly integrated with any interior decoration style and increase the elegance of the entire space
- BUILT FOR EXTENDED USE: Sturdy metal for the frame and durable chipboard wood for shelving; reinforced brackets; this stackable counter shelf is quite solid and has long service life. [UPGRADED STRUCTURE] Adding 2 steel legs, which is more stable than the previous one
- 3-TIER STORAGE SHELVES: Farmhouse corner shelf provides ample space while making full use of the limited space, Perfect for storing any items you want in kitchen or bathroom; used as cabinet organizer or coffee organizer
- ADJUSTABLE AND STABLE: 3 Shelves in proper height, can be adjusted in a straight line or with an angle based on features of your stuff or space; has 4 protective caps on the bottom to ensure wooden shelf stands stably ; 2 Lower shelf boards can be replaced to the left or right
- NOT COMPLICATED: With only a few individual parts and its easy-to-understand instructions, this countertop organizer can be easily assembled in just a few steps
- Authentic Amish Bread Box - Solid Oak Wood Bread Box with Plywood Back; Stain: Medium Walnut Finish
- This solid oak wood bread box features a roll top bread box drawer and a regular drawer
- Dimensions: 16"Wx14.5"Dx12"H
- Made in America - Amish Handcrafted
- Ships Fully Assembled
- ✔ STYLISH SUPPORT - Cabinet columns can be used in a variety of different ways. Casually styled for today's more relaxed living environments, with a nod toward traditional turned forms. Commonly used to support counter top over hangs or to complete kitchen islands.
- ✔ PRECISION CARVED - Hand carved for authentic column details, unfinished and ready for staining, painting and coloring with various mediums to fit for your Furniture color. It makes a tasteful yet strong statement wherever it is positioned.
- ✔ FIT ALMOST ANY LARGE TABLE - Measuring 5*5 inch (13*13cm) at the top and 35.5 inch (90cm) tall, they'll fit on almost any large table. Whether you are looking to refurbish an antique table, build a work desk from scratch, or update your existing dining room table, our columns will be a great fit.
- ✔ WELL SUITED FOR LARGER SCALE PROJECTS - This large column looks amazing when V-Notched and positioned in the corners of your table.The wider legs are used more often for kitchen islands while thinner legs can also be used for kitchen cabinets.These solid hardwood legs are true to Mission style and are great for additional support of a kitchen counter, or adding style to custom kitchen cabinets.
- ✔ PLEASE NOTE - 1) Package DO NOT include the mounting hardwares. You need to buy the hardware, drill hole to mount the wood columns by yourself. 2) The wood is a naturally occurring material, every wooden column is unique. Variations in color, texture, and grain pattern are normal.
- SLEEK MODERN DESIGN: Clean white surfaces and elegant silver chromed handles create a chic modern freestanding kitchen cabinet that will easily fit in with your kitchen, office, break room, pantry, or dining room decor.
- AMPLE STORAGE: This pantry cabinet includes 4 door cabinets that conceal several fixed shelves and an adjustable shelf, plus 3 pull-out drawer provides ample storage space to keep your mugs, jars, or bowls in order. The open countertop is perfect to store your microwave oven, toaster, electric cooker, baking accessories, and other utensils.
- QUALITY MATERIAL: P2 grade MDF board and engineered wood with melamine laminated, creates a smooth surface that is easy to clean with a damp cloth and helps keep your microwave cabinet sanitary.
- ELEVATED BASE DESIGN: The bottom base of this microwave hutch is high enough to protect objects put inside the bottom cabinet from becoming wet. This storage cabinet also features an anti-tipping design and can be fixed to the wall for added reliability.
- PANTRY CABINETS INFORMATION: 35" W x 15.5" D x 66.25" H, Overall Weight Capacity: 154 lbs. PLEASE NOTE: This item arrives in separate boxes and may not be part of the same shipment; delivery times may vary. Box Quantity: 2
- 『Large and Multiple Storage Space』: A large storage cabinet with easy-to-open door is designed for almost all your kitchen supplies. With spacious worktop, you are sure to be a nice cook, creating delicacy for your family. As for more convenience, there are a towel rack and 3-layer rack for condiments at the both sides.
- 『Reliable Material for Years of Usage』: Rubber wood is considered more stable than other solid wood to support larger weight capacity and maintain better shape. Together with strong MDF material and constructed of trapezoidal shape, it is stable enough to use for years.
- 『Adjustable Shelves Inside Cabinet』: Interior space of the cabinet has been divided into two layers to distinguish your items in different heights. The center shelf can be adjusted upward 2” or downward 2.5” freely. Upper layer is shorter for bottles, bowl and dish. While lower layer can store large canned food or electric appliance.
- 『Convenient to Move with Lockable Casters』: This rolling kitchen island with 4 wheels can be swiveled easily and effortlessly. Save your time and energy of moving all your items around between kitchen and dining room. Two casters are equipped with a brake to help lock the stand at a stable position as you like.
- 『A Must Have for a Tidy Kitchen or Dining Room』: Simple and elegant appearance will surely blend in well with any type of kitchen decoration. With smooth and its hardwood top, it adds refinement and style to any space. Not only for home use, but it also can be a good helper in restaurant, dormitory or apartment.
- [GENUINE LIQUEFIED WOOD] Contains over 60% recycled wood fibers (by volume). Patented in 2018, no other paintable product can include genuine wood in the formula.
- [LOOKS & FEELS LIKE WOOD] This is genuine liquid wood, not a faux finish. Looks like wood, feels like wood because it IS wood. We have found a way to make wood particles 1/5th the size of your red blood cells then put them in a paintable system.
- [MAKE ALL DOORS & SHUTTERS MATCH] No matter what they are made of, can give them the exact same wood finish.
- [EASY TO USE] Just paint it, stain it, and seal it. This kit includes both a primer and stain that is made of more than 60% real wood. It also includes the poly to protect the finish.
- [SAFE AND EASY] - Waterbased, eco-friendly, low-odor, easy clean-up
- Fertilizer from Food Scraps in mere hours
- 2L Capacity for most table and refrigerator scraps including chicken bones
- Cuts down volume of food waste by up to 90%
- Flexible Home Placement & stores anywhere with power
- Easy to Operate with 4-8 hour processing time
- Lang, Robert W. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 232 Pages - 09/01/2014 (Publication Date) - Fox Chapel Publishing (Publisher)
If you run a quick Google search for, “Where can I get wooden countertops,” you’ll find a whole host of places where these countertops are available nearly everywhere.
Can You Build Your Own?
Absolutely you can build your own. If you have some carpentry skills, you may be able to build your own wooden countertops. And if you do so, then you’ll definitely want the best wood for kitchen countertops!
However, unless you’re a carpenter by trade, you should first do a lot of research and construct a few small “test” pieces that fit the image of what you envision. This way, you’ll learn how to build and finish the countertops in such a way that they aren’t prone to warping, cracking, or separating.
How To Finish Your DIY Wooden Countertop
One of the things you need to keep in mind with wooden countertops is the finish. Many people use oils such as linseed, Tung, and mineral oil for their wooden countertops. You can also use beeswax or carnauba wax as sealants. Shellac is an excellent film-building finish, and it’s food safe. In fact, many finished wooden bowls and cups use shellac.
Another possibility is food-safe epoxy, which will give you a very glossy but durable finish for your counters. If you’re thinking about using epoxy as a finish, make sure the container says food-safe or food-grade. That way you know you’re getting epoxy that will work for your kitchen counters.
How Do You Clean And Maintain Wooden Countertops?
To clean these countertops of everyday use, you simply wipe them down with a damp sponge or cloth the same as you do any other countertop. If you’re using oil for the finish, though, you want to oil your counters about once a month to maintain protection.
However, if you’ve got oil or wax buildup you’d like to remove or need to remove to get rid of stains and scorch marks, you’ll need to do a few more things.
If you’re trying to remove oil buildup, use a liquid oil stripper. You can find these at any home improvement store. Once you’ve stripped off the old finish, sand your counters with progressively finer sandpaper.
If you have stains, you can remove them at this stage, or you can use something like lemon juice to remove them. You can add some salt to the lemon juice for a little extra cleaning power.
When your counters are ready for refinishing, remember to dust them off before proceeding. You don’t want all that sanding dust getting in your finish. Then reapply your finish, and don’t forget to mop up spills as quickly as possible to avoid more stains!
Also, try to avoid using vinegar on your counters. Vinegar can dissolve the glue that’s holding the boards together, which will ruin your counter.
Overall Price Range For Wooden Countertops
Wood counters have a wide array of prices. What you’ll pay depends on what type of counter you want, how you want fixtures like your sink installed, and especially what kind of wood you want to use.
Exotic hardwoods, like Brazilian cherry, will run you a lot more than domestic hardwoods like oak, birch, and walnut. There’s also the labor to consider, especially if you’re having your counters custom built. In general, though, you can expect to pay anywhere from $12 to $300 per square foot for wooden countertops.
The Best Wood For Kitchen Countertops
So, now, which woods do you want to consider for your countertops? Below, we’ve listed our nine favorites in no particular order. Each has its own unique characteristics, from subtle grains and light colors to dark and dramatic grains and colors.
Hard Maple
In fact, maple is one of the most popular woods to use for butcher-block counters even though it can be difficult to work with. It gives you a warm, traditional look with superior durability, so if you want to use it as a cutting board, go ahead.
Also, maple is domestic, so it costs less and is a more sustainable source of wood! Just be sure you’re using hard maple, and not soft maple. Soft maple won’t hold up nearly as well as hard maple.
White Oak
Another domestic hardwood, white oak has a simple, straight, and open grain. When you stain white oak, the grain absorbs a lot of the stain and really comes out.
However, unlike hard maple, it doesn’t have a smooth texture. You can feel the grain, which isn’t a problem as long as you aren’t looking for something extremely smooth.
Another thing about white oak is that, if you’re looking for quarters awn wood instead of straight boards, this wood is perfect for that. White oak is famous for its quartersawn look. It has similar durability to hard maple, making it yet another popular wood for wooden countertops.
Teak
Teak is popular for a wide variety of reasons, not the least of which is its very warm appearance. Unlike maple and oak, teak has silica embedded in its fibers, making it difficult to work with.
However, teak naturally has a high oil content, so it requires less oiling and finishing than other woods. As it ages, it becomes darker, going from honey-colored to a richer brown. Teak is an exotic hardwood, though, sourced primarily from Myanmar and Thailand, so it’ll cost you more than maple or oak.
However, its durability and its easy maintenance make it a strong contender for the best wood for kitchen countertops.
Birch
Like hard maple, birch has a primarily straight and very subtle grain. That makes it perfect for countertops when you have dramatic cabinets or flooring. Its golden hue is also good for warming up icy colors, like light blue or gray.
As a bonus, despite being hard, birch is easy to work with, even with hand tools. It also takes stains and finishes very well, which is why it’s among the best wood for kitchen countertops.
If you’re planning on building your own counters, you might want to consider birch. And unlike teak, birch is another domestic hardwood, making it a beautiful choice for less money.
Hickory
Hickory has a more dramatic look than birch or maple. It’s also the hardest, and therefore the most durable, of all domestic hardwoods. Unlike the woods we’ve already listed, hickory has a wavy grain. As such, it’s more prone to warping than woods with straight grains.
Even so, if your counter is built and installed correctly, hickory will stand up to an awful lot. It’s so durable that American pioneers used it in wagon wheels. Even the Wright Brothers used hickory in their airplane construction. That’s how solid hickory is. It’s not necessarily the best wood for kitchen countertops because of its wavy grain, but it’s definitely up there.
American Walnut
American walnut is a richly colored wood that comes alive when it’s finished, even just with oil and wax. Because of the beauty of its grain, it’s often used for cabinets, furniture, and even gun stocks. It has a slightly open grain, so like oak, it’s got a bit of a texture to it. However, that texture adds to its beauty.
It’s not quite as hard as hickory, birch, teak, maple, or oak, so if you plan on doing a lot of cutting on your counters, you might want something else. But if you want wooden countertops for their beauty and durability isn’t an issue, walnut is up there with the best.
Iroko
People often use iroko as a substitute for teak. It’s not quite as hard as teak, nor as stable, but it’s nearly as durable. It also has a unique grain to it, adding a measure of the exotic to your kitchen.
Like teak, iroko isn’t domestic, so it is more expensive than the domestic hardwoods. Besides that, you need to take into account the fact that iroko is initially a very light yellow when first cut but quickly darkens to more of a honey color. If you’re looking for something more likely to stay very light-colored, you’re better off using white oak or hard maple.
Bamboo
Bamboo technically isn’t wood. It’s grass. Nevertheless, it’s popular for furniture and flooring, and in countertops as well. One consideration with bamboo that you don’t necessarily have with other woods is that it’s often treated with chemicals.
Because of that, you can’t just buy any old bamboo and hope to turn it into a countertop. You need to find bamboo that’s chemical-free. Nevertheless, bamboo is environmentally friendly and gives your counters an interesting look. It also has natural anti-bacterial properties, making it easier to keep sanitized.
You have to pay much more attention to maintenance if you want bamboo countertops, though. Like hickory, it’s not necessarily the best wood for kitchen countertops, but it, too, is up there.
Cherry
Cherry is another wood that’s not as hard as some of the other woods listed above. It is, however, domestic, and it has a somewhat unique color to it. In fact, cherry wood darkens to a beautiful reddish color as it ages, even under finishes.
You’re also more likely to find wavy or curly grain with cherry, which will give your counters an exotic look without the exotic price. Since it’s softer than other domestic hardwoods, you’re better off using something else if you want to be able to cut food on it. Other than that, though, cherry is definitely among the best wood for kitchen countertops.
The Bottom Line On The Best Wood For Kitchen Countertops
As we’ve stated above, the best wood for kitchen countertops depends heavily on what you plan to use it for as well as how it looks. But there isn’t a wood species out there that won’t warm up your kitchen beautifully. The difference is that, since counters take a lot of abuse, there are woods that just aren’t suitable for them.
The woods we’ve listed above, however, work great for countertops. There are others that work well, too, so if you have wooden kitchen counters made of a wood we haven’t listed here, please feel free to tell us in the comments!