What kitchen countertop should you pair with wood cabinets? 3 combinations designers always return to

The wood kitchen revival is in full swing. From lighter, Scandi-style wood to darker, richer mahogany and walnut tones, there is so much versatility with this more natural material.

But if you've chosen wood kitchen cabinets, you're likely wondering which materials pair best with them. The kitchen countertops you choose will not only shape the overall aesthetic, but also dictate whether your kitchen looks elevated or mismatched.

Fear not – we've asked design experts for their favorite combinations that they always return to in wooden kitchen schemes, and there are suggestions here for every style and budget.

These are the kitchen countertops to pair with your wooden cabinets

If you stay up to date with kitchen trends, you'll know that 2025 is the year of the wooden kitchen. From oak kitchen cabinets to wood drenched schemes, they're the talk of the town. But styling this more natural material can be tricky, especially when it comes to countertop pairings. To help you make the best choice, we've discovered the expert-approved combinations for a timeless scheme.

1. Keep it classic with a beautifully-veined marble

Whether your wood kitchen cabinets are light or dark in tone, you really can't go wrong with pairing them with a beautifully veined marble. A truly timeless choice, there are various types to choose from to best suit the wood type in your kitchen.

'Pairing wooden cabinets with marble countertops is a combination that adds a durable touch of luxury to your kitchen. Lighter colored marble like Carrara enhances the warmth of the wood, while the natural dark veins in Calacatta add depth and intensity to the worktop,' says Fred Horlock, design director at Neptune.

If you like the look of natural stone but are worried about the maintenance, Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL Kitchens, says: 'Marble is probably our most popular worktop choice, but quartz is also a great option for people who don’t want the worry of staining, etching, and marking, which can occur on marble.'

2. Opt for a dark countertop with light wood tones

While wooden cabinets and light countertops – like a beautiful marble – are a classic choice, there's no reason you can't opt for a less expected pairing. There's something so striking about combinations that add contrast to your kitchen design.

'I’m a big fan of dark countertops paired with natural woods like oak or walnut and metallic accents like brass, copper, or steel taps and handles,' says Mor Krisher, head of product design for Caesarstone.

'Pairing a dark surface with light-wooden cabinetry and flooring will help to keep the space feeling open and neutral. This is especially beneficial if you want to create a cozy or dramatic atmosphere, but your kitchen isn’t vast in size.'

There are so many different materials in darker tones to consider. If you prefer natural stone, a deeper marble is a striking choice, or for something more affordable, soapstone countertops are becoming more and more popular.

3. Choose porcelain for a balance of beauty and durability

In busy family kitchens or spaces designed around an avid chef, durability is a huge consideration when it comes to countertops. Porcelain is a great choice if you want to take a practical material and make it more aesthetic – and more affordable. It also offers the most versatility in color and veining, too.

'Natural wood is definitely one of big trends of 2025. And there are several woods that are trending, from oak to walnut which adds a different complexity into the question of what countertop is best to pair with wood kitchen cabinets,' says Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport.

'Pair beautiful rich wood with a lighter porcelain countertop – this one is calacatta hermitage to lighten and contrast against the darker wood,' he suggests. Porcelain is also a great option if you want to create a statement design, like the waterfall countertop in this kitchen.

Wooden cabinets work almost as a neutral, so you can really have fun choosing a kitchen countertop to pair with them. While there are no rules per se, general advice from designers is to pair light woods with darker countertops or marble, and pair dark woods with lighter, contrasting shades.