The Time Fixer Upper Proved That There Is Such A Thing As Too Much Reclaimed Wood
Thanks to "Fixer Upper's" Chip and Joanna Gaines, the modern farmhouse aesthetic has gained a lot of traction in recent years, including its prized material: reclaimed wood. While the designer's remodels are envious and stunning, we never thought we'd see the day when we say they went a little too overboard with wood. But, in one of their season two remodels, the dynamic duo went crazy with reclaimed wood in the kitchen and plastered it everywhere, including the oven hood, island, backsplash, and wall shelving.
While there's no problem showcasing this texture and using it for a rustic element, too much of a good thing can reduce its purpose and make the room look too heavy. Thankfully, the white subway tiles and cabinets added some much-needed brightness. If you're going to follow in the Gaines' footsteps by decorating with reclaimed wood, make sure to keep it limited and balanced (something they've come to learn) for the right balance.
How to balance the use of wood
The kitchen is a wonderful room to decorate with reclaimed wood. Not only does the approach allow you to repurpose discarded wood, but the kitchen is one of the top rooms in the home for decorating — probably because it's the heartbeat of every house. That said, to avoid Gaines' mistake in reclaimed wood overload, consider limiting only a few focal points based on this material.
The kitchen island is a great place to start with reclaimed wood. Islands are front and center and often are the spot of contrast to your countertops and cabinets. Choose to use reclaimed wood for the bottom part of your island, or create a DIY reclaimed wood countertop where the material can shine. Alternatively, consider using reclaimed wood for wall shelves or an accent wall. Since reclaimed wood is heavy in color and texture, it pairs best with brighter or lighter shades.