Warming Woods: Natural Character Meets Contemporary Calm
We spoke to European Design Lead, Nina Bailey, who guided the creative direction behind the new Formica® Originals Worktop Collection, to explore how woodgrains continue to evolve as one of the most emotionally significant materials in kitchen and interior design.
As Nina explains, the goal was to create a laminate palette that feels authentic, balanced, and inviting, a collection that captures the timeless appeal of natural wood, while aligning with the modern move towards calm, tactile spaces.
The Return of Warmth
The contemporary kitchen has moved away from stark minimalism towards something altogether softer and more human. “Calm woods continue to be an essential feature in modern kitchen designs”, says Nina. “There’s a universal need for materials that ground us; finishes that introduce warmth and character while still feeling fresh and contemporary.
These natural tones connect beautifully to the broader ‘Organic Tactility’ and ‘Luxe Farmhouse’ trends, spaces that prioritise comfort, craftsmanship, and connection.
The comforting and warm tones of these trends infuse spaces with a sense of serenity while retaining the clean, minimalist lines of contemporary design. Whether used on cabinetry, shelving, or worktops, wood-inspired laminate remains a defining material for designers who want to introduce emotion through texture.”
Light to Dark: A Versatile Design Spectrum
Image: Woak PP5855
One of the defining aspects of the new laminate worktop collection is its tonal balance, from pale, Scandinavian-inspired finishes to rich, dramatic grains.
At the lighter end, Blanched Oak PP5852 offers a softly bleached tone that’s both subtle and sophisticated. It preserves the authentic beauty of natural woodgrain while minimising dominant yellow undertones, making it ideal for pairing with stone surfaces or white cabinetry.
In the mid-tones, Woak PP5855 and Honey Mango PP5856 take centre stage. Woak is a hybrid design that brings together the best of oak and walnut wood. Soft cathedrals add gentle movement and character to the surface, enhancing its organic appeal. Meanwhile, Honey Mango captures a more global sensibility. Its rich hues and intricate grain patterns create a dynamic visual story; seamlessly complementing design styles from rustic charm to modern minimalism.
For deeper palettes, Tawny Oak PP5854 and Raven Oak PP5853 bring a sophisticated, cocooning quality. Rich woods with coffee-stained finishes contribute to a sophisticated and moody palette, infusing interiors with depth and warmth.
Nina adds: “These darker tones work beautifully in layered, atmospheric schemes - they’re not about heaviness, but about depth and comfort.”
Raven Oak PP5853
Realism and Refinement
The beauty of these new decors lies in their realism. Each woodgrain design was carefully developed to capture the subtleties of natural timber; the cathedrals, pores, and tonal shifts that give it authenticity.
Woak combines the finest features of oak and walnut, achieving a perfect balance of warmth and sophistication in a single, harmonious decor. And in the case of Blanched Oak and Ashen Oak, their fine grain and uniform colour exude subtlety and versatility, making them effortlessly stylish choices that align with the ongoing Scandinavian influence in UK kitchen design.
For designers and homeowners, these laminates offer the tactile beauty of real wood without the maintenance concerns, which is a key factor in both residential and commercial settings where longevity and performance are essential.
Pairing the Palette
When it comes to styling, Nina emphasises balance. “We’ve designed the wood palette to work beautifully alongside stone and white surfaces. Light woods can soften cooler palettes, while deeper tones add structure and grounding. The worktop collection is designed to harmonise effortlessly across multi-material kitchens, a defining feature of contemporary interiors.”
Honey Mango PP5856
A Timeless Foundation
As homes continue to evolve into spaces for living, working, and gathering, wood remains a look that evokes comfort and familiarity. The natural finishes of woodgrain laminates harmonise with textured stone and soft metallics, creating kitchens that feel timelessly inviting and effortlessly elegant.
And as Nina concludes:
“Designers are moving towards materials that tell a story - surfaces that feel lived-in, tactile, and honest. The wood decors in the Formica Originals Worktop Collection celebrate that feeling. They’re about warmth, connection, and balance… the essence of modern comfort.”
To experience the warmth and realism of the new wood-inspired laminate worktop decors first-hand, we recommend ordering a sample from our website. You can view all textures on our Surface in 360 tool, but seeing and feeling the finish in person is the best way to experience how texture, tone, and light interact in your design.
Order samples of the decors featured
