Wood is the new look in kitchen upgrades as many people prefer the warm atmosphere it projects, it has been suggested. While some individuals may be put off by the high cost of materials such as cherry, there are cheaper alternatives that can be explored, the Osceola Sentinel-Tribune reports. Those looking to emulate rich wooden finishes in their homes were advised to choose alder cabinets instead of cherry, as the materials have a similar appearance but the former is available at a much cheaper price. According to a Research Institute for Cooking and Kitchen Intelligence report quoted by the news source, only 20 per cent of consumers are satisfied with their food preparation areas, while 42 per cent said they would like to make some changes at least. Earlier this week, an MTW Research study suggested people could be spending more on kitchen taps and sinks in the future as the retail market for this area of the house is expected to rise.