6 Best Ways to Use a Kitchen Board: More Than Just a Cutting Surface

A kitchen board might seem like a simple tool, but when it’s beautifully crafted and handmade from real wood, it becomes much more than just a cutting surface. At North Shore Carpentry, our handmade kitchen boards are designed to be both functional and beautiful, offering a variety of uses that go well beyond meal prep.

Whether you're looking to enhance your kitchen’s style or impress guests at your next dinner party, here are six creative and practical ways to use a kitchen board.

1. The Classic: A Reliable Cutting Board

Let’s start with the obvious. A sturdy, food-safe board is a kitchen essential. Our handmade kitchen boards are made from durable hardwoods like teak, maple, walnut, and cherry, giving you a strong surface that protects your countertops and your knives. Plus, the natural grain of real wood brings a warmth and richness plastic can’t compete with.

Pro Tip: Use one side for cutting and reserve the other for serving to preserve its finish longer.

2. A Stunning Charcuterie or Cheese Board

Elevate your hosting game with a board that doubles as a showpiece. The same board you use for chopping herbs can be wiped down and transformed into a gourmet charcuterie display. Think cheeses, cured meats, crackers, nuts, and fruit—all arranged on a handcrafted surface that’s as appetizing as the spread itself.

3. Serving Tray for Everyday or Entertaining

Our larger kitchen boards are perfect for carrying drinks, appetizers, or breakfast in bed. With or without built-in handles, their flat, solid surface makes serving easy and stylish. And because they’re handmade, no two boards are exactly alike—so you're always making a statement.

4. Counter Decor That’s Functional

Don’t hide your board away in a drawer. Prop it up on your kitchen counter or hang it on the wall to add a warm, natural element to your decor. It brings a touch of rustic charm and craftsmanship to modern kitchens while staying ready to use at a moment’s notice.

5. A Base for Centerpieces or Decor Arrangements

Use your kitchen board as a platform for candles, vases, or seasonal centerpieces. A wooden board adds texture and grounding to tablescapes, coffee tables, or kitchen islands—perfect for decorating during the holidays or special gatherings.

6. Gift Idea for Foodies and Hosts

If you're not sure how to use one yourself, gift it to someone who will! Handmade cutting boards make excellent housewarming, wedding, or host gifts. They’re personal, useful, and beautiful—plus, each one is made with care and craftsmanship that shows.

Why Choose Handmade?

There’s a difference you can feel when you pick up a board that’s been shaped by hand instead of stamped by a machine. Our handmade cutting boards are crafted with attention to detail, finished with food-safe oils, and built to last through years of slicing, serving, and showcasing.

Final Thoughts on Kitchen Boards

A handmade kitchen board is one of the most versatile tools you can own. It’s practical, beautiful, and multifunctional—ready to slice veggies one minute and serve charcuterie the next. Whether you're upgrading your own kitchen or shopping for a thoughtful gift, you can’t go wrong with a handcrafted board from North Shore Carpentry.

Want to learn more about how we make our kitchen products or how to care for them? Read our wood care blog here.