Colors and Stains

Whether you’re remodeling or just refreshing your kitchen, you’ll likely choose between paint and stain for your wood cabinets. Both are solid options that look and perform differently. Painting your kitchen cabinets will completely cover the wood grain for a smooth, modern look, while stain will get absorbed by the wood for a natural, traditional aesthetic that’s long-lasting and easy to maintain.

Painted Cabinets

Painted cabinets are clean and modern. Since cabinet paint is thicker than stain, it creates a smooth, uniform finish that does not show any of the wood character underneath. You can choose from an endless array of color options, including trendy tones like blue or green or consider classic neutrals. A basic rule of thumb is to a pick a color for your cabinets and also choose a second color. A complementary, yet contrasting color will shape your kitchen. A timeless combination uses classic white cabinets and warm wood flooring.

The main benefit of a white kitchen, it looks clean and fresh. Overall, white kitchens are considered a happy color. One of the other benefits of white in comparison to darker cabinets, is that it brightens up the space. White kitchen cabinetry can help in those kitchens without lots of natural light.

One of the most significant benefits of black kitchens cabinets is the cozy, comfortable feeling they give. Combined with the right type of ambient lighting, black cabinets will provide a lovely, minimalistic look for your kitchen. Black kitchen cabinets will give your space a touch of understated sophistication.

Gray cabinets can help open up your space by making it feel larger and airier. Gray is a color that can reflect light, make your kitchen feel brighter and give it a more modern and updated look. Gray is also a great shade if you want a serene decor. The calming effect is heightened when combined with plenty of natural light.

Off white painted cabinets are an excellent choice when you love a white color to dominate your cooking area, but you don’t want it to look too bright. Off-white tones can have either a grayish or yellowish undertone. The gray undertone tends to look neutral/cold while the yellow undertone is warmer.

Stained Cabinets

Stained cabinets offer a simple look that’s more at home in traditional kitchen designs. Stain creates different color tones when it soaks into the wood of the cabinet, allowing the character of natural wood grains and knots to show through. A very dark stain will diminish a wood’s grain, but not completely. Light wood types are often good candidates for staining. Stain is also absorbed into the wood, allowing it to expand and contract with changes in indoor climate to prevent cracking or chipping. Some people love the unique quality of grain patterns. Others dislike the non-uniform aesthetic.

Stained cabinets offer a simple look that’s more at home in traditional kitchen designs. Stain creates different color tones when it soaks into the wood of the cabinet, allowing the character of natural wood grains and knots to show through. A very dark stain will diminish a wood’s grain, but not completely. Light wood types are often good candidates for staining. Stain is also absorbed into the wood, allowing it to expand and contract with changes in indoor climate to prevent cracking or chipping. Some people love the unique quality of grain patterns. Others dislike the non-uniform aesthetic.

Blonde stain tones are most often associated with oak or pine cabinets. Because of their link with these traditional wood types, blonde stains will generally have an equally traditional look in your kitchen. If you like this color palette but have a more modern tastes, you can bring it up to date by applying it to flat-fronted cabinets.

Brown or Black cabinets are more current than blonde. Because of their strong contrast with popular stainless steel appliances, they can create an eye-catching kitchen. This is a good color stain for modern kitchens. Dark cabinets, however, need space to play in. Using this stain color in a small area will make your kitchen seem even smaller.

White stained cabinets are a good match if you love the appearance of wood grain, but you want the look of clean white painted cabinets. White stain colors are optimal for small spaces. White, of course, will get along well with any appliance color. However, if you may want to add contrast to the space via darker countertops or flooring.

Cherry stained cabinets are the most traditional of the cabinet stain colors. Cheery stain is often used in grand kitchens. However, cherry stained cabinets can still find a place in your kitchen, no matter the size. Because of their red undertone, this stain color needs neutrals around it. It will work fine with white, black or stainless steel appliances.

Wood Types

Each wood type brings its own character and strengths to your kitchen. The wood species you choose for your cabinetry will change the aesthetics in your kitchen drastically. External factors such as light and chemical exposure can impact the look of cabinets over time. With that in mind, consider the proximity to windows, stovetops, and other layout features that may affect the cabinet coloring in the future. Choose durable cabinet wood types and add a quality cabinet finish to extend the life of your cabinetry. Listed here are some common light and dark wood types.

Lighter Woods

Ash is sturdy, domestic, clean and flexible. It can be white or more of a cream or light brown color. It often has even grains.

Birch is a light wood with simple patterns that’s good for staining.

Hickory is durable and solid and can vary in shade from white to more of tan or a reddish-brown.

Maple is a light wood that’s durable and solid. It often looks best without a stain.

Oak is a sturdy wood that’s a very popular choice for kitchen cabinets. its random grain pattern variations make it a great candidate for staining.

Red oak varies in color from light to medium brown, often with a reddish tint. It is a durable wood with a classic grain that always finishes smooth.

White oak can try in color from light to medium brown and often has an olive tint. It’s an incredibly durable wood that’s nearly impervious to water making it a great asset in the kitchen.

Dark Woods

Cherry has a rich, warm reddish-brown color that may darken with age. It often looks best without a stain.

Mahogany is an extremely hard, strong and durable wood that varies in color from light to dark brown, often with a reddish tint. It typically looks best without a stain.

Walnut varies in color from chocolate brown to darker brown, almost black. Depending on the type of walnut the brown may also have a gray, purple or reddish tint.

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