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Cherry Kitchen Cabinets: All You Need to Know

By: Andrew Saladino | min

Red-brown cherry wood kitchen with black countertops.

Cherry kitchen cabinets have been a staple in traditional kitchen designs and styles for nearly hundreds of years. This highly popular hardwood comes from the American Black Cherry fruit tree and it's known for its beautiful warm hue variations and distinctive aging process. Woodworkers and carpenters rely on cherry wood for its quality, moderately hard texture, strength, and good shock-resistance making it a great choice for kitchen cabinets.

Although oftentimes a bit more costly than other hardwoods like oak or maple wood, the durability of cherry wood kitchen cabinets will be an investment you and your family will enjoy for years to come. This wood also takes in various finishes so you'll be able to customize your cabinets to fit your style and choice of kitchen accessories. If you're interested in cherry cabinets, below is all the information you need on this wood species including key characteristics, available finishes, cost, style ideas, and more.

Cherry Kitchen Cabinets

To help you decide whether cherry kitchen cabinets are the right choice for your desired aesthetic and budget, below we outline everything you need to know about this classic and premium hardwood.

Kitchen with warm brown cherry wood cabinets.
1

Characteristics
of Cherry Wood

Kitchen with warm brown cherry wood cabinets.

Cherry wood is a closed-grain wood with colors that vary from light white to light brown with that well-known reddish hue. The grain is diverse so you may find pin knots, curls, random swirls, and gum streaks. Although this hardwood has been a commonly used wood for traditional furniture styles such as Mission, country, and Shaker, its versatility also lends itself for more sleek and modern style kitchens.

Tip: If your kitchen gets plenty of natural sunlight, expect your cherry cabinets to darken rather quickly. When picking your cabinets, it's best to choose a hue that you'd still enjoy if it turns a few shades darker.

Traditional dark cherry wood kitchen with granite countertops.
2

Cherry Wood
Finishes

Traditional dark cherry wood kitchen with granite countertops.

Cherry wood is a top choice for cabinetry due to its distinctive and oftentimes unpredictable aging process. Another perk is that it takes stains and finishes quite well and sets to a smooth finish. Whether you start off with a lighter color variation and finish or go for a classic, deep cherry glaze, cherry kitchen cabinets will make your home look warm and inviting.

Tip: Although it can take a variety of stains and finishes, if you truly want to capture the character of this wood, opting for a varnished, glazed, or an all-natural oil finish is recommended.

Kitchen with medium brown cherry wood cabinets in a glazed finish.

For a traditional kitchen, you'll want to go for glazed cherry wood cabinets. The glaze will coat and protect the darker stain placed on your cabinets and seal that beautiful, rich color. As your cabinets continue to darken with age, a glazed finish will also ensure that the natural characteristics of the cherry shine through.

Varnished maple kitchen cabinets with a classic honey color.

Although a darker color is often associated with cherry wood, leaving it in its natural warm brown hue with reddish undertones is great when putting together a kitchen that's both versatile and has plenty of character. Allow your natural cherry cabinets to darken with age by opting for a tung or linseed oil finish.

Beautiful modern rustic kitchen with cherry wood cabinets.
3

Cost of Cherry
Kitchen Cabinets

Beautiful modern rustic kitchen with cherry wood cabinets.

If you're choosing cherry cabinets to remodel your kitchen, expect to pay about 15 to 25 percent more than you would pay for maple or oak. For a more cost-effective option that still gives you that sought after, rich cherry look, try ready-to-assemble (RTA) kitchen cabinets in maple, birch, or ash with a cherry-type finish. In your budget, it's also important to account for any demo work, custom installation aspects, and custom fitting.

Tip: A great way to put together a budget for your renovation project is to start off with a kitchen design. This will help you build out your layout and account for any extras you may need to build your new kitchen. Once you have your design, use this kitchen remodel estimator.

Cherry Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

Designing your dream kitchen requires some magazine-worthy inspiration. Check out some beautiful cherry wood cabinet ideas for your kitchen below.

Dark glossy cherry wood cabinets with silver hardware.

Cherry kitchen cabinets with a rich stain are the standard choice of traditional kitchens.

Natural cherry wood kitchen cabinets with white countertops.

Show the unique character of cherry wood by opting for a natural, medium brown finish.

Reddish brown cherry cabinets with modern hardware.

Combine sleek kitchen hardware with cherry wood cabinets for a modern look.

Cherry Wood Design Inspiration

Natural cherry cabinets with black countertops. White rustic kitchen with dark cherry wood countertops. Open concept kitchen brown cherry cabinets Minimalist kitchen with red-cherry cabinets. Cherry red cabinets in a black and white kitchen.

Cherry Wood Kitchen Cabinets FAQs

Below we answer some of the most common questions people have when remodeling their homes with cherry cabinets. If you're still considering different kitchen cabinet styles and wood species, browse our kitchen cabinet ideas.

Pros

  • Cherry wood takes many different finishes and dark stains well.
  • Cherry is a close-grained, smooth wood that has an array of beautiful variations.
  • Its distinctive color that improves with age makes it a versatile choice for cabinetry.
  • Easy to sand, carve, and mold to fit any design or style.

Cons

  • It reacts to sunlight, which will change the color in unpredictable ways.
  • It has major color variations which will affect the look of a set of cabinets.
  • It is one of the most expensive cabinet materials.
  • It is not as resilient as hardwoods like oak or hickory.

Is cherry wood good for kitchen cabinets?

Because of its natural rich, reddish undertones, cherry wood looks beautiful on its own but can also take in darker stains better than other hardwoods — making it an excellent choice for your kitchen cabinets. Whether you opt for a light brown or a deep red, cherry cabinets can bring life and warmth to any space.

Are cherry kitchen cabinets out of style?

Thanks to the multitude of color variations and its unpredictable aging process, cherry wood cabinets are never outdated. Whether you want a cozy, farm style kitchen with toasted brown cherry kitchen cabinets or a luxurious, traditional kitchen with deep cherry wood hues, you can rest assured that your choice in cabinetry won't go out of style.

What flooring goes with cherry wood cabinets?

Cherry wood cabinets go well with many different stains of hardwood flooring. For an overall darker, more traditional kitchen style, dark stained wood floors create a cohesive look. To create a contrast or brighten up your kitchen, light-toned wood floors are an excellent choice. Vinyl, linoleum, or tile floors are also great for cherry wood kitchen cabinets and more cost-effective.

What color compliments cherry cabinets?

If you go for a darker stain on cherry wood cabinets, cool or neutral wall colors like cream or light gray will help balance and bring out the natural characteristics of the wood. For natural, light or medium brown cherry wood cabinets, we recommend going for warmer neutrals in beige or soft yellows.

How do you clean cherry wood cabinets?

Proper cabinet care is essential to maintain your cherry wood kitchen cabinets in good condition. You'll often want to wipe down your cabinets with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and mild dish soap to ensure that grease and grime buildup doesn't create permanent damage. Make sure to wipe in the direction of the grain and dry them thoroughly with another soft cloth. A mix of baking soda and water or vinegar and water can help remove tough stains. Avoid using rough cloths and sponges, bleach, and strong detergents.

If you're opting for cherry wood for your entire home, it's always recommended to obtain both your kitchen and bathroom cabinets from the same source to create a cohesive look for your home. If you're ready to install some beautiful cherry kitchen cabinets, start by browsing through our kitchen cabinets catalog. Once you've chosen the perfect style for your kitchen, get a free online quote to start your renovation project.

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