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.
Cabinet Wood Types
Quality wood species can improve the overall longevity of your kitchen, while providing personality with its unique markings. No two cabinets are alike. Consider the unique characteristics you might find when selecting your material.
Cherry Wood Cabinets
Cherry wood cabinets are a go-to for traditionalists. Although not technically hardwood, cherry is durable and longwearing. Cherry cabinets are known for their naturally rich and luxurious dark color, but can vary between deep yellow and pale red.
The higher price point warrants a lifetime value, with extreme durability that seldom chips or dents. Expect these cabinets to naturally darken as they age.
Tip: The material absorbs most stains well, although deep mahogany and walnut shades tend to pair best.
Maple Wood Cabinets
Maple wood cabinets are known for durability, fine texture, and smooth uniform grain. Naturally pale to creamy white, maple often includes reddish streaks that deepen with staining to enhance each piece's individuality.
You may find varying bird's eye dots, mineral streaking, and curling grain on different maple wood cabinets. Maple's durability is perfect for modern kitchens that get frequent use.
Tip: Maple takes a stain well, and is available in a variety of colors that highlight the wood beneath.
Oak Wood Cabinets
Durable and affordable, oak wood cabinets are a popular cabinet choice. The porous surface takes stain well while distinctive flame-like patterns of the grain are instantly recognizable.
These hues have a welcoming aesthetic for rustic and traditional homes, while lighter honey stains complement contemporary kitchens. Oak wood is lightweight, easy to clean, and durable for everyday wear, a perfectly inexpensive hardwood.
Tip: Treat oak wood cabinets with darker stains to amplify the grain for a deep brown or black appearance.
Bamboo Wood Cabinets
Bamboo wood cabinets are an eco-friendly cabinetry option. Unlike traditional wooden cabinets that are cut from planks made from large trees, bamboo boards are assembled from stalks cut into strips and laminated together. The orientation of the strips creates vertical graining.
Bamboo cabinets are extremely sturdy and the laminated surfaces easily resist dents, chips, and dings. The light colors add an airy and modern look to kitchens.
Tip: Bamboo cabinets are resistant to climate change and won't expand or contract like wood.
Hickory Wood Cabinets
Hickory wood cabinets are an affordable counterpart to cherry wood and give a rustic aesthetic. Hickory's unique two-toned appearance is made up of natural streaks of lighter white, and darker reddish wood.
Because a stain can't penetrate the tight grain of this wood and veining can vary in a single cabinet, hickory wood cabinets are typically sealed with a clear finish. Additionally, this high-quality wood can last for decades.
Tip: Taking care to use the drawer pulls and cabinet handles can prevent premature wear of the finish.
Birch Wood Cabinets
Birch wood cabinets are less expensive than maple wood cabinets and other popular hardwoods. Birch wood cabinets have a uniform appearance and lack distinctive graining for an easily receptive staining.
The surface is closed and non-porous, and can be painted or paired with other decorative treatments easily. Yellow birch is durable with a tensile strength that holds nails well, making it ideal for construction.
Tip: Birch can easily be finished to impersonate its more expensive counterparts: mahogany, walnut and maple.
Pine Wood Cabinets
The aesthetic of pine wood cabinets are often associated with cabins, but can pair well in contemporary kitchens with up-to-date hardware and modern countertops.
The eco-friendly and affordable nature of pine makes this softwood option popular. Additionally, the material is light-colored and absorbs both natural and dark stains. Graining and knots of pine usually persist after staining.
Tip: Pine absorbs liquids quickly, so expect to apply several coats of a stain to get the look you want.
Medium-Density Fiberboard Cabinets
Medium-density fiberboard cabinets (MDF) is an affordable alternative to solid wood. MDF may be a better alternative to wood in the case of painting kitchen cabinets.
Wood expands and contracts with natural temperature fluctuations, leading painted finishes to bubble or crack. MDF cabinets resist climate change for a smooth and blemish-free painted finish.
Tip: MDF has no graining and is ideal for cutting with a jigsaw to create custom inlays and embellishments.
More Cabinet Wood Species Inspiration
Types of Wood Cabinets FAQ
The cabinet wood types you choose will play into the overall look and design of your kitchen. Consider these frequently asked questions when selecting the wood species for your cabinetry.
How do you paint wood cabinets?
Paint your cabinets by sanding your cabinets, cleaning the wood, priming, and applying two coats of paint. Note that the cost of painting wood cabinets can vary between $900 and $1,200, depending on the labor and paint quality.
What is cabinet wood grain?
Cabinet wood grain is the markings that appear on a cut piece of wood. Grain is found in the wood's texture, pattern, or orientation of the wood-cell fibers.
What is the best wood for cabinets?
Cherry and maple wood cabinets are the most durable for a long life-span. There are two types of wood you can craft your cabinets with, broad-leafed, hard trees, and soft trees. Hard trees yield birch, oak, maple, cherry, and hickory cabinets. Meanwhile, soft trees yield pine, spruce, and cedar cabinetry.
How do I clean sticky wood cabinets?
Proper cabinet maintenance increases the lifespan of your cabinetry while maintaining a polished appearance. To clean a sticky cabinet surface, wipe cabinets with a sponge and vinegar and finish with a water-only rinse.
Aesthetically, guests will see the wood grain and color when stepping foot into your kitchen. It's important, however, to consider the longevity and durability of your cabinets for the most cost-effective option. Wood warps quickly with changing moisture and temperature factors. Once the wood is cut, finish the cabinets as quickly as possible.