Choosing the right wood for your custom kitchen cabinets is a big step in your new investment. So which wood type is best for your project?
The fact that there are a lot of wood types on the market certainly helps, but there are several factors to consider, including wood color and features. The key is to not only consider what you want in cabinetry but also how the individual aspects of the wood will impact your use and display of the kitchen overall. Below are just a few wood types and their features to help you get ideas started.
Birch
Birch is a very hearty wood for kitchen cabinet. Its medium-grade density makes birch wood quite durable and a strong grain. These features actually serve to prevent abrasion in the cabinets. This is a very good wood choice if you decide to stain or paint your cabinets as a finishing touch. The color of birch varies as well, ranging from dark brown, reddish-brown, and yellow cream-like colors. Therefore, birch can offer you a lot of options to pair with your kitchen. You can have light-colored cabinets with a darker colored kitchen wall for contrast, or you can give your cabinets a dark rustic look.
Oak
Oaks are noted for their toughness and rustic appeal. If you want to have your kitchen feature natural colors or themes, Oak can help provide a very earthy feel. This is due in part to the wood patterns caused by mineral deposits over time which displays black, green, and yellow streaks. The grain patterns can also have leaf-like shapes, ripple, and other lines. Oak colors range from white to red with varying tones.
Cherry
Cherry wood cabinets are made to take a beating, this is a very strong wood that is naturally resistant harsh conditions. If you have a busy family with kids or are the type that shuts cabinet doors quickly and roughly, cherry might be a wise investment given their resistance to damage. Cherry cabinets are quite receptive to different finishes as well. Bear in mind that cherry woods grow darker with age so if you want a consistent wood color you should probably choose another type. Cherry wood can be found in light brown or red.
Maple
Maple wood is a very popular choice for cabinets. This wood has a very light color and a fine grain that’s very even. This makes maple wood a top choice for wood staining. Maple also displays a wide variety of patterns in the wood including small dots and curving lines in the grain. This is another great wood choice if you want a lot of design options for both your kitchen as a whole and the cabinets themselves.
Walnut
Walnut wood cabinets are characterized for their warm colors which can range from dark chocolate to red-brown and grey-brown. The dark lines in the grain also add very clear patterns to the cabinets that many homeowners value as a unique feature to their kitchens. The darker color of walnut could also give the cabinets some contrast to a light-colored kitchen wall. However, keep in mind that the color of walnut cabinets will lighten with age. This could be a great feature for your cabinets if you choose to redecorate or alter your kitchen in the future.