Choosing the Right Type Of Wood For Your Custom Kitchen Cabinetry
The Most Popular Types Of Wood For Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Modern kitchens tend to be dominated with impressive stainless steel appliances, exotic light fixtures, and a variety of luxury accessories. While these can make quite a statement and add to the beauty and functionality of your home’s kitchen, they can also feel cold and unwelcoming. The natural warmth, texture, and classic style of wood cabinetry never goes out of style and provides the perfect contrast to more modern aesthetics, pulling your entire kitchen together into a unified and attractive room.
No matter what kind of home you live in – whether it’s a remodeled Victorian, a cozy farmhouse cottage, or a modern urban apartment – the aesthetic and image of your home will reflect the natural characteristics of the materials you choose for your remodel. Selecting the right type of wood with your Chandler custom cabinet builder for your kitchen remodel will help you achieve the look that reflects your personality and decorating style.
Wood Types for Custom Cabinetry
All types of wood used in Peoria custom cabinet design are divided into two basic categories: hardwood and softwood. Hardwood includes woods such as oak, maple, cherry, and hickory; softwoods include pine, spruce, cedar, and birch. Each wood type carries unique characteristics in its twists, overall color shade, wood grain pattern, and presence or absence of knots. Some woods also have natural staining resulting from tree gum or sap. Hard and soft woods offer their own advantages, disadvantages, and price points, and can hold a variety of stain colors so that each cabinet is truly unique.
Characteristics of Wood Types
Birch
As an almost-white wood, birch is often used in modern designs and can handle almost any shade of stain. Because of its softness, it can be easily crafted into a raised or recessed panel door style.
Cherry
This richly colored deep red wood is enhanced with cherry or other darker stain colors. It offers a relatively smooth and mostly grain-free appearance and is often used in formal cabinet styles.
Hickory
This sturdy, light to medium brown wood is known for its many knots and natural deviations in markings. It is popular in country-style or rustic cabinetry.
Maple
Because it has very little grain pattern and a slightly yellow tint, maple is commonly used by a Glendale custom cabinet builder for customers who prefer a very smooth appearance or want to paint their cabinets.
Oak
The most commonly used wood for cabinetry, oak, carries a strong graining pattern that doesn’t fade even when stained. White oak tends to be very light colored and is generally used for lighter stain shades, while red oak has a natural reddish tint and takes darker stain colors very well. Its strength and hardness makes it a popular choice for many homeowners.
Pine
Pine is a yellowish and very soft wood that is easily distressed and carved. It’s typically used in rustic or country style cabinetry.
Stain Color Options
Once you’ve chosen a wood that fits your needs and tastes, you’ll also need to consider a stain color to seal and protect the wood. Wood stains are available in almost every color, but many homeowners choose a natural wood color that compliments the type of wood they have chosen. For example, if you want your final cabinet appearance to be very light in color, consider white oak or birch with a light or natural colored stain. For a very rich shade, consider cherry wood with cherry stain. Dark wood stains, such as walnut or black cherry shades, can be very dramatic and make a stunning contrast with a lighter colored countertop. If you want a natural wood look with plenty of variation, consider a light oak stain with hickory wood for a dramatic appearance.
Consider Your Countertop and Décor Options
Take time to consider whether you want your countertop to be lighter or darker, because that will affect which type of wood you want your Paradise Valley cabinet maker to use for your custom cabinets. For example, if you like the look of a bold, dark granite, you may want to consider a lighter colored white oak cabinetry so that your countertop and cabinets stand out and the room doesn’t feel dark.
Before making your final cabinetry choice, be sure to take a good look at the style and décor of the rest of your home. Consider what you love most about your home and add that dynamic into your cabinet choice. Do you want to retain the elegant appearance of an older home or are you leaning toward a more contemporary finish? Which wood grain pattern or coloring appeals most to you? What fits your budget? Identifying your preferences and what will best fit into your current home will help you find the perfect wood cabinets for your kitchen.
Custom Cabinetry in Chandler
Whether you are building or remodeling, add stunning features to your kitchen with custom cabinetry from AZ Cabinet Maker. As a locally owned company, we will work with you to identify your preferences and design a beautiful kitchen that will fit your budget. Call us today to get started with your project!
AZ Cabinet Maker
640 N Alder Dr
Chandler, AZ 85226
Phone: 480.800.3512
Email: [email protected]
azcabinetmaker.com
