Choose the Perfect Wood for Your Dream Kitchen Cabinets

When planning a kitchen remodel, selecting the ideal wood for your cabinets sets the tone for your whole design. The beauty and durability of real wood elevates the look of any kitchen. With so many options to consider from oak to walnut and everything in between, it can be tricky to decide on the perfect species for your space and style.

Understanding the pros and cons of each species helps you zero in on your ideal choice. We'll also cover the factors that impact your decision, from budget to color preferences. Follow our advice to find wood cabinets that check all your boxes for beauty, quality and long-lasting luxury.

Popular Kitchen Cabinet Wood Species

Oak Cabinets

Known for its attractive grain patterns and natural durability, oak is one of the most common woods used for kitchen cabinets. This hardwood has a density that varies from light golden brown to darker brown shades. The grain has a distinctive look, ranging from straight lines to arching patterns.

As a sturdy option built to last for decades, oak brings timeless beauty to both modern and traditional kitchen designs. It's heavier than other cabinet woods, so keep that in mind. Oak also resists scratches well, but the finish can show brown spots if water is left sitting on the surface.

Expect to pay $100 to $200 per linear foot for oak cabinets. While not the cheapest, oak offers great value thanks to its strength and natural look that pairs perfectly with many decor styles.

Maple Cabinets

Valued for its smooth texture and uniform grain, maple is another top choice for kitchen cabinets. This hardwood has a fine, even texture. The color ranges from nearly white to light reddish brown. Stains take well if you wish to customize the shade.

Maple brings a clean, bright look to contemporary kitchen designs. It's also one of the harder cabinet woods, providing good protection from everyday wear and tear. However, maple can dent more easily than oak. Be extra gentle around the corners.

Pricing for maple cabinets runs $200 to $600 per linear foot. While pricier than oak, maple offers great consistency in color and grain - perfect if you desire a seamless look.

Hickory Cabinets

For gorgeous dynamic graining that brings rustic warmth to a kitchen, choose hickory cabinets. This dense hardwood displays a fabulous mix of colors from light tan to reddish brown streaks. The contrast creates a striking, unique look.

As one of the hardest woods, hickory provides extreme durability. Its density also makes it heavy, so keep that in mind. Due to its hardness, hickory can be prone to denting from impacts. Take care to avoid bumps and hits near the corners and edges.

Hickory cabinets range from $250 to $500 per linear foot. While the price tag exceeds more common options like oak, hickory delivers breathtaking grain patterns that bring unmatched rustic character to your space.

Alder Cabinets

If you love the rustic beauty of wood knots, alder cabinets offer an affordable option. Classified as a soft hardwood, alder contains knots across its grain in varying sizes. The light brown color features attractive reddish brown streaks.

While versatile for many decor styles, alder works exceptionally well for cottage or farmhouse kitchens. The visible knots add to the cozy, casual look. Compared to oak, alder is softer and more susceptible to dents and scratches near the knots.

Alder cabinets range from $100 to $200 per linear foot. This cost makes alder a budget-friendly choice to enjoy real wood grain and knots without overspending.

Cherry Cabinets

Known for its luxurious, rich look that deepens over time, cherry is a top choice for upscale traditional kitchens. This smooth wood has a fine, straight grain. When new, it appears reddish brown. As cherry ages, the color changes to a darker, warmer brown.

While beautiful, be aware that cherry scratches and dents more easily than oak or maple. Taking extra care when cleaning and using your kitchen can help prevent marks. Consider placing felt pads under appliances on cherry countertops.

Expect to spend $250 to $500 per linear foot for these exquisite cabinets. The higher cost buys you timeless, sophisticated style perfect for refined, elegant kitchens.

Walnut Cabinets

For a truly upscale look, walnut cabinets deliver sophisticated elegance with beautiful grain patterns and deep, rich color. This luxurious hardwood features a mixture of light sapwood and darker heartwood that creates pleasing visual contrast.

While durable, the smoothness of walnut makes it prone to scratches and dents. Use care to avoid damaging the finish. Walnut also requires more maintenance than woods like oak to keep the finish looking its best.

With an average price of $300 to $500 per linear foot, walnut sits at the higher end for cabinet costs. But its unmatched beauty and elegance make walnut a worthy investment.

Birch Cabinets

If you want the uniform look of maple at a lower cost, birch may be the solution. This hardwood has a smooth texture with an even, moderate grain pattern. The light color takes stain very well.

Birch provides great durability for the price. Combine it with a bold stain for a striking look. Keep in mind that the grain has more variation than maple. Knots and wavy sections can occasionally occur.

Priced at $100 to $150 per linear foot, birch costs significantly less than maple while still offering stylish, durable performance

Factors to Consider When Choosing Cabinet Wood

With a wide spectrum of wood species and characteristics to evaluate, selecting cabinet wood may feel overwhelming initially. Break it down step-by-step, keeping these key factors in mind as you analyze the options:

• Desired Style - Consider your kitchen's overall aesthetic - traditional, modern, rustic, etc. Match the wood to the look you envision.
• Color and Grain Patterns - Study sample boards to see the hues and grains in person before deciding.
• Budget - Cheaper woods like birch and alder keep costs down without sacrificing real wood grain.
• Durability and Hardness - The harder the wood, the more resistant to dents and scratches. Balance durability with budget.
• Maintenance - Some woods like walnut require more upkeep. Ensure you have time for proper care.
• Availability - Check which species your local cabinet maker has readily available.

Narrow the options to a few front-runners. Examine large samples of each wood up close. Envision it in your kitchen. Consider durability for your lifestyle. Ask your cabinet designer for guidance on which woods work best for your goals and budget.

Selecting the Finish for Your Wood Cabinets

The finish you choose for your wood cabinets also dramatically affects their final look and performance. From protecting the wood to enhancing its grain, many options exist:

• Stain - Stain penetrates the wood, allowing the grain to show through. It comes in shades from light natural to deep espresso for customizing color.
• Paint - Opt for painted cabinets if you desire a solid, consistent color instead of visible wood grain.
• Glaze - A translucent top coat to accentuate details and aging on stained cabinets.
• Lacquer - Offers a durable, protective coating with a smooth feel.
• Polyurethane - A tough, clear sealant that resists moisture, scratches and heat damage.

Consider the amount of prep work needed for each option along with durability and ease of touch-ups down the road. Discuss choices with your kitchen designer to settle on finishes aligned to your wood selection and design goals.

Caring for Your Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Proper care and cleaning preserves the beauty of your real wood cabinets while maximizing their lifespan:

• Dust cabinets weekly and immediately clean up spills to prevent stains.
• Use a damp, soft cloth with mild soap and water to gently clean. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
• Every few months, thoroughly clean cabinets with a wood cleaner and reapply polish.
• For humidity control, run exhaust fans when cooking and keep kitchen properly ventilated.
• Refinish cabinets every 3-5 years to restore luster and protect the wood from damage.

Address minor repairs right away, like resealing areas exposed to moisture. For more extensive damage or desired updates, explore full cabinet refacing to transform the look of your kitchen.

Transforming Your Kitchen with Wood Cabinets

When dated cabinets make your kitchen feel drab and dreary, replacing them with beautiful new wood cabinetry offers an amazing upgrade. The warmth and elegance of natural wood instantly enlivens the whole space.

Work with an experienced kitchen designer to select the ideal wood species, door styles and finishes aligned to your taste and lifestyle. Customizing the details creates your dream cabinets.

From taking measurements to installing the new cabinet boxes and doors, the installation process requires careful planning and skilled experts. But soon you'll have stunning real wood cabinetry to enjoy for years to come. Savor the luxury and beauty your new custom cabinets add to your modernized kitchen.

With proper selection and care, wood kitchen cabinets add timeless beauty and luxury to your home. Consider key factors like your style, budget and desired maintenance level as you choose wood species. Study color and grain patterns in large samples to envision each option in your space.

Finish choices like stain, paint and glaze allow further customization to highlight your cabinet's natural grain or match a color scheme. Establish good cleaning and polishing routines to keep your wood cabinets looking their best. Real wood never goes out of style - let it bring you a kitchen designed for a lifetime of joyful memories.