When it comes to custom cabinetry, the wood species you choose defines both the look and longevity of your investment. If you’re in the design phase of creating your new kitchen, bathrooms or storage areas, there are five exceptional hardwoods to consider that offer the perfect blend of beauty and functionality.
Mahogany
This unmistakable lavish wood is a rich, reddish-brown color that deepens with age, and offers exceptional stability with minimal shrinkage and expansion. It also features a fine, straight grain that accepts stains beautifully.
Mahogany has long been the gold standard for luxury cabinetry. Its natural oils make it highly resistant to moisture and insects, while its consistent grain allows for flawless finishes. The wood’s workability is unmatched, allowing for intricate details and moldings in design.
Walnut
A favorite among artisans, this distinctive chocolate-brown heartwood with lighter sapwood possesses stunning natural grain patterns. It has a medium density that machines and finishes exceptionally well, making it more malleable and easier to work with.
American black walnut brings sophistication to any space with its dramatic color contrast and flowing grain. Its natural luster requires minimal finishing to showcase its beauty, and it’s prized for creating statement pieces that serve as focal points in modern and traditional designs alike.
Maple
A classic staple, this wood is lighter in color and takes stains uniformly. It’s also incredibly hard and durable, making it a great investment over time. Maple has a fine, consistent grain with occasional bird’s eye or curly patterns, adding visual interest.
Hard maple is the workhorse of cabinetry woods, offering unparalleled durability for high-traffic areas. Its neutral tone serves as a perfect canvas for any color scheme, while its density ensures cabinets that will withstand decades of daily use without showing wear.
Oak
Another steadfast choice among experienced craftspeople, oak offers a prominent grain pattern with distinctive ray markings. This enduring, ancient wood is available in red and white varieties with different characteristics. As many artisans will tell you, oak is extremely strong and long-lasting, making it a solid choice.
Oak itself remains timeless, offering the bold grain patterns that define classic American cabinetry. Red oak provides warm, reddish tones, while white oak offers cooler hues with superior moisture resistance, making it ideal for bathroom applications.
Cherry
Mostly associated with English manor libraries and smoking jackets, cherry is a wood that comes in a deep reddish-brown color that develops a rich patina over time. Cherry has a smooth, fine grain with natural luster, making it an excellent choice for detailed work.
Cherry embodies elegance with its natural aging process that transforms light reddish tones into a substantial burgundy over years of exposure to light. This transformation makes cherry cabinets a living element in your home, growing more beautiful with time.
You can also combine woods in today’s modern designs to create contrast and bold looks from natural materials. The possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination.
