Maple is a popular wood choice because it s readily available and reasonably easy to work with.
Best wood to stain for kitchen cabinets.
A pine kitchen cabinet system would be better stained with an alcohol or oil based stain that is rubbed on to bring out the knotty veins.
Maple kitchen cabinets could use a nice opaque stain that brings out its reddish brown color while a semitransparent or transparent stain could compliment cherry cabinets.
If you want a lighter look that stays close to oak s natural color a golden oak stain is a good choice.
Gray wood tones with a very slight hint of warmth are stunning.
The oak cabinet shown here will receive a red chestnut stain that darkens the wood and adds a warm red tone while bringing out the wood s natural beauty and pronounced grain.
Mahogany gives warmth while walnut which is similar in cost and hardness to mahogany happens to add elegance to cabinets.
Cherry is quite dark on it s own.
Other wood species can be stained to match existing colors that are in the home although some will react to staining better than other wood.
But there s no rule that says you have to use oak.
Choosing the best wood type for dark stain.
If you want to add additional definition to your cabinets a trick is to glaze corners and lines in an almost black stain and wipe off excess stain.