The wood you choose affects how your kitchen looks, how it wears over the next twenty years, and what it costs. Here’s a practical guide to the species we use most often in custom cabinetry.
Maple
Fine, even grain that takes paint and stain beautifully, making it the most versatile choice for both painted and stained cabinets. It’s hard, durable, and consistently priced — a reliable default for most kitchens.
White oak
Prominent, straight grain with a warm, contemporary look. White oak has become the most-requested wood in the custom kitchens we build right now, especially for natural or lightly-stained finishes that show off the grain.
Walnut
Rich, dark, and naturally luxurious with minimal finishing needed. Walnut costs more than maple or oak, but for an island or accent cabinetry, it adds a level of warmth that’s hard to replicate with stain alone.
Cherry
Smooth grain that deepens in color naturally over time as it’s exposed to light — a classic choice for traditional kitchens, and one that ages into a richer look each year.
Plywood and MDF (for painted cabinets)
For fully painted cabinetry, a solid plywood box with an MDF door panel gives the smoothest, most consistent painted finish — MDF doesn’t show grain telegraphing through paint the way solid wood can.
Not sure which wood is right for your kitchen? We’ll bring samples to your consultation. Get in touch — we design and build every piece at our Lafayette, LA workshop for clients across Louisiana, Houston, and Dallas.