Cabinet finishes are a great choice that can really change the look of your kitchen. Whether you just moved in and are putting your own style into the kitchen or want to redo the kitchen you’ve lived with for a while, it costs a lot of money to buy and install those new finishes. Especially considering all the doorknob hardware and other accessories you need. So you want to make sure you make the right decisions, both when it comes to color and finishing treatment.

The color of the finish is the first thing to highlight in your remodeled kitchen, especially if you are going from a very light color to a dark shade or vice versa. It will create a drastic change in the room. If you go for classic wood cabinet finishes, there are several different types of wood that are the most common to choose from. Standard options are oak, maple, ash, alder, hickory, and cherry. You can also choose from bubblegum, cypress, white ash, and yellow birch. Each type of wood will have a different type of color once you choose the stain.

Your staining options are one of four; light, light, medium and dark. Each stain in each wood creates a different type of color, so make sure that wherever you go to pick up your cabinet finishes you have a good selection to browse. Also, be careful when differentiating the type and color of the wood. Some will use “cherry” to describe the color, but it can also be used to tell what type of wood it is. Be clear about what you are looking for, both type of wood and color.

Standard finishes can be clear or nearly opaque. There are many other types of finishes you can choose from, including some fairly new styling options. The antique finish gives your cabinets a weathered and worn look, really great for the farmhouse kitchen. The enamel finish is the complete opposite; giving a nice shine to the doors and making them look like new.

Thermofoil is another newer option for cabinet finishes that is 100% solid color vinyl. It is very easy to clean and maintain, so it might be better for a family with a lot of children who get into all the cupboards and make a mess.

Be sure to take a close look at the cabinet finishes in these various styles and treatments to know for sure how they will actually look in your kitchen on a day-to-day basis.