The 7 Best Stains for Kitchen Cabinets

Choosing the best stain for kitchen cabinets can really make a difference in the overall feel of your kitchen. If you haven’t updated your cabinets in a while, or if you’re choosing a finish to go along with a whole new kitchen, picking the right stain can seem daunting. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a local pro to complete your cabinet refinishing project, our tips will help you pick out the best color and texture for your project.

1. White or Silver Stain

For a sleek gray or off-white look that’s perfect for a modern kitchen, choose a whitewash or a silver stain. A white or silver stain can be used to lighten up a darker space or create contrast with darker tile, paint, or woodwork. These types of stains are usually a bit more opaque than a darker wood stain, so they could hide the grain of the wood some. If you want to enhance dimension and depth, a darker stain will probably work better.

For inspiration:

• ZAR® Silk Gray

• Osmo® Silver Gray

• Minwax® Pure White

2. Natural Stain

Using a natural stain is a good way to show off your woodgrain; it enhances the wood’s qualities while adding some depth to the surface of wood cabinet faces. And natural stain will help give your kitchen a warm, earthy feel. Getting an even coat is key, because this stain is very transparent.

For inspiration:

• Minwax® Natural

• ZAR® Beach House

• Varathane® Natural

3. Amber Stain

Amber stain will give wood a warm glow; you’ll often see products with names like “honey” or “spice.” This stain will darken the wood a little bit, but it maintains most of the grain and will even bring out the grain in the wood. An amber stain will work well on lighter-colored wood if you want to give it a richer color.

Amber stain can add subtle warmth to your kitchen. It will play off any warm colors in other areas and can make a cooler space feel cozy.

For inspiration:

• Minwax® Amber

• Varathane® Golden Mahogany

• Vermont Natural Coatings® Harvest Amber

4. Dark Gray or Black

Dark gray and black stains are an increasingly popular choice. Since darker stains will cover up more of the grain, this is a good stain to use if you want a more muted look. While the grain will still show through, the more saturated the color, the less grain you will see.

Dark gray or black stain is useful for creating contrast, and in a well-lit kitchen, it will help to create a modern, minimalist look. Using a darker stain will also help highlight brighter colors elsewhere.

For inspiration:

• General Finishes® Black

• Varathane® Carbon Gray

• Minwax® Phantom Gray

5. Red Stain

If you want to add some color to your project while still staying in the natural wood color palette, deep red or oxblood stain will work well. It’s a little darker than an amber stain, so it will darken the surface significantly, but instead of a deep brown, you’ll get a reddish brown instead. Using this color on wood that’s already stained might result in more of a brown color, as the original color will mix with the added stain, but it can add a reddish tint to almost any color of wood.

A red stain will warm up your existing wood grain and create a cozy feel. Red stains can also help highlight red hues in other surfaces, like stone countertops or flooring.

For inspiration:

• Minwax® Antique Red

• Varathane® Cabernet

• BEHR® Barn Red

6. Bright Colored Stain

To get away from natural wood tones altogether white still letting your wood grain show through, brightly-colored stains are a popular option. These are available in almost every color of the rainbow, but getting a really bright result requires that you start with a light-colored wood. Ash or oak will usually do well with a bright colored stain, for example.

Using bright colors on cabinets can help liven up a dull space or add a pop of color to a modern room. Adding bright shades to woodwork can create a sense of whimsy and playfulness in your kitchen. Coordinating colors in your cabinets with those in the tile or paint will draw the elements of the room together.

For inspiration:

• Minwax® Early Spring

• Rubio Monocoat® Sapphire

• General Finishes® Yellow

7. Dark Stain

Using a saturated dark chocolate brown stain will add a rustic feel to your woodwork. Darker stains often evoke a sense of history and permanence, making them a good choice for historical homes. Using a coffee tone on woodwork can create a rich look with the right lighting, but be careful to add some warmth to keep it from looking gloomy.

Darker stain will partially cover the grain while still allowing some of it to show through. It can also be used over existing stains to darken them if you want to cover over a previous stain color.

For inspiration:

• Minwax® Tudor

• Varathane® Dark Walnut

• Old Masters® Espresso