The appearance of your cabinets in the kitchen is most dependant on its doors. The doors can make a huge difference to the beauty of the room. By changing the doors, you can completely change the look and theme of your kitchen.
Cabinet doors come in many wood types. Each type has their own particular beauty. Choosing a wood type mostly comes down to personal preference, however there are a few qualities to consider for each.
Types of Wood for Cabinet Doors
Some of the wood types which can be used for kitchen cabinet doors are: oak, pine, poplar, maple, cherry, birch, hickory and alder. Oak and hickory are very hard wood while pine is the softest of the bunch. Pine is more prone to getting dents or scratches than some others, but many people love the look of pine and consider the dents worth it. Older pine with bumps and scratches from everyday use has a particular appeal to some.
Poplar and alder are relatively inexpensive and work well with an ‘antique’ finish. Cherry and maple are higher priced woods. Cabinet doors can be made of other materials such as MDF and laminate or veneer.
Three main kinds of door shapes available are recessed panel, raised panel and slab. The type you choose depends on the look you prefer. There are four main styles including country, shaker, contemporary and traditional. Deciding on what your desired style is will give you the cornerstone on building your kitchen.