Kitchen Cabinet Finishes
Gallery of stain colours from Cutting Edge
In this gallery, you will find a variety of stain colours on several wood species – Hickory, Maple, and Rift Cut White Oak. The pictures in this gallery represent what each stain type may look like on that wood species. However, the colours are not guaranteed to be accurate when you compare them to a physical sample in that stain colour. Before you make your choice, we recommend you order a stain sample or a stain sample kit.
Two types of kitchen cabinet finishes
Two types of kitchen cabinet finishes are commonly used on wood cabinets – wiping stains and spray stains. Each option has its benefits and drawbacks while showcasing the natural beauty of wood.
Let’s start with the wiping stains!
Wiping stain colours
Wiping stains are wiped onto the surface of the wood.
Caramel wiping stain
The Caramel wiping stain is a light gold-brown wiping stain that emphasizes dark grain and character in wood.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Chateau Brown wiping stain
The Chateau Brown wiping stain is medium-dark brown with reddish-gold undertones.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Chocolate Pear wiping stain
Chocolate Pear wiping stain is a medium-dark brown wiping stain with reddish-purple undertones.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Gold Brown wiping stain
The Gold Brown wiping stain is a light-medium brown with distinct gold undertones.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Graphite wiping stain
Graphite wiping stain is a grey stain. The stain colour can vary from blue-grey to brown-grey depending on the wood.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Heirloom wiping stain
The Heirloom wiping stain is a very light brown, almost natural. The stain draws out the reddish undertones of wood, which is especially noticeable on wood types like Hickory and White Oak.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Mountain Air wiping stain
Mountain Air wiping stain is a whitish-grey, almost like a whitewash finish. This stain also draws out the red undertones of wood and can make the wood look somewhat pink.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Palliser Brown wiping stain
Palliser Brown is a dark-brown wiping stain with purplish undertones.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Sharks Tale wiping stain
The Sharks Tale wiping stain is similar to the Graphite wiping stain; however, the blue undertones are stronger, making the overall colour slightly darker.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Simply Grey wiping stain
Simply Grey is a light-grey wiping stain. Like Mountain Air, this stain colour also draws out the reddish undertones of the wood and turns them slightly pink.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Tafisha wiping stain
Tafisha is a dark, almost black, wiping stain with blue undertones.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Spray stain colours
Spray stains are the second of the two kitchen cabinet finishes we recommend for solid wood doors. Spray stains are sprayed onto wood doors. Rather than soaking into the wood, the spray stain ‘rests’ on top of the wood; this allows the stain to reflect and emphasize natural wood characteristics, like grain patterns and figuring.
However, spray-stained doors are more likely to have:
- A shadow where the panel meets the inside profile. Due to the nature of using air pressure to apply the stain, the stain may not completely cover the panel. This shadow is especially problematic on sharper (closer to 90-degree) angles.
- A distinct line of unfinished wood where the inside profile meets the panel. Because the spray stain rests on the wood, unfinished wood will show up if the panel shrinks due to humidity changes. This is more of a risk on solid wood than veneer panels.
Bison spray stain
The Bison spray stain is a medium-brown with gold undertones.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Burnt Charcoal spray stain
Burnt Charcoal is a grey-brown spray stain.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Carbon Grey spray stain
Carbon Grey is a grey-brown spray stain with definite blue undertones.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Maple Arcane spray stain
Maple Arcane is a dark brown spray stain with bluish-black highlights.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
MLE-2852 spray stain
MLE-2852 spray stain is a bluish-grey with orange-brown highlights.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Venetian Gold spray stain
Venetian Gold spray stain is a gold-brown that ranges from light to medium-dark.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Winter spray stain
Winter is a light grey spray stain with reddish-brown undertones.
Wood Species: Hickory
Wood Species: Maple
Wood Species: Rift Cut White Oak
Kitchen cabinet finishes vary from piece to piece
The appearance of a stained finish varies depending on the wood species, the material used (solid wood versus plywood), the staining technique, and the colour and grain pattern of the wood.
The pictures in the gallery may not be an accurate representation of how the stained finish will appear in real life. Before placing your order, you should order a sample piece to make sure the colour is what you are looking for.