As a contractor, your clients may look to you for expertise when choosing furnishings like cabinet doors for their homes. Given the range of options, wanting some expert guidance is understandable. You can share quality insights about what works, what’s popular and what would suit their space.
This article will:
- Explore the increasing popularity of stained wood cabinet doors.
- Help you become a resource for your clients when comparing stained wood and painted cabinet doors.
Why Is Stained Wood Growing in Popularity?
Design trends are always shifting. One season, homeowners prefer minimalist styles, and the next, bold statement pieces are in vogue. But stained wood cabinet doors have a timeless appeal.
While interior design has its passing crazes, nature’s beauty is always in style and inspiring new design ideas. Stained wood cabinet doors display the natural aesthetics of wood, bringing authentic charm to any home. This ensures the lasting popularity of stained wood.
Currently, there’s a renewed appreciation for stained wood among homeowners. Stained wood cabinet doors embody several themes highlighted in the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen Trends Report for 2024, including:
- Connecting with nature.
- Minimalistic, low-maintenance design.
- Sustainable relationships with the environment.
Of course, a tasteful stained wood cabinet door will always have its appeal. But here are two stained kitchen cabinet ideas that people are especially excited about today:
- Natural and sustainable: Homeowners are more concerned about the environment than ever before. Natural stained wood conveys an appreciation for nature’s beauty. Buying from a supplier that respects sustainability and environmental regulations puts this care for the environment into action.
- Dark and bold: Dark, rich stains like are all the rage for making a bold, luxurious statement. The darkest tones for stained wood trims are coming back in style. They strike a perfect balance of classy and edgy.
Painted vs. Stained Cabinet Doors: Pros and Cons
When your clients must decide between stained and painted cabinet doors, you can share solid advice about how they compare.
Stained Wood for Durability
Stained wood retains its beauty for decades with little maintenance. While a quality painted cabinet door can also last for years, paint is vulnerable to chips and deterioration. To look its best, a painted cabinet door will require touch-ups over time. These are challenging for homeowners to do well themselves, so they should consider maintenance needs and costs.
In contrast, stained hardwood is tough and will not chip. This difference is especially significant if the homeowner wants to install the cabinets in a space like their kitchen, where these units accumulate more wear over time.
Paint for Initial Affordability
If a homeowner wants kitchen cabinet doors that take up the least space in their budget, they should go for painted cabinet doors. The main reason is that quality stained hardwood is a higher-end purchase. Painting is compatible with medium-density fiberboard (MDF), meaning most painted cabinet doors are cheaper than stained ones.
If a client already has the wood for the cabinets and wants to finish them, staining kitchen cabinet doors is actually a more affordable treatment than painting. The quality of the wood — rather than the costliness of the finish — most influences the higher prices of stained cabinet doors.
Stained for Long-Term Value
Homeowners looking for the best long-term value should consider stained wood. Its long, low-maintenance life span can justify the higher initial outlay.
Stained to Showcase Wood
A natural stained finish showcases and accentuates the inherent beauty of fine wood, which paint would cover. For those who favor aesthetic qualities like richness, texture and authenticity, stained wood kitchen cabinet doors are a superb choice.
The flip side is that paint can conceal imperfections in the wood or grains that a homeowner finds less appealing. Many appreciate the uniformity of an excellent paint job. But staining is the clear winner for those wanting to experience the unique charm of high-quality wood.
Choosing Stained or Painted Cabinet Doors for Your Client’s Home
We’ve explored the advantages of stained wood cabinet doors and how they compare to painted ones. So, which should you order for your client? Ultimately, it depends on their unique tastes and priorities.
Throughout the contracting process, you’ll gain a sense of what’s important to them and have the opportunity to ask them questions to learn more. Gather as much information as you can and use it to guide them.
For example, steer a client toward stained cabinet doors if they:
- Prefer a timeless natural look that showcases quality wood.
- Prioritize durability and long-term value.
On the other hand, ordering painted cabinet doors could be best if they:
- Want a modern, clean and uniform look.
- Enjoy the bright or bold colors that only paint can offer.
- Need to stick to a smaller budget.
Order Stained Cabinet Doors From Conestoga Wood Specialties
Stained wood kitchen cabinet doors have a natural appeal that will always draw devoted fans of authentic style. Top trends will shift, but natural stained wood will remain a favorite. It often resurges in popularity as homeowners return to the timeless beauty of quality wood. It’s no surprise that stained cabinet doors are becoming more popular than painted ones.
Conestoga Wood Specialties crafts custom cabinet doors to suit each kitchen you create. Explore our range of cabinet door style options, available in dozens of quality wood species with stained and painted finishes.
Details matter when creating the perfect kitchen for your clients, and details are where Conestoga Wood Specialties excels. We offer the highest-quality craftsmanship for cabinet doors, upheld by meticulous standards. With our industry-leading workmanship, reliable service and vast range of custom options, we are your partner in building the kitchen of your client’s dreams.
Contact us today to learn more about our custom kitchen cabinet doors for your client’s home.
