Selecting Wood Species and Finishes

The selection of the cabinet wood species and finish will have a significant impact on the overall design and look of your kitchen. There are several things to consider when choosing the wood species for your home.

Maple is excellent as a durable wood that you may need to meet your lifestyle. European Country design with traditional styling may be appealing with a painted cabinet, possibly incorporating more than one finish color. The key to a successful kitchen-remodeling project is keeping all elements of the overall home and room design in mind throughout the design process. This needs to be balanced with your lifestyle and use of the space.

An Overview of Woods Species

• Maple: Light – Hard Wood - Traditional to Contemporary
• Cherry: Medium/Red - Med/Hard Wood - Traditional to Contemporary
• Oak: Medium/Golden/Red – Hard Wood - Traditional to Transitional
• Clear Alder: Medium/Red/Brown – Soft Wood - Traditional
• Knotty Alder: Medium/Red/Brown – Soft Wood - Rustic/Countr
• Hickory: Medium/Red/Brown – Hard Wood - Rustic/Countr
• Rustic Hickory: Medium/Red/Brown – Hard Wood - Rustic/Country
• Walnut: Dark/Brown/Purplish Black – Medium Wood - Traditional
• Painted: Hard Wood - Traditional to Country

Woods and the Kitchen Environment
Kitchens tend to be affected by humidity and temperature and your cabinets need to adjust to changes in temperature. Solid wood often expands and contracts when exposed to humidity, leading to warping. Hardwood veneer and laminate alternatives can be incorporated to minimize shrinking and expansion through the drastic changes in Minnesota’s climate.



Cherry cabinets, clear finish, shaker style work well with existing oak millwork. The oak floor was refinished to compliment the tone of the cherry cabinets.

Shaker Style for Kitchens

According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Shaker style kitchens rose in popularity during 2009 and gained momentum in 2010 to become the second most popular style used by NKBA member designers. Traditional style remains number one but Shaker style is in demand.

The Shaker style is based on the Shakers, a religious and agricultural community established in the USA in 1774. The philosophy of shaker style can be summed up in two phrases: "whatever is fashioned let it be plain and simple and for the good" and "beauty rests on utility". The craftsman made furniture to highest levels of workmanship, using pure and simple lines without any ornamentation for durability and usefulness. The Shaker style is known for simple functionality and rooms that are arranged to feel clean and spacious.

An open, organized design with neutral wall colors reflects the Shaker ideal of simple living. Plenty of storage space is important and pegs are featured to keep order in mudrooms and entryways. Cabinets are made from hardwoods, with recessed panels and straight, simple lines. Authentic Shaker ladderback chairs and stools add simple elegance. Light fixtures with a chrome finish and natural wood flooring with a matte gloss give a kitchen the ambiance of an original Shaker home.

Call IHP for a Shaker Style kitchen in your home.