Cherry is quite dark on it s own.
Best wood to stain for kitchen cabinets.
If you want to add additional definition to your cabinets a trick is to glaze corners and lines in an almost black stain and wipe off excess stain.
But there s no rule that says you have to use oak.
Maple kitchen cabinets could use a nice opaque stain that brings out its reddish brown color while a semitransparent or transparent stain could compliment cherry cabinets.
Other wood species can be stained to match existing colors that are in the home although some will react to staining better than other wood.
A pine kitchen cabinet system would be better stained with an alcohol or oil based stain that is rubbed on to bring out the knotty veins.
If you want a lighter look that stays close to oak s natural color a golden oak stain is a good choice.
Ash pine and oak absorb stains evenly.
Gray wood tones with a very slight hint of warmth are stunning.
Choosing the best wood type for dark stain.
Mahogany gives warmth while walnut which is similar in cost and hardness to mahogany happens to add elegance to cabinets.
The oak cabinet shown here will receive a red chestnut stain that darkens the wood and adds a warm red tone while bringing out the wood s natural beauty and pronounced grain.