Top 5 common types of wood stains for kitchen cabinets

Wood stains completely transform your kitchen cabinets. They make new wood look old and affordable wood look high-end. But not all stains are equal.

There’s a wide range of stains for kitchen cabinets, from oil- and water-based options to lacquers, and they all apply differently. This makes it hard to find the perfect kind of stain for your project and skill set. Knowing your options and what to look for is crucial to the success of your cabinet renovation.

In this article, we look at the five most common types of kitchen cabinet stains and their pros and cons. We also provide useful tips on what to consider when looking for wood stains and when you should — and should not — use them. 

What is a wood stain?

A wood stain enhances the color, appearance, and grain of wood. Like paint, stains comprise three parts: a pigment, a binder, and a solvent.

• The pigment is a finely ground-colored powder.
• The binder glues the pigment to the wood.
• The solvent liquefies the binder and holds the pigment.

You can either spray or wipe on your stain. It penetrates the porous structure of the wood, imparting color while allowing the natural grain to shine through. Wood stain also protects against moisture, UV rays, and general wear.

When to consider using wood stains for cabinets

Using wood stains for kitchen cabinets and drawer fronts is ideal when your goal is to showcase the grain patterns and texture in your cabinet doors. If you have a traditional or transitional space and want a warm or rustic look, definitely consider a wood stain.

However, alternative finishes might be more suitable in some cases. If your cabinet doors lack distinctive grain patterns, if you prefer a sleek aesthetic, or if you want to enhance the grain without affecting the color, a paint or clear finish might serve you better.

• Paint provides an opaque, solid color that masks imperfections and creates a uniform appearance. It’s suitable for contemporary or minimalist design features, like slab doors.
• Clear finishes (varnishes or lacquers) help hold the natural color of light woods such as birch. They provide protection without altering the wood’s color.

Another thing to consider is that wood stains require frequent maintenance. They need periodic reapplication, especially in high-traffic areas, to maintain their protective qualities. In contrast, painted or clear-finished cabinets require less attention while offering better wear resistance.

5 popular wood stains for kitchen cabinets

With so many popular wood stains on the market, choosing the right one for your needs is like finding a needle in a haystack. In this section, we make things easier by comparing the most common types of kitchen cabinet stains. We’ll cover everything from the classic allure of oil-based stains to their eco-friendly water-based counterparts. 

Whether you’re seeking warmth, resilience, or a combination of both, use this guide to ensure your kitchen cabinets not only stand out in style but endure the rigors of daily use.

1. Oil-based stain

Oil-based stains are the most popular wood stains on the market. These are probably what you think of when you think about wood stains. 

Consisting of a linseed binder, which is a natural and non-toxic oil, this type of stain is extremely easy to work with. It takes about one or two hours to dry, giving you plenty of time to remove excess, clean up spills, and fix inconsistencies before it dries.

Pros:

• Widely available and extremely easy to use, oil-based stains are perfect for DIYers.
• They deeply penetrate the wood, providing a rich and warm appearance.
• Oil-based stains are highly durable, with a long-lasting finish that resists wear and tear.
• The slow drying time makes it easier to clean up any mistakes.

Cons:

• Oil-based stains have a long drying time. We suggest waiting three hours before applying another coat of stain and about 10 hours before applying a wood finish.
• They have a strong odor, so you need proper ventilation during application.
• Cleaning brushes requires mineral spirits or turpentine, adding to the complexity of cleanup.

2. Varnish stain

Varnish stains are like oil stains in every way but one: They contain a varnish, not an oil binder. That means they dry very hard, so you don’t have to wipe away any excess to get an even coat. 

Pros:

• Varnish stains don’t require a finishing coat; the stain is the finishing coat.
• They dry exceptionally hard and have a durable and resilient finish.
• Unlike other stains, they don’t require wiping off excess, simplifying the application. 

Cons:

• They have limited workability because of their quick drying time, so you don’t have as long to correct any imperfections.
• Improper application may result in visible brush marks on the finished surface, making them harder to work with than oil-based stains.

Still, varnish stains are great to use as an overcoat on an already stained and finished cabinet. They can give you high-quality results if you’re comfortable with a more challenging application process.

3. Water-based stain

Water-based stains are liquid wood finishes that use water as a carrier instead of solvents like oil or alcohol. They’re also environmentally friendly and contain fewer polluted particles.

Pros:

• They have a quicker drying time so that you can complete your project faster.
• Water-based stains are easy to clean up — you only need to rinse your equipment with water.
• They are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which makes them environmentally friendly and non-irritating to your eyes and skin.

Cons:

• The water can raise the grain of the wood, so you’ll need to sand the wood down between coats.
• Water-based stains don’t penetrate wood as deeply as oil-based stains, resulting in a less pronounced color.
• Because they dry very quickly, you need to wipe away any excess immediately or else your stain might end up splotchy.

Fortunately, a lot of the application complexities associated with water-based stains are easy to avoid. For example, to prevent the wood grain from rising, wet the wood before applying the stain and leave overnight. The next day, smooth the surface by sanding off the raised grain and then apply your stain.

Divide the application into short time segments to account for the quick drying time and ensure the stain applies evenly. Another way to combat this is to add a slow evaporating solvent, like lacquer retarder. But note: This will reduce the stain’s color intensity.

4. Gel stain

Gel stains are oil-based, sometimes varnish-based, with a very thick, jelly-like pigment. To achieve the gel consistency, they use a powdery thickening agent mixed with liquid resins, mineral spirits, or pigments.

Pros:

• Gel stains are thicker and less likely to drip, making them easier to apply.
• They provide a more even color application, reducing the risk of blotchiness.
• They are effective at achieving consistent finishes on porous and non-porous surfaces.

Gel stains work best for blotch-prone woods, like cherry and maple, because they give good results with fewer steps. 

For example, with oil or water-based stains, the only way to fix blotching is to sand it out or paint the wood. This is time-consuming and can be frustrating. Because of its thicker consistency, gel stain doesn’t penetrate the resin deposits of the wood as much, so there’s minimal blotching.

Cons:

• If not applied carefully, gel stains can lead to a thick buildup that obscures wood details.
• Their thickness makes them messier to apply — use a rag or cloth for best results.
• Proper surface preparation, including thorough sanding and cleaning, is crucial to getting the best results with gel stains.

5. Lacquer stain

Unlike the name suggests, most lacquer wood stains don’t contain any lacquer. Instead, they use a very fast–drying varnish as the binder. They’re called lacquer stains because a lot of professional finishers add this stain to lacquer to make a pigmented toner for adjusting color between coats of finish.

Pros:

• Lacquer stains dry within 15 minutes, reducing project completion time.
• They provide a resilient finish, offering good protection to the wood surface.
• They offer excellent clarity, enhancing the natural beauty of wood without significant color alteration.

Cons:

• Their drying time also means you have to work very quickly and precisely.
• Compared with other stains, lacquer stains have limited color options.
• Lacquer stains contain high levels of VOCs, contributing to strong odors, health concerns, and poor environmental friendliness.

Lacquer stains are more challenging to work with than other popular wood stains. We suggest using them only if you’re a professional woodworker or have spray equipment, a well-ventilated area, and a team to help.

It’s best to have at least two people when applying this stain — one to spray it and the other to wipe off the excess.

What to consider when looking for stains for kitchen cabinets

No matter what type of stain you choose, our best piece of advice is to always sample on the wood you’re using. Stains look different on different woods, so testing before committing is essential to achieving your desired effect. 

Here are some other key factors you should consider when choosing stains for kitchen cabinets:

• • The style of your kitchen cabinets. Whether they’re modern, traditional, or rustic should influence your stain choice. For instance, an oil-based wood stain enhances the historic charm of traditional cabinets by adding a deeper tone. Meanwhile, a lacquer stain is best if you have lighter, contemporary cabinets that just need a subtle finish.
  • Decide on the color you want for your cabinets. Stains come in a variety of colors, from light, natural tones to dark, rich shades. Consider your kitchen’s color scheme and choose a stain that either complements or contrasts with it.
  • Check your kitchen’s lighting conditions. The lighting in your kitchen can affect the appearance of the stain. Test it in both natural and artificial light.
  • What level of maintenance are you willing to undertake? Lighter stains show less wear and tear over time than darker ones. Similarly, wood stains generally require more upkeep than paints or varnishes. Think about your future self when selecting wood stains so that you can enjoy your cabinets, not resent them.
  • Stains come in various price ranges. Make sure to factor in your budget, especially when it comes to equipment and labor costs. For example, water-based stains are the most affordable option because you won’t have to buy solvents for cleanup or special equipment. Lacquer stains, on the other hand, are harder to apply. That may require you to pay for a professional.

Our last piece of advice is to always read the manufacturer’s recommended staining methods and dry time. These factors vary depending on the brand and will hugely influence the outcome of your cabinet doors.

Learn more with The Cabinet Door Store

If you love the idea of stained cabinet doors but don’t have the equipment, time, or budget to do it yourself or hire a professional, The Cabinet Door Store is here to help.

All our cabinet doors and drawer fronts are available in a range of stain colors. We also offer cabinet door glaze finishes to enhance the natural beauty of your cabinets while adding some depth.

If, after reading this article, you’ve decided wood stain isn’t for you, check out our selection of painted or unfinished cabinet doors, available in a variety of profiles and complete with matching drawer fronts. Whatever your project requires, we’ve got the solution.

Order online today for our fastest service, or contact us directly to find out how we can support your specific needs.