Freshly renovated, your kitchen is now picture-perfect. One of the most significant decisions you will make is deciding on the perfect cabinet finish color. Should you opt for the traditional wood variety or the bright and clean white color scheme?
Wood adds coziness and timelessness, while white is clean, fresh and modern. Which one’s right for you? If in doubt, check portfolios of a recently designed modern kitchen online for inspiration. Take note of what cabinet colors pair well with certain materials like granite, tiles, and stainless-steel appliances commonly used in the contemporary kitchen aesthetic.
To assist you in selecting the right option for you, this post explores the pros and cons of both cabinet finishes. From design tips to practical advice, it delves deep into the comparison between a wood and white kitchen cabinet finish.
Differentiating Wood and White Kitchen Cabinet Finish
When deciding on kitchen cabinets for you, both have advantages and drawbacks. Below are some of the major differences between the two.
Aesthetic Appeal
Wood is a classic look that warms up the space and makes it more inviting. It also adds texture and detail to the kitchen’s design.
White is a more modern look that can create a bright and airy feeling in the kitchen. It helps the kitchen look larger and can bring a clean, minimalistic look to the space.
The rich grains and textures of wood add comfort and dimension for a striking effect. While wood stains have come and gone in popularity over decades, it remains a quintessentially classic choice. White is eternally crisp and brilliant. White cabinets lend a beachy vibe or contemporary edge, based on accompanying finishes and materials.
Both wood and white kitchen cabinet finishes have great aesthetic appeal and can result in a beautiful kitchen. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, but it is important to consider factors such as the kitchen’s design elements and how much natural light the room receives.
Maintenance Requirements
Choosing wood cabinets can require more intense upkeep. Wood cabinets need to be sealed with a protective coating on a regular basis to maintain their moisture and temperature levels. They must also be wiped clean and often buffed to keep dust, sticky fingerprints, and marks from seeping into the porous material. After many years of heavy use, a wood cabinet requires resanding and resealing to maintain its sheen.
On the other hand, white cabinets are significantly easier to maintain and can be updated with a simple wipe-down with a non-abrasive cleaner. White cabinets can become dull over time and will not have the shiny new look that wood cabinets have, but they can easily be updated with a fresh coat of paint or a different hardware finish. The stubborn stains on white cabinets clean up well with a bit of baking soda and water solution. Over time, however, white paint or laminate may chip or yellow. Touch-up kits easily blend repairs, so you don’t have to worry.
If maintenance is a prime concern when deciding on kitchen cabinet finishes, white may be the way to go.
Price Differences
Budget plays a crucial role in choosing cabinet materials. Wood is typically the more expensive option. But since the wood’s inherent beauty adds value, wood makeovers pay off upon home resale. Cabinet manufacturers create wood cabinetry by utilizing natural wood. It is utilized to refinish the cabinetry elements with laminates, veneers, and stains.
White cabinetry is often constructed of reconstituted wood. This is a less expensive production material. This type of cabinetry will much more cost-effectively blend into traditional kitchen designs. Additionally, materials like melamine cost roughly half as much as wood. Ready-to-assemble options help cut costs, too, compared to custom-built cabinetry.
Practicality of Each Finish
If practicality is the priority when choosing a kitchen cabinet finish, then neither wood nor white should be eliminated while considering options.
Wood is an acidic material, meaning it stands up to all kinds of juice, grease, and other cooking residue. With proper maintenance, it remains as good as new.
White, on the other hand, may not be as hardy as wood, but it is more versatile. It is perfect for a kitchen area with limited space since white reflects light and can make a room look bigger.
Decide on Your Kitchen Cabinet Finish Today
Overall, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between a white or wood kitchen cabinet finish. Either can be a great choice depending on the design you are going for.
If you can’t decide between the two, why not try a combination of both wood and white cabinets? To get started on your perfect design, contact a professional kitchen designer today!
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