One of the advantages of Brighton Cabinetry is the exceptional selection of hardwood species available. From timeless Cherry, to versatile Maple to dramatic Rustic Hickory to popular Quarter Sawn White Oak and rich Walnut, each wood offers a distinct appearance and personality.
While every project is unique, some woods consistently rise to the top. Based on Brighton Cabinetry orders, these are the wood species designers and homeowners choose most often.
Explore Each Wood
Maple
It’s easy to see why Maple is the most often ordered wood specie from Brighton.
Why it’s popular:
- Strong
- Durable
- Resists changes in temperatures
- Won’t crack or warp
- Great for stained finishes
- Perfect for painted finishes
Quarter Sawn White Oak
Homeowner preference is moving away from painted (white) cabinets, creating a demand for Quarter Sawn White Oak that stains beautifully.
Why it’s popular:
- Versatile – works in any design from traditional to contemporary
- Natural stain lets the beauty of the wood shine through
- Prized for its light color and straight grain
The light color of Quarter Sawn White Oak looks amazing when finished in any of the translucent stains offered by Brighton.
Take a look at the fabulous Quarter Sawn White Oak kitchen in the Brighton Project Gallery.
Walnut
Walnut has long been the favorite of furniture makers and serious woodworkers. Now its desirability as a beautiful hardwood has moved to kitchen cabinets, and it’s ordered often by designers who appreciate its deep, rich color and visible grain pattern.
Why it’s popular:
- luxurious appearance
- rich chocolate color
- sophisticated grain pattern
Brighton offers a number of stains for Walnut.
Cherry
Cherry has long been a favorite wood for kitchen cabinets.
Why it’s popular:
- Warm color variations
- Adapts to any kitchen style. Contemporary, transitional, traditional, farmhouse, cottage and modern kitchen designs all look better with Cherry cabinets
- Can take darker stains the same as, if not better, than other hardwoods
Some people think that Cherry cabinets might be going out of style because they’ve been around for so long. Not true! They’re here to stay.
Hickory - Clear & Rustic
Love it or not – Hickory has its fans, placing it in the top 10 most popular woods from Brighton.
Why Hickory is popular:
- Comes in a range of natural shades, from blondish white to dark brown to deep red-brown
- Close straight grain with natural knots and twists
- Adds character to any kitchen
- Perfect for cabins and mountain homes
Unlike clear hickory, Rustic Hickory is much more dramatic. It has more knots, burls, extreme grain patterns, color ranges, and streaks of color.
Red Oak
Red Oak is experiencing a surge in popularity as an excellent substitute for White Oak.
Why it’s popular:
- Ready availability
- Affordable
- distinctive grain pattern
- Subtle reddish-brown color
- Resistant to everyday wear and tear
- Takes stain evenly without blotching creating a refined, stained wood finish.
More Information About Brighton Cabinetry's Wood Species
The “best” wood species for kitchen cabinets isn’t necessarily the most popular one. It depends on the homeowner’s design style, budget and their preferred finish. Fortunately, Brighton Cabinetry offers one of the broadest standard wood selections in the industry, giving designers the flexibility to create kitchens ranging from traditional to ultra-contemporary.
If you’d like help determining which Brighton wood species is the best fit for a particular project, Bob is happy to help.