15 Stained Kitchen Ideas
Wood-stained cabinets and kitchen accents are timeless choices that bring warmth, style, and personality to any kitchen. They are versatile enough to fit any look, whether you’re going for modern, rustic, or classic vibes. Our stained cabinets are some of our most popular cabinet options, and customers love them!
We’ve gathered our top 15 stained kitchen ideas to inspire your next kitchen design.
1. Choose Seating that Complements your Stained Cabinets
Photo Credit: Cape Home Kitchen & Bath
Choosing seating in the kitchen is all about balance and harmony. Select materials and finishes that complement your cabinet stain, like upholstered seats in neutral tones for rich, wood stains, or leather seats in a similar tone to your cabinets.
2. Mix and Match with Two-Tone
Photo credit: My House Kitchen
Stained cabinets can be matched with painted for a beautifully contrasting two-tone look in the kitchen. Pair the warm, natural tones of Timber with the crisp, clean finish of Frost to achieve a perfectly balanced and on-trend design. Two-tone kitchens are a smart design choice for any space, as they can make smaller kitchens feel larger and more open while adding personality to larger ones.
3. Embrace the Urban Farmhouse Look
A farmhouse-style kitchen can be created by combining stained cabinets with subway tiles, a shiplap backsplash or accent wall, and minimalist hardware. Add light stained cabinets with minimalist hardware in matte black, brushed nickel, or oil-rubbed bronze, and add open shelving and vintage-inspired lighting.
4. Keep Things Open
Stained floating shelves are a great way to show off your favorite décor, dishware, plants, and more. It’s both functional and stylish and great for small kitchens. To DIY your floating shelves, check out our step-by-step guide.
5. Dark and Dramatic
Dark-stained kitchen cabinets like Kona will add depth and warmth to your kitchen. To keep the design balanced, pair these cabinets with lighter elements such as bright countertops, neutral backsplashes, and accents in soft hues.
6. Warm Walnut Accents
Walnut wood automatically adds character and charm to your kitchen, especially with the Walnut Hood finish. Pairing well with neutral walls and cabinets, its deep, natural tones and grain patterns create warmth and character, effortlessly blending modern and classic styles.
7. Rustic Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed barn wood can be used for open shelving, a table, an accent wall, a backsplash, or other accents throughout your kitchen. The natural textures, weathered details, and rich tones of barn wood bring an authentic, lived-in feel to your space, making it the perfect complement to a farmhouse-style kitchen.
8. Scandinavian Inspired
Blonde or light wood keeps your kitchen light and natural, with a minimalist and modern feel that works for kitchens of any size. Up the ante with a Scandinavian inspired design. Think clean lines, muted color palettes, and cozy textures. Pair your light wood cabinets with matte black hardware and natural elements like stone or plants.
9. Midcentury Modern Simplicity
Midcentury modern style is a design style that is forever on-trend. Opt for warm wood tones paired with clean lines and minimalist hardware for the signature retro vibe. To finish the look, incorporate some bold accents like a geometric backsplash.
10. Light, Neutral Grey
Photo Credit: Dean Cabinetry
Light, neutral grey cabinets are an alternative to dark wood cabinets. They pair beautifully with light accents for a calm and modern vibe and work with many aesthetics from transitional to modern.
11. Modern Mocha Elegance
Mocha stained cabinets are perfect for contemporary kitchens. Mocha’s rich, mid-toned brown is bold and earthy, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. Its versatile hue pairs beautifully with a range of design elements- think sleek countertops, modern hardware, and statement backsplashes.
12. Add Textured Layers
Mix and match textures by using different woods for upper and lower cabinets. Use contrasting tones and textures to make your design stand out. This can be done by mixing vertical and horizontal grain or smooth and grooved panels.
13. Hide Your Fridge in Style
Appliance panels will complete your stained kitchen design. Hiding appliances behind panels that match your stained cabinets will give a streamlined and seamless look to your kitchen, while highlighting the beautiful stain of your cabinetry.
14. Add Statement Light Fixtures
Photo Credit: Cape Home Kitchen & Bath
Statement light fixtures bring so much personality to your kitchen! Choosing fixtures with complementary colors and textures to your stained cabinets can really pull the whole space together, creating a beautifully cohesive look.
15. Rustic Charm with Knotty Pine
Knotty pine brings a nostalgic, cabin-like feel to your space. The natural knots and textures in the wood add personality and warmth, making them a contender for country-style kitchens. Add retro hardware like ceramic knobs for a vintage-inspired touch. You can also incorporate open shelving, butcher block countertops, and a warm color palette to tie the look together.
Wood stains in the cabinets or accents bring countless ways to personalize the kitchen. From bold and dramatic to soft and natural, there’s a wood stain for everyone. Use different types of wood like knotty pine or reclaimed wood, or combine multiple wood textures to embrace the beauty of wood stains in your kitchen. Check out our Visualizer to view how our stains will look in your designed space.