skip to main content

Walnut cabinets - natural or stain?

10 years ago

I fell in love with walnut for my kitchen cabinets. My favorite look is where it is treated with clear finish to highlight the natural look of the wood. After consulting with my cabinetmaker, he's recommended a light stain because of how much natural light my kitchen gets - big windows face east so lots of morning sun. He says that walnut lightens over time and to better preserve evenness and the depth of color I like, I should consider a stain. Anyone else have this situation? What was the fading like? Do you wish you had opted one way or the other, etc? Thank you!

Featured Answer

cluelessincolorado

10 years ago

I may not be the right person to answer questions about evenness because I have kooky UNEVEN walnut slab cabinets. With that out of the way, we did not stain ours and I haven't noticed much fading in three years. In northern Colorado with a lot of sunlight but not a lot of direct exposure. Only east facing windows.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

nycbluedevil
10 years ago
We did a light stain because the KD said it was easier to get a consistent finish with it so I took his advice. I love how they look and I am happy.
Related Discussions
Help on cherry cabinet stain color on Brazilian walnut floor
Q
Comments (4)
I love the color on the smallest door because it gives some contrast between the floor and cabs, and will also provide a bridge between dark floor and light trim so THAT contrast will not seem so stark. BTW, I love the concept of woods not all being match-y match-y but instead complementing each other and provide tone and depth. Can't wait to see it when it is all done!
...See More
Will painted cabinets hold up as well as natural or stained wood?
Q
Comments (4)
Msbrandy, I can certainly relate to your dilemma. My prior home had walnut stained cabinets with white counters which I enjoyed for 35 years. The wood was refinished twice and looked great the day the house was sold. The kitchen in my current home had a complete remodel two years ago. I chose white factory painted cabinets this time for two reasons. Like you, there are no windows in my kitchen although it faces a wall of windows because of the open concept. I really felt the need to lighten the space. The second reason is purely emotional, I was ready for a change from the dark wood. When it's time to refurbish, it should help that the doors are full overlay so they can be spray painted in a professional paint booth. As I recall, stripping and refinishing natural wood cabinets, was a major ordeal as well. Anyway, cherry or painted would be beautiful. Wishing you the best with your remodel.
...See More
traditional brick as a backsplash
Q
Comments (9)
Brick can be sealed like any marble, granite or stone. I think sealing it two times a year would be great against grease. I love the earthy classic feel of a brick blacksplash with the black countertop you are planning. If you check out the link attached you can see what I mean. Hope they help. ~boxer http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0700571915923.html Here is a link that might be useful: brick backsplashes
...See More
What do your stained or natural wood cabinets look like?
Q
Comments (38)
I just saw this. I have to tell you, stained cabinets never spoke to me. I'd come across a painted kitchen and "ooOOOoooooo," I'd softly quiver. ("quiver?" OMG. I said "quiver.") Anyway, that was until the day I stripped some vintage, beaded inset cabinets down to bare oak. Holy moly were they pretty. I antiqued them with a gray stain, then 2 different tones of brown to reach an incredible finish. Then, I stripped some of those horrible dark red/black cherry cabinets, again, down to bare wood. So absolutely beautiful. I've actually done the same finish now on 4 antique doors, too. LOVE IT. Now I have such a mix of wood in my kitchen it probably looks stupid, but I call it "eclectic." (No, it's not nice just because I did it. It's just that I can't decide now what to do!) But I don't want to repaint them. My point in all this? I love the pictures this question is provided. Thanks for asking. Also, don't be shy about Citristripping the finish off your cabs and restaining. It's a PIA, but incredibly do-able in place with Citristrip. Messy, but no longer flesh-eating. Just a thought.
...See More
ck_squared
10 years ago
My just installed walnut cabinets have a light stain and I love how they look. We went with a stain after seeing natural walnut cabinets in an office without any windows and saw how much lighter they were than original walnut color.
SaltLife631
10 years ago
A light stain will even out the coloration throughout the wood. With that said the character of walnut is what has consistently grabbed our attention over time. We wanted to see the walnut in all of it's natural glory. Here is a link to some of our photos:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg081425281125.html
Good luck and I look forward to seeing your project.
cat_mom
10 years ago
I can attest firsthand as to how gorgeous nycbluedevil's walnut cabinets are!!!!!
sochi
10 years ago
Mine are natural, no stain. We've had them for four years, they have lightened but in a uniform manner. They don't get much direct light though.

I hate to stain walnut, but if your cabinets get lots of direct light perhaps a very, very light stain. Nothing that messes with the gorgeous grain.
bookmom41
10 years ago
My kitchen table is solid walnut, with a light stain and my kitchen cabinets are cherry, also with a light stain. The table is probably ten years old and has gotten lighter. The cabinetry is only a year old, but definitely darker than when it was installed. My kitchen faces north. I can't really speak to the "evenness" of walnut as it lightens, but I do think a light stain helps bring out the beauty of walnut. It's my favorite wood--I am sure your cabinets will be gorgeous no matter what you choose.
LoPay
10 years ago
I would not stain it. If it is solid walnut, and if it gets lighter, you can always try staining a test patch and go from there. It would be harder to take the stain off, than to start with no stain.

However, I did the opposite with my oak cabinets. I put a light walnut stain on them so the wood wouldn't get "golden" over time. I can always have the fronts refinished since they are solid slabs.
jakuvall
10 years ago
Pics of natural walnut floors at client home and lightly stained walnut island display.
Floors are over 10 years, less than 20- on left shows heavy sun exposure, right shows minimal sun
Display with light stain about 1.5 yrs- left no sun, right some morning sun.
MrsD
9 years ago
What color is the stain on island
jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)
9 years ago
I have walnut that has a dark stain on it in the kitchen and I have a walnut bathroom vanity that is natural. They are like night and day. The dark walnut is very even and you can see the grain but it is very subtle. The unstained walnut shows the grain very prominently and is very lively. They are both lovely in their own way.
MrsD
9 years ago
With the natural finish, did you just do clear lacquer and which sheen did you go with satin or semi gloss?
cluelessincolorado
9 years ago
We used a satin finish.

Related Stories

KITCHEN CABINETS Painted vs. Stained Kitchen Cabinets

Wondering whether to go for natural wood or a painted finish for your cabinets? These pros and cons can help

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Walnut Cabinets Channel Midcentury Style

By Mitchell Parker

Warm wood cabinets complement a collection of midcentury modern furniture, while an airier layout celebrates leafy views

KITCHEN CABINETS Kitchen Cabinet Color: Should You Paint or Stain?

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn about durability, looks, cost and more for wooden cabinet finishes to make the right choice for your kitchen

KITCHEN CABINETS New This Week: 3 Knockout Kitchens With Natural Wood Cabinets

By Mitchell Parker

Whether light and breezy or rich and moody, these wood-rich kitchens might make you rethink painted cabinets

WHITE KITCHENS Walnut Brings Its Natural Beauty to a ‘Clean, Honest’ Kitchen

By Erin Carlyle

A mix of wood, white and other finishes gives this kitchen its inviting, collected feel

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Stunning Stain Colors for Kitchen Cabinets

By Jennifer Ott Design

Transform raw wood for custom-looking cabinetry with a stain that fills your need for color but lets the grain show through

KITCHEN DESIGN White-and-Walnut Kitchen Cabinets Steal the Show

By Allison McLeay

A mix of cabinetry and integrated appliances creates a great-looking space for a couple to entertain in

KITCHEN DESIGN Seeing Green: Some Kitchens Ditch White for Mother Nature’s Neutral

By Erin Carlyle

It’s typically the primary color in gardens. Now green is having a moment in the kitchen

DECORATING GUIDES Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Green From the Great Outdoors

By Laura Gaskill

Green will grow on you for interiors when you look outside for ideas on how to use it

COLOR Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Blue From the Great Outdoors

By Laura Gaskill

Take some cues from the sea and sky to find a blue to match any taste and mood

Sponsored

More Discussions

hello , what are your thoughts on two tone countertops?

5

kitchen countertops

2

Silver colored drawer pulls and faucet

1

contractor chooses kitchen

13

Two tier drawer in 3 stack

11