Design Notes

Custom Cabinet Finishes

Color gets the attention. Preparation creates the finish.

Whether cabinetry is painted or stained, the final appearance depends on numerous steps that happen before you ever see the finished door.

Painted vs. Stained Cabinetry

Paint creates a more uniform color.

Stain celebrates wood’s natural character.

Neither is universally better.

They’re simply different design languages.

Wood Species Matters

Different species have different grain patterns and characteristics.

Walker offers standard species, including maple, quarter-sawn white oak, walnut, cherry, alder, and hickory, with additional species available for custom applications.

Painted Cabinet Materials

Material selection matters here too.

Walker uses MDF panels in painted doors because they’re less susceptible to the expansion and contraction patterns visible in hardwood panels.

green bathroom cabinets

Preparation Is Everything

Sanding and surface preparation create the foundation.

A premium finish can’t compensate for poor preparation.

Stain Celebrates Natural Variation

Wood is natural.

Variation isn’t necessarily a defect—it’s part of the material.

Two boards from the same species can absorb stain differently or display different grain.

That’s part of what makes wood cabinetry beautiful.

Think About the Whole Room

Cabinet finish should coordinate with:

  • Countertops
  • Flooring
  • Tile
  • Hardware
  • Lighting
  • Wall colors

The goal isn’t choosing the prettiest sample.

It’s choosing the finish that belongs in the overall design.

Custom cabinets can be tailor-made to fit the specifications of your home, offering more storage and functional options. Furthermore, they add value to your home and make it stand out from the crowd.

Countertops are an important selection, especially in the kitchen, since they will be used daily from dinner prep to morning routines. They are the workhorses of the kitchen space and must be considered when shopping for the specific material that will be used.

Tailored to fit your space, preferences, and individual style, custom cabinetry brings many benefits that elevate your entertainment experience to new heights.

With so many unique storage options available to organize your kitchen, here are a few ways that Walker Woodworking can help you get your kitchen organized. Our team of experts was creative in making some of these storage options work for the homeowner’s specific needs.

Closets are utilized on a daily basis. We reach for something to put on, grab a sweatshirt in case it gets chilly at work, and, of course, we must have a place to store a host of shoes.