Thinking of refacing your cabinets? Adding new cabinet veneers can lend style and charm to your kitchen and add value at the same time. New veneers are certainly less expensive to install than by purchasing custom new cabinetry, and a refacing project can be completed quickly, making it less-intrusive to your family routine. There’s a wide range of veneer types out there, enabling you to chose the right fit for your décor without compromising your budget.

Round up design ideas before you settle on a plan. The National Kitchen & Bath Association hosts annual design competitions and you can view winning projects online. And our own video can provide a solid overview of how to integrate cabinets in your kitchen plan. If you’re only interested in investing in fresh paint, you can find a comprehensive view of the steps at Do It Yourself.com.

Choosing Wood Cabinet Veneers
Veneers are made from peeled tree bark or flitches, sliced cross-sections of wood. The slice creates the grain that’s unique to the wood you choose. A raw veneer has no backing and can be applied with either side face-up. Paper backed veneers are a good choice for those using large sections on their cabinetry. Laid-up veneers are raw pieces joined together for custom shapes. Let’s look at some wood choices:

Maple is a reddish wood that works beautifully in decors that rely on an off-white appearance.

Cherry has a pink hue in its veneer and will darken over its lifetime of use.

Hickory is sandy in appearance and lends charm to a country theme.

Oak has a light-brown appearance when made into a veneer.

Ash has a wider grain than some other options and has a soft look and feel to it.

Want some professional assistance with your choices? Kitchen-Cabinets Design.com can match you with qualified companies.

More and more homeowners are choosing wood today for new and replacement cabinets. A survey last year by Kitchen + Bath Business Magazine revealed that nearly 42 percent of the wood used by cabinet manufacturers in 2008 was maple, with cherry accounting for 21 percent.

Dark colors give an upscale look to your kitchen, while medium-toned wood and light colors lend a fresh, clean, and warm appearance. Medium wood colors go well with neutral tiles and stones in your counter tops, while light woods balance well with bright colors and tiles.

No matter your choice in colors, let’s look at some of the characteristics among the choices in wood:

Cherry
Cherry typically comes in a deep, reddish shade and with a uniform grain pattern it can add charm and elegance.

Maple
Maple is the top choice primarily because of its durability and grain that easily accepts the color or staining choice for your kitchen.

Pine
Pine is an inexpensive option, and its light color and strong grain adds rustic character. Not a good choice for formal or elegant kitchens. Knotty pine looks great when paired with tiled walls and red-toned countertops.

Oak
Its traditional place in American kitchens coupled with exceptional durability continues to make oak a popular choice. The stain can add or decrease the detail of its grain and texture.

Hickory
Hickory can be a good choice for a rustic or country kitchen theme. It’s a hard wood with a straight grain, known for durability.

Birch
Cabinet makers often choose birch for stock facings and cabinets because it’s an inexpensive material. It has shortcomings if you decide to repaint or stain, since it may not color evenly.

Whether you’re creating a new cabinet scheme or upgrading an existing one, you’re sure to find a material that suits your style and budget.