The Top 10 Most Popular Kitchen Cabinet Stain Colors For 2022

With countless cabinet stain options to choose from, finding the right shade to transform your kitchen can be overwhelming. From ultra-modern white to cozy antique walnut, the spectrum of wood stains and paints is limitless. But luckily, a few covetable colors rise to the top of wish lists year after year.

To discover today’s most sought-after stains, we analyzed trends from interior designers and color experts. Whether you prefer a golden java tone or an airy painted finish, keep reading for inspiration to makeover your cabinets in one of 2022’s hottest colors.

Why Stain Color Matters

Cabinetry covers a significant portion of kitchen real estate, so its color sets the tone for the whole room. Stain shades blended with wood grain add natural warmth. More solid, opaque paints make cabinets the focal point.

Lighter stains open up smaller kitchens, while darker hues cozy up spacious cooking spaces. Your choice impacts the mood as well as the apparent size. So consider your goals for the finished look and feel when choosing a stain.

Sets the Tone and Mood of the Kitchen

Staining cabinets is all about self-expression. Are you looking to create a sleek and modern kitchen or a cozy cottage? Color choices like minty sage green or cinnamon suntan communicate very different styles.

Dark espresso cabinets, for example, lend an elegant, upscale ambiance. A light gray wash feels beachy and casual. Whatever energy you want your kitchen to exude, the cabinet stain has a big impact.

Impacts How Big or Small the Space Feels

Color notoriously influences interior dimensions. Darker stains make kitchens appear smaller and more enclosed. To visually expand the space, lighter tones like glossy white open up the room.

However, if your priority is a cozy atmosphere with defined separation from other living areas, deep colors like chocolate or charcoal gray are ideal.

Ties Together Your Design Style

Consistent color schemes are the hallmark of a curated interior. Match cabinet stains to other wood elements like flooring and dining tables for a pulled-together look.

Grey washed oak cabinets coordinate seamlessly with driftwood accents and marble counters. Espresso stained cabinetry blends beautifully with walnut floors and leather barstools.

The Popularity of Wood Tones

While painted cabinets provide unlimited color options, wood stains remain a top choice year after year. The natural grain visible through semi-transparent stains perfectly balances modern updates with timeless warmth.

Wood immediately livens up any space with texture, depth, and dimension. From weathered patinas to sleek lacquers, staining allows you to highlight the uniqueness of real wood while transforming the overall color.

Warm, Natural Look Remains On Trend

Wood never goes out of style. The rich, grounded look of stained cabinets feels current in any era. Wood's welcoming ambiance and organic beauty always come back around when painted colors fall from favor.

While many love the limitless hues of paint, you just can't replicate the depth and luster of real stained wood. Minimalist styles staying in vogue keep wood stains trending.

Flexibility to Match Any Style

The adaptability of wood is unparalleled. Espresso and gray washed oak stains transform traditional cabinetry for modern spaces. Weathered driftwood finishes turn contemporary frames into cozy cottages.

Wood's capacity to shift from one aesthetic to another empowers homeowners to reimagine cabinets to suit evolving sensibilities. You can re-stain without replacing to create almost endless style options over time.

Durability and Ease of Maintenance

Wood's hardy composition stands up better to bumps and spills than painted finishes. The texture also hides grime, so wood requires less frequent scrubbing to keep cabinets looking like new.

Stains penetrate to protect from moisture damage. If scratches dig through color, they seamlessly blend when touched up. With a bit of care, stained wood survives busy kitchens for decades.

The Top 10 Most Popular Cabinet Stain Colors

Now that we've covered the basics of finding your perfect stain, let's look at the trending cabinet colors topping design wish lists this year.

1. White

Crisp white cabinetry refreshes any kitchen with an airy, spacious look. White reflects light beautifully to brighten and expand smaller kitchens.

The versatility to blend seamlessly with tile backsplashes, quartz counters, and stainless appliances makes white a perennial favorite. For timeless elegance, white cabinets always satisfy.

2. Light Gray

Warm greige or cool fog? Subtle blue influences take gray cabinets beyond basic. The barely-there color feels fresh but not antiseptic.

Light gray creates an approachable yet refined look. Pair with marble, brass, and darker wood accents for contrast and depth.

3. Espresso

With bold dark chocolate tones, espresso makes a sophisticated style statement. The deep coffee-inspired shade feels luxe and welcomingly moody.

Espresso cabinets ground contemporary spaces with a subtle hint of drama. For zen tranquility, combine with lighter quartz counters and nickel hardware.

4. Dark Walnut

The complex undertones of dark walnut read as a lived-in classic. Reds and purples coming through the deep brown give incredible visual texture.

Pair with beige and cream accents to really make the play of colors pop. Dark walnut fits seamlessly into Old World, Tuscan, and traditional spaces.

5. Weathered Gray

Soft and organic, weathered gray mimics timeworn driftwood. The white wash base coat peeks through for an antiqued charm.

Weathered gray's casual refinement works wonders in coastal cottages and modern farmhouses alike. Let this breezy, approachable neutral transform your space.

6. Taupe

Hovering alluringly between brown and gray, taupe strikes the perfect balance as a sophisticated neutral. Its versatility allows it to blend with any style.

Leaning warmer or cooler depending on the mix, taupe adds a subtle enhancing hue to natural wood. It manages to lift cabinets without overpowering.

7. Chestnut

There's something so inviting about the glossy ruddy brown of chestnut. With red undertones, the rich shade creates movement and depth.

For comfortable elegance, pair chestnut with antique brass hardware. Or take it modern with matte black fixtures and light marble.

8. Gray Wash

Gray wash stains bring airy cottage vibes to any kitchen. The white base allows the original wood tone to show through the light drifts of gray.

Seaside cottages benefit from gray wash’s breezy, weathered look. Or update traditional honey oak cabinets without losing their warmth.

9. Midnight Blue

Seeking drama? Covering cabinets in midnight blue makes an artistic statement and amazing contrast against wood floors.

The striking color needs lighter elements like quartz counters and open shelving to keep the mood uplifting. Make sure to accent with metallics for a glam vibe.

10. Beige

Beige may seem safe, but its warmth breathes life into natural wood grain. The gentle tint lets texture shine through.

Blending warm cream and brown influences, beige suits almost any design scheme. Its flexibility makes it a user-friendly option for resale.

Tips for Choosing the Best Cabinet Stain Color

Ready to select your perfect shade? Keep these tips in mind as you start testing out samples:

Consider the Size of Your Kitchen

Scale your color to the room for the best visual impact. Small spaces tend to look best with lighter tones to keep things airy. Deeper hues in larger kitchens add cozy ambiance.

Factor in Natural and Artificial Lighting

Lighting filters colors, so view them in your actual kitchen. Northern light washes out some stains. Warm bulbs cast everything in a yellow glow. Get samples sized to see how light impacts the tones.

Coordinate With Countertops and Backsplash

Create a cohesive look by choosing cabinet, counter, and backsplash colors in complementary hues. Warm wood cabinets pair best with cool stone. Dark stains need light counters to balance the space.

Look at Flooring and Other Wood Tones

Hardwood flooring, dining sets, and open shelving should coordinate with your cabinets for a collected interior. Contrasting wood finishes can feel disjointed.

Collect Paint Swatches and Samples to View True Color

Colors look different in person than on screen. Order samples sized to cabinet doors to see accurate tones. View during day and night to see how lighting changes the shades.

Ask About Stain Matching If Needed

If you need to match existing cabinetry in a remodel, don't guess. Most brands can accurately blend stains to any wood sample. Custom matching ensures a seamless look.

The hottest kitchen cabinet stains focus on gorgeous natural woodgrain with warm, organic tones. While crisp white remains popular, the depth and texture of materials like oak and walnut reign supreme.

Rather than bold painted hues, translucent stains in beige, gray, and brown provide an elegant and welcoming look perfect for gatherings. Just think through lighting and scale to select the best shade for your space.

With the right cabinet stain choice, it’s easy to showcase the authentic beauty of natural wood while still putting your own stylish spin on your kitchen. Use these popular paints and stains to stir your creative vision and craft a fashionable, inviting kitchen that reflects your personal tastes.