When it comes to custom cabinetry, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is the finish—painted or stained. Both options offer distinct advantages and aesthetics, and the right choice depends on your personal style, the look of your home, and how you plan to use the space.

At Forma Cabinetry, we offer both painted and stained finishes across all our cabinetry packages. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences to help you decide what’s best for your project.

1. Appearance & Style

Painted Cabinets:

Painted finishes offer a smooth, solid color surface that hides wood grain. They work beautifully with shaker or inset doors and are popular in styles ranging from classic white kitchens to bold, modern tones like navy or charcoal.

Best for: Clean, timeless, or colorful design aesthetics.

Stained Cabinets:

Stained finishes enhance the natural beauty of the wood, showcasing unique grain patterns and color variations. Whether you choose red oak, white oak, alder, or maple, stains bring warmth and depth to your cabinetry.

Best for: Rustic, traditional, or organic modern spaces.

2. Durability & Maintenance

Painted Cabinets:

Paint provides a smooth finish but is more prone to showing chips, scratches, and expansion lines over time—especially in high-use areas. However, a high-quality paint job with a proper topcoat can hold up for years with routine care.

Stained Cabinets:

Because stain penetrates the wood rather than sitting on top, it’s less likely to chip. Minor wear tends to blend in better, making stained cabinets more forgiving in busy households or secondary spaces like utility rooms and offices.

3. Material Considerations

Painted Cabinets:

Best applied to smooth, fine-grain woods like maple or MDF to avoid texture or grain bleed-through. We often use painted maple for its clean, consistent finish.

Stained Cabinets:

Ideal for wood species with attractive grain patterns such as oak, alder, or walnut. Stain brings out the character of the wood, making each piece truly unique.

4. Cost Difference

Staining is typically more budget-friendly than painting due to fewer finishing steps and less material cost. Painted cabinets require more prep work, priming, and multiple coats to achieve a smooth, durable surface—especially with lighter colors.

5. Which Should You Choose?

• Choose painted cabinets if you love a clean, modern look or want bold, custom colors.
• Choose stained cabinets if you appreciate natural textures, want lower maintenance, or are leaning toward a warm, earthy design style.

Forma Cabinetry Tip: Many of our clients mix both finishes in their homes—painted cabinets in the kitchen and stained cabinetry in a study, island, or bathroom—to create depth and visual contrast.

Let’s Find the Perfect Finish for You

Whether you’re designing a full home package or refreshing one room at a time, we’re here to help you choose the right cabinetry finish to match your style, needs, and budget.

Contact us to view samples or visit one of our completed projects in Central Texas.