I’ve since sold and moved from this home, but I wanted to update this post and state that the cabinets were in fabulous shape even four years after this post when we sold our home. My most popular post, by far, has been “How to Paint Your Cabinets Like a Professional.” As a result, I have gotten a lot of questions, specifically, about how to paint oak cabinets. Cabinet stain colors can drastically influence the look of your room. However, my bright kitchen will not see gel stain. DIY Staining Oak Cabinets. However, there is no way I would attempt using gel stain on my kitchen cabinets as others have. Staining oak furniture enhances the look of the wood while adding a decorative finish. For the oak cabinet shown here, we chose a red chestnut stain that darkens the wood and adds a warm red tone while bringing out oak’s natural beauty and pronounced grain. In the darker rooms like the bathrooms in our house this worked out fine.
Applying stain and finish before the cabinets are hung doesn’t take special skills, just a little time and effort. Looking for a thrifty way to update kitchen cabinets? The easy-to-use gel stain completely transforms oak cabinets. Most pine, maple, cherry etc. July 23, 2018 July 21, 2018. Check out these amazing before and after pictures for how to refinish cabinets darker. wood cabinets don’t have this extra issue. Staining kitchen cabinets is an easy, inexpensive method for turning a worn, outdated kitchen into something beautiful and warm and modern.

Also, I’m still blogging and sharing DIY ... Read More about Staining Oak Cabinets an Espresso Finish {FAQ’s} Welcome to the FAQ’s from my most popular post ever. When I started making updates to the kitchen, I wasn’t sure what I wanted in terms of the style or overall look, but Kyler was adamant that we not repaint the cabinets.
Maybe it was my oak cabinets, but I have never had so much trouble getting something to look even. I am not just talking about the fact the cabinets look like wood, this grain is etched deep into the face of the cabinets. You needn’t be a professional to stain oak furniture, cabinets or anything in between. With the right stain, a sander and a rag, your kitchen cabinets can be transformed in days. In order to make a good decision you should know how stain colors work with other parts of your kitchen. I have tackled a great deal of oak cabinet client projects, so I thought I would share some tips and tricks for painting oak cabinets that I have learned along the way, if you’re looking to give yours a refresh. Oak cabinets have the special distinction of having a very prominent wood grain. Hands down, General Finishes gel stain is the best brand for DIY projects. Find out the general kitchen cabinet stain groups and how they can enhance your cabinets with these tips. If done properly, staining and finishing the wood can be a rewarding do-it-yourself experience.

January 2018: Hi there!