Stain colors- coordinate or match trim, cabinets, floor?

6 years ago

Our main floor is an open floor plan and we’re picking out the cabinet stain soon for our builder as those will be completed first. They will be white oak, the windows are Andersen wood - so pine with pine trim. Floor will be maple or oak- need to talk to a local mill before deciding.
I’m aware the same stain can look completely different on different woods so I’m planning on staining sample pieces of each type before deciding- but not sure how the coordination should be. Match them as closely as possible with different stains- go with contrasting colors and hope my vision works... what have other people done with so much stained wood going on? Looking at a medium reddish brown currently for cabinets- like red chestnut or mahogany.

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Comments (4)

PRO
Anglophilia
6 years ago
You do not want an entire house of stained wood, same color or not. Not sure just what your "vision" is. Pictures?
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
6 years ago
It's hard to crowd source questions like this since the actual conditions are not visible, and since there are so many approaches to design.

I agree that a lot of stained surfaces in a house tends to "darken" the interiors and make it appear smaller.

Have you considered retaining an experieced designer for a few day's consultation on your project?
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badgergal
6 years ago
My house was built in 1988 so it is from the golden oak era. All my cabinets, doors, and trim were golden oak. My floors are not oak (they are ash) but they did have a golden color to them. The floors also had cherry accent in the dining area and around the great room.

We refinished the floors and left them natural. We remodeled the kitchen 7 years ago and put in natural cherry cabinets. The cabinets have darkened a bit and have a warm reddish color to them. I do think you should have your floors lighter than your cabinets. We left all the golden oak trim and doors as was. So I have a "lot of stained wood" going on. I love the look of it and I do not mind an "entire house of stained wood, same color or not" as Anglophilia warns against.

Here are some pictures of my kitchen and surrounding areas to help you visualize lots of stained wood:

Good luck with your decision.
Ash M
Original Author
6 years ago
@badgergal gorgeous home! I don’t think too much wood is going to be a problem- it’s a craftsman style 1-1/2 story with a tree for a post and exposed steel beams. I agree with lighter floor than cabinets. This pic is some of my inspiration- I’ll try to find the source as I screenshot it earlier.