16 Types of Kitchen Cabinet Finishes [Features + Pros & Cons]

Nothing changes the overall aesthetic of your kitchen better than updating the kitchen cabinets. But the type of cabinet finish you use can be a deal-breaker! It can make or break the cohesion of your kitchen design.

The kitchen cabinet market is growing at the fastest pace, with a market valuation of more than 160 billion in 2025. Likewise, the demand for kitchen cabinet finishes will grow exponentially.

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Whether you are refinishing or refacing brand-new cabinets, this guide will help you understand the different types of kitchen cabinet finishes, plus their pros and cons. 

JUMP TO: Natural | Waterborne UV finish | Painted | Stained | Veener | Matte | Glaze | Melamine | Acrylic | Lacquer | Laminate | Varnish | Gloss | Semi-Gloss | Polyurethane | Epoxy |

Natural

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Natural cabinets are becoming a trend that is taking the market by storm. Their appearance is simple yet very beautiful.

Natural finishes are clear and protective and help to bring out the real color variations within the wood. You don’t use any dyes or stains.

Does this mean that natural cabinets look unpolished? Not at all!

Finishing involves sanding and oiling with mineral oil, linseed Tung, or mink. As such, they have a rustic appeal & charm and maintain uniformity & balance throughout the kitchen.

Although these cabinet finishes are considered long-lasting, it is essential to note that some woods are more durable than others. Consequently, be sure to do your research before purchasing wood for your kitchen cabinets.

Important tip: Natural wood is homogeneous. So, you will need the necessary design skills to coordinate a unified kitchen design plan and decorative aspects.

Waterborne UV finish

Waterborne UV finish offers high-performance cabinets designed to reduce environmental impact.

It is formaldehyde-hazard-free, scratch-resistant, and has minimal volatile organic compounds. 

Unlike most kitchen cabinet finishes, it has less downtime between application time and use.

It dries super-fast, then is cured with UV light. The result is amazing!

The aesthetic of waterborne finish is similar to that of stained, painted, or varnished cabinets.

Painted

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Are you looking to conceal wood grains and other imperfections on your kitchen cabinet material? 

Consider a painted finish. Painted (opaque) cabinets come in a wide range of colors, making it easy to match any kitchen style.

The best thing about painting cabinets is that it gives you immense control/ freedom over the appearance of your kitchen.

The color of your kitchen cabinets enables you to design the rest of the kitchen. It also makes it easy to choose the type of cabinet appliances and décor suitable for the space.

According to research, 32% of homeowners prefer white cabinets, while 26% prefer medium brown.

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Stained

Staining is an excellent finish if you want to enhance the natural beauty of your kitchen wood cabinets. It is durable, affordable, and easy to use & maintain.

Cabinet stain comprises natural dyes and pigments. It can be solvent-based or water-based.

The stain finish soaks deep into the cabinet and becomes part of the wood. As a result, it does not peel or crack because it swells and shrinks with the wood.

Wood cabinets have different types of cabinet stain cabinet finish, each producing a unique appearance when applied on a surface. 

The stain is easy to touch up if your cabinets discolor or chip. Better still, the stain rarely fades and is easy to clean.

According to research, stained cabinets are 10-15% less expensive than painted cabinets.

Veneer

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Veneer finishes are almost similar to laminates. The only significant difference is that veneer is made from thin slices of natural wood, while the laminate is made from paper.

There are different types of veneer finishes, such as teak veneer and oak veneer. You can consider this finish if you want a natural wood appearance on your cabinets.

Related Read: Should Wall Color Match Kitchen Cabinets? 

Matte

Matte finishes tend to absorb light rather than reflect it. They are perfect if you are looking for more muted-tone kitchen cabinets.

Since light does not bounce off the surfaces, the kitchen will have a subtle appeal. In addition, matte finishes have similar protective qualities as high gloss lacquer, only that they don’t show dirt and fingerprints as much.

This finish is more practical and perfect for a home with young kids.

Glaze

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Consider finishing them with a glaze when staining or painting your kitchen cabinets. Apply a semi-transparent or transparent glaze over your cabinets, then wipe it off. The glaze settles into the cabinet’s details, bevels, and lines, leaving only a thin layer on the surface.

A glaze finish adds a rustic impression and antique look to the cabinets.

Adding a glaze finish to your cabinets is excellent if you want to highlight some details. For example, a hand-carved, intricate design on your kitchen cabinet door becomes more notable under a glazed finish. 

Glazed cabinets match best with classic-styled or farmhouse kitchens. The additional depth and complexity of the finish cause it to stand out.

There are various glaze colors, both light and dark. There is also an accent glaze which you only apply on the details you want to highlight rather than the whole cabinet door.

Melamine

Melamine finishes are very versatile and durable. These kitchen cabinet finishes are applied on cabinets by sealing thermally fused melamine (TFM) using intense heat to plywood, MDF, pressed wood, or any other hardwood substrate.

The most amazing thing about the TFM is that it comes with a paper-like layer that you can print in any design or color of your choice. Also, the printed layer has a high-resolution image that delivers a 3D look.

You can use textured melamine to mimic real wood.

This finish forms a non-porous layer on your cabinet surface. The layer is stain-resistant, water-resistant, and easy to clean.

Also Read: Painted Vs. Thermofoil Cabinets [Explained with Pros + Cons]

Acrylic

Acrylic finish is comparable to lacquer in that it is shiny, non-toxic, and has a high gloss appearance.

It is available in a wide range of colors and gives your kitchen a mirror-like, seamless look.

Acrylic cabinets are excellent for high-end kitchens because of their luxurious appearance.

Lacquer

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The lacquer finish is a solvent-based paint that leaves a firm, non-porous surface on your cabinets. You can either spray or brush it on, and it dries in about 15 minutes. This way, you can add multiple layers fast when doing a DIY project.

Once the finish dries, it leaves a smooth, even surface that is super-easy to clean.

This finish offers a long-lasting gloss on the cabinets. Besides, it is so durable and easy to apply.

Lacquered kitchen cabinets are available in matte, high gloss, and medium gloss. They come in varying hues and can fit any cabinet style.

Although this lacquer paint finish is durable, it can crack if the wood beneath is swollen from water leakage. These cabinets are not resistant to chemicals of any kind, including salty water.

Laminate

The laminate finish is a cost-effective, durable option for kitchen cabinets. The laminate is hot-pressed to remove bubbles and air from the shutters to prevent sharp corners.

Then, edge banding with the same color laminate is applied to the cabinet corners to prevent the edges from chipping off. `

Laminate cabinets have two options to choose from matte and high gloss. Besides, more durable laminate varieties for kitchen cabinets have been introduced in the market. These include Thermal Structured Surface (TSS) and porta door style, commonly known as PET.

You can get laminate in any color and one that mimics the look of wood.

Varnish

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Almost all kitchen cabinets have varnish on them.

Varnish is a clear top coat applied to cabinets to increase their durability. It forms a hard, protective layer when it dries. 

The common types of varnishes are conversion and polyurethane. Conversion is the most durable of the two.

Gloss

Gloss cabinets have a shiny surface that gives them a very contemporary look. For better results, many homeowners prefer glossy white cabinets. It makes your kitchen appear larger.

Moreover, gloss cabinets reflect a lot of light, thanks to their smooth surface.

 Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss kitchen cabinet finishes appear shinier than satin. Most importantly, their luster is more constant.

They give your kitchen a bright appearance. However, they tend to outshine the base color of your kitchen. Consequently, a semi-gloss paint finish may not be ideal for every project.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is one of the top-tier kitchen cabinet finishes. It features a paint mixture of a hardener plus satin.

Many homeowners express their satisfaction with polyurethane thanks to its high durability. According to reviews, it’s also hard to scratch, making it a favorite to many users.

Additionally, this paint finish can fit almost any kitchen style. As such, you can opt for it whether you have a contemporary or traditional design.

Epoxy

It is a latex acrylic product with a nice, appealing shine. It is also durable and has a tough, protective coating resistant to corrosion and chemicals.

The epoxy finish gives your cabinets a nice appealing finish. Its popularity also stems from its being highly durable and tough, even against corrosive chemicals.

However, customer reviews show that its high cost prohibits most homeowners from using it. According to research, epoxy paint finish costs between  $40 and $200 a gallon, which is quite high.