How to Choose the Right Finish: Stains, Paints, and Everything In Between
The right cabinet finish can completely transform the look, feel, and longevity of your custom cabinetry. Whether you’re designing a new kitchen, bathroom vanity, built-in entertainment center, or home office, the finish you choose plays a critical role in tying the entire space together.
At SWFL Custom Cabinetry, we offer a curated range of finishing options—from timeless wood stains to bold painted tones and sleek matte laminates—each selected to meet the functional and aesthetic goals of your project. Serving Naples, Bonita Springs, and Estero, our local team will guide you through every detail to ensure your finish fits beautifully into your home’s overall design.
Stained Cabinet Finishes: Showcasing Natural Beauty
Stained finishes are ideal for homeowners who appreciate the organic warmth and unique character of natural wood. Unlike painted cabinetry, stains allow the wood grain and texture to remain visible, adding richness and depth to the surface.
At SWFL Custom Cabinetry, we offer a wide selection of wood species and custom stain blends, including:
Rift-sawn white oak for a subtle, linear grain pattern
Walnut for a deep, luxurious tone
Maple and cherry for versatile warmth and color variation
Stained cabinetry is especially popular in transitional and rustic designs, where natural materials take center stage. It also tends to age beautifully over time, developing patina that adds to its appeal.
Painted Cabinet Finishes: Tailored Color and Timeless Style
Painted finishes remain one of the most requested options for custom cabinetry in Naples, particularly in kitchens, laundry rooms, and built-ins. Paint offers a smooth, even color and can be matched to virtually any hue—making it ideal for homeowners looking to achieve a specific palette.
Popular painted cabinet colors include:
Classic whites and off-whites for a clean, coastal look
Moody blues and grays for a modern or transitional style
Custom colors to coordinate with tile, stone, or accent walls
We use conversion varnish, a professional-grade finish known for its durability, smooth texture, and resistance to wear and stains. Combined with advanced spraying and curing techniques, the result is a flawless painted surface built to last in high-use areas.
Matte Finishes: Sleek and Contemporary
For those who prefer a modern aesthetic, matte cabinet finishes offer a clean, low-sheen appearance. Matte surfaces are especially common in frameless cabinetry and slab-style doors, where the focus is on minimalism and simplicity.
Available in both high-quality laminates and engineered wood veneers, matte finishes provide:
Scratch and fingerprint resistance
Soft-touch feel
Consistent, uniform color
This option is perfect for contemporary homes or design-forward clients who want something different from traditional gloss or stain.
Choosing the Right Finish for Your Space
Our design team will help you explore how each finish interacts with your home’s natural lighting, flooring, hardware, and overall design style. The right cabinet finish should not only look beautiful—it should perform well over time and feel right in the context of your daily life.
When making your selection, consider:
Durability and maintenance requirements
Room size and lighting levels
Style of cabinetry (inset vs. frameless)
Mood or atmosphere you want to create
At SWFL Custom Cabinetry, your cabinetry is as much about how it feels as how it looks. Let us help you choose a finish that reflects your style, enhances your space, and stands the test of time.
Visit our Naples showroom or book a design consultation today to start exploring finish options tailored to your vision.