Stained bar cabinets with column wine fridge

The Impact of Everyday Life on Cabinets

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Every home is unique and meant to be lived in, and various factors will influence how wood cabinetry acclimates and responds over time.

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Your home’s specific environment—including temperature control, humidity levels, daily habits, and exposure to light—will shape how your cabinetry ages and evolves.

Wood is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs and releases moisture based on environmental conditions. As the air becomes more humid, wood takes in moisture and can expand slightly; when the air becomes dry, it releases moisture and may contract. This continuous exchange is a normal characteristic of natural wood and is why slight movement, such as panel shrinkage or minor warping, can occur over time—especially in stained cabinetry where the natural grain and behavior of the wood are more visible.

Photo of a shrinking center panel on a stained door, showing an unfinished area

Painted cabinet door showing unfinished outline from shrinking center panel

Expansion and Contraction

Seasonal shifts may result in visible joint lines, unstained center panel outerlines, or slight warping (up to 1/16″ per lineal foot is allowable) on doors.

Image of water damage to paint around the drawer handle

Image of water bubble under painted drawer header

Cigarette smoke discoloration on the back side of a cabinet door. The hinge was removed to show the original paint color that was protected by the hinge.

Water and Smoke Damage

Spills, excessive mopping, and smoke exposure can cause discoloration or long-term damage.

Scraped paint on the edge of a waste basket cabinet door

Normal Wear and Tear

High-use areas like trash pullouts or cabinet edges may show gradual wear over time. Surface damage, like nicks, dents, and scratches should be expected from a home well lived in!

CABINET CARE TIPS:

If you want to keep your stained (or painted) cabinets looking as new as possible, here are a few tips:

Maintain a stable humidity level (30-55%) with a whole-home humidifier.
Protect your cabinetry by controlling sunlight exposure (use window coverings).
Keep your cabinets clean from dirt buildup, etc.

Dining room hutch and service center in stained wood

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Stained home bar with sink and appliances

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Have more questions?

If you ever have questions about the behavior of your cabinetry, your Showplace dealer is just a call away.

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Specifications & Product Information Notice:
The specification, materials, and care information provided on this website are intended as a general reference only. Because Showplace cabinetry is custom-manufactured, final product characteristics will reflect the specific selections, modifications, accessories, and enhancements chosen by the homeowner in collaboration with their designer. As a result, the website content should not be interpreted as comprehensive or absolute for all projects.

Some Showplace-purchased products, including doors purchased from other manufacturers, vent hoods and blowers, internal hardware kits, etc., are manufactured by third-party suppliers. These components are subject to the supplier’s own specifications, limitations, and warranty terms. Care information can be requested through a Showplace dealer or cited on the original manufacturer’s website.

Showplace reserves the right to change or discontinue products, materials, or design specifications at any time without prior notice and without obligation to update or modify cabinetry produced previously.

Homeowners should not rely solely on website information when making purchase decisions. For precise, project-specific details including materials, construction methods, limitations, and care requirements, consult your authorized Showplace designer or dealer.