Which wood can be stained to look like cherry?

Question

I am making a bookshelf and can only get my hands on certain types of finished plywood for the sides and back of the bookshelf.
I can get Oak, Birch and Maple. I was leaning toward maple.

The finish I need to match is dark and not completely transparent on cherry wood.

Answer 1

Birch is the best choice. It will take the stain to look like cherry better than maple. Oak doesn't come close to the grain structure of cherry.

Maple tends to be very dense and doesn't take stain very well unless you want a very, very like color.

I have used birch plywood for the back portions of several cherry pieces and it can be made to look more like cherry than the other two choices.

Answer 2

The darker the stain, the smaller the room will look. Obviously that's just aesthetics, but it will influence how you feel about the room. Personally I like maple cabinets, which are that light blond kind of color. They look great with a black granite countertop (or better yet a Silestone countertop which is more stain, water and heat resistant). I would also do the backsplash in the same material as your countertop as you don't want to get too many different things going at the same time, although if they made a ceramic tile that exactly matched what you picked for the floor that would look good as it would tie everything together. For flooring, I would go with something that compliments the cabinets, and let your countertop be the contrast. If you can't do the maple, at least go for cherry, and then do a floor that is similar.

Answer 3

Birch would probably be your best bet. The softer the wood, the more it will absorb the stain. Birtc also has straight grain which wood simulate cherry better when finished.

Answer 4

I think cherry wood would be quite good

Answer 5

it doesnt matter the type of wood. only the type of stain u purchase to put on it