The majority of kitchen cabinets are composed of wood or wood-based materials. Hardwood, plywood, medium-density fiberboard, particleboard, and wood veneer are the most common of these materials. All of these components are used to create storage shelves, doors, and other cabinet elements. When wood is the main material being used, it can be divided into three general categories: hardwoods, softwoods, and man-made materials. Hardwoods are grown exclusively for use in construction projects; they are heavy, strong, and durable. Softwoods are grown trees such as pine or cypress that can be worked with a variety of tools available at any home improvement store. They are used in both interior and exterior building projects because they are affordable and easy to work with. Man-made materials include all types of furniture manufactured from plastic, metal, or other materials. These products are used instead of wood because they are easier to clean, last longer, and don't require maintenance like wood does. Cabinets come in many different shapes and sizes. The type of wood used will determine how the cabinet is finished. If you want your cabinet to have a natural finish, then it should only contain wood species native to North America. This includes red maple, black cherry, white oak, sycamore, and poplar among others.