Should I paint or stain my oak kitchen cabinets?
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I was wondering if you could help me with something -- I have an entirely oak kitchen. I know it's the rage now to paint or gel stain cabinets. I've been considering it! The problem is I also have an oak farmhouse table and an oak china hutch. Not sure what to do. Trends come and go -- for all I know white and painted kitchens could be out of style in a year or two. Does anyone have tips on how to paint kitchen cabinets?
My oak galley-style kitchen
The eat-in dining area of my home's kitchen, with an oak farmhouse table and oak china cabinet.
Do you sand kitchen cabinets before gel staining them?
"Everyone" who says they did it, said no sanding. However I will say, that the kitchen cabinets will accumulate a great deal of grease and dust. So giving them a good scrub down with a de-greaser such as KrudKutter is a good idea. Personally, I think it's a good idea to watch a couple of videos on youtube using the sprayer. Search "spray paint kitchen cabinets". If you have to fill in holes or have deep scratches you may have to do some light sanding.
I've actually begun the process of painting the cabinets white! I'm about half way through now, and love how the white cabinets brighten the kitchen. If you check my posts in my profile, you can find photos for my "new" kitchen. Thanks for all of your input and help!
It says share my thoughts and well since I change my decor as often as other people change their minds I prefer my wood cabinets and change up colors and even style. I went from red coca cola to purple wine country and now im in my Modern stage with Yellow. lol. If you are having trouble with dull finish or just buildup that makes them look dull I don't mind sharing my favorite product made here in Oklahoma called The Victorian House Finish Rejuvenator. Its a really great product for diy on any wood that looks bad especially kitchens but also furniture and antiques and such. A lot of times a good cleaning makes the wood come alive again. Ive used it and sold it at my antique and used furniture store for years. Its online now. www.thevictorianhouseproducts.com
If they're already painted, they're unlikely to have wood worthy of being stained, in which case, I would paint it.
My husband painted our old cabinets with paint + primer. Big mistake. If you are going to paint, use a good quality primer first. He put 3 coats of paint on the cabinets and they still looked like they needed another coat.
Paint will cover up the grain. Your best would be to sand the old finish off and use a semi-transparent stain. If the old finish isn't removed the orangey color will change the stain color and the old clear finish will not allow the stain to penetrate the wood.
Perhaps you could find a stain for your oak cabinets with a grey tint to it. Once you have stripped them and cleaned them up so they don't have the orange coloring, you should be able to stain them whatever color you want them. I am sure that you should be able to find a stain for your oak cabinets and everything that you would need at a paint store or a home improvement store. The associates in the department should be able to help you with everything you need.
It would be hard to paint them and still see grain, however, if you wanted to paint you could you a furniture glaze sold at most home stores for about 15.00 a quart after you have painted. With really no skill you just brush on lightly and it really makes it look like it has a grain when it dries. The only other way is to sand the cabinets and use your stain. You would also have to seal when complete. I have recently made my tired oak cabinets grey using chalk paint. I love them and it was so cheap and easy and time was easy as . Then I changed the pulls-wow they look so much better and updated!
You are talking two different things - paint and stain. If you stain, I recommend using a gel stain, you won't have to sand all they way and it is so easy to use. They make an ebony that is dark that could help with your issue. But if you paint, I find that an oil based paint works best - prime first with an oil based primer then paint.
Whether you paint or stain depends on whether you like paint or whether you like stain! Stain would require more work as you have to get down to the bare wood before you can stain and then you have to finish with a poly. Painting, especially if you use chalk paint with a finish of wax or poly, would require less work.
If you choose to paint the cabinets make sure you take into consideration the amount of light you get in the kitchen as well as the color of the floors. You definitely don't want the cabinet color to compete with the flooring or be so dark if the room gets limited natural light, dark cabinets may make it look darker.
It would depend on the look you are going for.... are they real wood? Stain is going to let your grain show through whereas I think the paint would give you a more modern look in black. Good luck.
It really depends on your own tastes. I personally prefer stain on oak. There are so many shades of stain that you can Make sure you sand the cabinets completely and wipe down. When you take the doors off remember to mark where they go back
Depends on whether or not you like the bare wood effect kitchens or you want to brighten the area up by having painted cabinets. I personally think that a good paint job on the cabinets wears a little better than stain.
I think its a matter of preference as well . If you paint , make sure to use paint made specifically for the kitchen as it will wear better and be so much easier to clean .
I wouldn’t paint Oak cabinets. The reason you have expensive Oak is to show the grain of the wood.
Take one of the cabinet doors to the paint department of the home improvement store and ask them to select paint/stains and other finishes and application tools that will work for your kitchen. They have the best selection, the most up-to-date materials and most important, the most informative sales staff to get you what you need for a professional job.
Kat,
Are these new unfinished cabinets or are you planning on stripping the existing finish? Do you know what type of wood they are? Are they painted or stained now? If stained, then the wood is "stain grade," meaning the grain is clear enough to look good with a stain. You can either re-stain or paint. If painted, the wood may be "paint grade" and will not accept or look good stained and you will only be able to re-paint them. Once you have that figured out you can decide on the look you want. Check out this article:
https://peekbrotherspainting.com/painting-contractors/can-i-stain-my-cabinets-a-different-color/
So my hubby is a wood guy and loves wood cabinets. He is actually making our kitchen cabinets right now and will be finishing them with Waterlox. Waterlox is amazing and thin so it will need 4/5 coats but the result is so nice. I used Waterlox in this post on a bench I was refinishing:
https://karupp-did.net/bench-part-2/
Now if you are thinking about paint:
Your end product depends on the prep!!!!!! I know many say that doesn't matter with certain paints....but believe me it matters!!!! ALSO...the paints are a huge factor for kitchens and bathrooms. You will want to use something super heavy duty for that kind of traffic! If you are putting the time in to prep them well and paint them well you will want a good paint that will last. Benjamin Moore ADVANCE!! $50 per gallon but it's so worth it!!! That paint is an excellent cabinet paint and you don't need a topcoat. I seriously just wipe it down when it gets dirty. Anyway, hope this helps.
Just had our oak cabinets done grey last week so there's more wall painting to be done now that the cabinets are finished, but we had it done professionally. First they wiped them down with a degreaser, sanded lightly, two coats of primer and then 2 coats of Benjamin Morre Insl-x Cabinet Coat Urethane Acrylic Satin paint. I picked White Stone grey and changed the hinges and handles to satin nickel finish. I am very pleased with the look. Here is what it looks like now.
I think it depends on the look you want. If you want a wood look, then use gel stain. If you don't or you want a specific color that is pretty light, use paint. If you're not sure, use the best tool that we have right now - the internet. Use either google.com or bing.com to search for each look. When you land on the page, look for the word "Images" on the top, then click. You'll see a lot of ideas that your search engine found for you. When you use google.com, you can also look at the page where the picture is used. Just click on the picture, then click on "Visit" on the right. (I haven't see that feature on bing.com but I could have missed it) If you search something like ' diy painted cabinets ' or ' diy gel stained cabinets ' you should see the difference. (Don't use the ' ) Wishing you the best
Were I going to darken, I would stain...it lets the grain of the wood show and it never peels!
If you want the grain to show through use gel stain.
https://www.minwax.com/how-to-finish-wood/change-stain-color-with-polyshades/
For a smooth finish with no grain showing, paint
I suggest Chalkpaint- it cuts out half of the work, and it comes out great! Good luck and keep us posted!
Do you want to achieve a more even finish? To get that the cabinets will have to be lightly sanded,cleaned primed painted or stained and sealed.
Remove the doors and hardware. Mark the doors and cabinets with tape where they go. Lightly sand to remove any gloss. Prime with a stain blocking primer like Zinsser 123. Then paint with your color. Seal with at least three coats with a water based polyurethane. Use a small foam roller and foam brush for a smooth finish.
This is a monumental task for just one person. For two people there is a lot of pain, suffering and exhaustion involved. I hope that you are a DIY'er. Please, listen to the voice of experience, don't just spring this on your hubby. Discuss all the pros and cons.
1.Remove hardware, doors and drawers. Paint these on a flat surface somewhere.
2. Sand all the surfaces lightly.
3. Vacuum dust. It will be everywhere.
4. Wipe down every surface with tack cloth. Any speck of dust WILL show up.
5. Use a good quality latex primer. This will prevent any bleed through of maple color.
Let primer dry throughly.
6. Sand lightly, tack cloth every surface AGAIN,
7. Paint first coat. Let dry thoroughly.
8. Sand lightly, tack cloth AGAIN.
9. Paint second coat.
10. Put all the doors, drawers and hardware back on.
11. Collapse or be prepared to take care of one extremely exhausted husband FOR
months and put any HONEY DO lists away FOREVER!
If you do decide to take on this task, Good luck, be patient, take it a step at a time.
I took on this task twice. Hubby only helped remove the hardware and put the doors back on. He insisted that since I wanted them painted --I should paint them. We both worked but my husband worked very long hours. So guess who did all of the sanding, priming and painting. (ME). Well, we are still married but only by the grace of God and luck. By the way, the kitchen looked fabulous when I finished.
You might try a dark wax to deepen the color if you like a darker look. Black pulls and knobs could work and definitely tiling the backsplash. We replaced our countertops with quartz and I love how easy it is to keep clean and it’s naturally anti microbial!
Gel stain is available at Ben Moore or any other 'real' paint store can be applied without stripping and sanding. Also called fiberglass stain. Even though prices are a bit higher than your big box stores, the free advice is well worth it.
A dark espresso color would be lovely. New hardware, backsplash.
Travertine is lovely, but harder to clean than tile.
Consider that kitchen cabinets get more wear and tear than any other cabinets and furniture in one's house. Wall paper and contact paper are just that, paper.
I'm going to gray-wash a stain over mine and keep the wood grain showing through. They'll need to be cleaned and sanded so that the stain can permeate the wood. Then they'll need to be re-coated with a spar varnish or a high grade polyurethane in the same base as the stain. Meaning, if the stain is oil based, then the poly should be oil based; if the stain is water based, then the poly should be.
This is not a one-day project and I would take off the doors, their hardware and number them - so they can be done laying flat.
Mineral paint sticks well after a base coat. Check out eastern shore chic for more info. She uses Dixie Belle paint. I repainted some oak bathroom cabinets without any problems.
Painting cabinets are not for the faint at heart. It takes weeks to get them right. Using a paint sprayer will eliminate the brush marks. If you don't have a paint sprayer, use mohair rollers. Rustoleum makes a cabinet transformations kit that your may like.
Remove doors and hardware and clean all of your surfaces with a liquid deglosser and use lint-free cloths. Make sure you get a deglosser, not a degreaser. Deglosser is sometimes called liquid sandpaper. It will take the shine off the surfaces so that paint can adhere. Start your painting process with Stix primer and follow up with 2 Coats of Advance paint by Benjamin Moore. You need to let these dry at least a full day in between Coats. Be careful about drips. Use good quality paint brushes. Doors will take more than a week because of doing the same process on both sides.
Hi. One of the first things people want to do is paint cabinets. How about staining them? You can dramatically change the look with a gel stain.
Puff! for about $150 USD, you've got a new kitchen. Happy DIY'ing!
Remove the dishes & food stuff from the cabinets. Remove the doors & drawers and all hardware. Then rub all the wood down with steel wool dipped in "paint thinner" & wipe clean with a lint free rag. You can then stain them with the "Varnish Stain". It will get darker with each coat, but is limited in how dark it will get. When we did this for a client that was living in the home, we worked in three stages so they could still use the areas we were not working, as this complete process will take some time. For the backs looking into the living room, you might want to install some book & miscellaneous shelves to hide them. Beware, that when you are done, you may like them so much you will want to keep them. That's what my client did. "Sorry I'm Retired."
General Finishes Gel Stains can be applied right over the top of polyurethane, no sanding needed. I used it on a small hall floor and also in my stairs and banisters. I used Java which is a beautiful very dark brown.
I used Old Masters gel stain to change my cabinets from honey oak to dark walnut...clean with TSP-rinse well then lightly sand with 100 grit. Clean all the dust off. You can use either a rag or paint brush to apply. I bought cheap brushes at the 99cent store. Turned out great- I get so many compliments!
Farmhouse Paint is kinda thick, and it is water based so you can thin it out if desired. NOTE: I always do two things before i start. 1- put lotion or Vaseline on my hands for easy cleanup , 2- wet my brush. Wetting the brush makes the paint glide on real smooth-- i guess it is diluting the paint just a bit. I re-wet it during the process as needed. Anyway, this paint goes a long way. Also, I am a fan of using a primer in the kitchen; lets face it, dirty or greasy hands are common. Best wishes on your project! P.S. Farmhouse Paint has a website that can cover anything you want to know.
I stained my cabinets and it was a much easier job than painting them.
Painting is much easier, requiring no stripping or sanding of the cabinets. That said, I recently "painted" my old, outdated bathroom cabinets using a kit from Rustoleum and they turned out fantastic. Here are a few photos of what the wood looked like before (oak/brown) and after (Federal Gray). I bought the kit at Home Depot and choose my color (they will tint it to one of many available colors you choose). The kit's are available for either light or dark cabinets in several colors. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Transformations-Light-Color-Cabinet-Kit-9-Piece-258109/202572588
Staining new...unsealed wood cabinets is easy. A little prep time and at least 3 coats of ... Marine varnish/poly. Very durable. Holds up to moisture, grease, and.... dries very fast. What I needed because I have cats prancing around...and cat hair in the air!
Now on prestained or painted cabinets... Not so easy. Have to strip the old finish off. Very messy job. But you also have to get the old sealer out of the wood, otherwise the stain won’t sink in. Will just sit on top. You can wipe the stain right off. So sanding is a must....a careful sanding. Most cabinet doors only have a thin layer of wood laminate and you can sand right through it totaling destroying the cabinet door. The base of the cabinets might be solid wood....but be careful any ways.
My cabinets and doors were all solid wood with an old honey oak finish that had yellowed. And around door handles and draw pulls it was worn away and replaced with a tacky black gummy substance.
So my main goal was to remove the old varnish...maybe darken the cabinets a bit. But I could never get the old wood sealer out and no stain would sink in. The color was much nicer since the old varnish was removed so I decided to live with it. 3 coats of marine varnish....and they were beautiful. A much richer color than before. And years later, the black gummy stuff around handles and pulls never returned.
I must add...I tried to refinish them 3 times before I got good results. Most times, within a year the black gummy stuff was back. Worse than ever! Poly varnishes that I used were thick and brush stroked showed.
I don’t know what I was doing wrong, but I’m guessing the marine varnish was the trick to success. Beautiful finish with no brush strokes. Very thin finish that left the wood remarkably smooth and left you with the natural wood grain ... but of coarse with a lighter honey oak finish.
I could have painted them in two coats, but I consider it a sin to paint nice wood.
Believe me...the honey oak colors will come back in style. Many homes are filled with the color. Doors, window frames, floor moldings. But it is also a much loved finish to give your wood.
and it’s easy to fix a nick or scratch.
Paint on the other hand will chip. No way around it. Scratches show easily. Very hard to get a nice smooth finish unless you’re a professional painter.
but, today, painted cabinets are very popular...and they are beautiful...when they’re new. They will not stand up to the wear and tear in a kitchen over time. And each time you repaint them, the finish gets thicker. Just find some old painted items that have been painted multiple times. They’re not pretty. You can’t just keep layering it on and expect pretty.
I would only paint cabinets if they were in really bad shape. Or ugly to start with. And if you feel you will put in new cabinets down the road a bit.
And please don’t just remove the doors and have open shelves.
Pit might be a quick fix and be accepted by a young person with her first kitchen. But she will find those open shelves get dusty and greasy. And where do you put stuff that doesn’t double as a nicnack. Cereal boxes are not pretty....neither are canned goods. And most pots and pans.
From a seasoned kitchen remodler.
Susan jerabek
I have seen great instructions on how to do it but we chickened out and hired a prfessional to do it. Take a look at these tips here in Hometalk:
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-cabinets/tips-for-painting-kitchen-cabinets-35495116?r=1
Tips for Painting Kitchen Cabinets
The key to lasting paint on any surface is the prep work. You want to clean it really well and then fully hand sand the entire surface so your paint will stick. After that do two coats of a high quality primer before two coats of your paint. I went ahead and did two coats of poly acrylic over that when my mom and I painted out her kitchen. http://www.grandmashousediy.com/kitchen-cabinets-white/
How to Paint Cabinets
Make sure they are clean and dry. Remove the doors and hardware. Mark the doors and cabinets with tape where they go. Lightly sand the doors and cabinets to remove any gloss and roughen the surface for paint with 100 grit sandpaper or a green Scotch Brite pad.. Use a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust after sanding. Prime with a stain blocking primer like KILZ. You can have the primer tinted to the color of the top coat but not necessary. Acrylic, or water base paints are low-fume and clean up easily with water. Alkyd, or oil-base, paints require good ventilation because the paint contains solvents that can irritate your lungs and make you feel sick. Alkyd options require mineral spirits for cleanup, but they provide a hard, durable paint finish. Whichever you use, buy the best-quality paint you can afford for a lasting kitchen cabinet finish. Seal with at least three coats with a water based polyurethane. Use a small foam roller and foam brush for a smooth finish.
Lightly sand,clean,prime with Kilz or Zinser primer,allow to dry,paint,allow to dry and seal with a non-yellowing polycrylic.
Rather than using a stain, have you thought of sanding well, painting it with white paint and wiping it off while wet? Try it first on a throw away piece of wood - it has a nice effect.
I say Yay! I love gel stains, wouldn't use any other. Go to the General Finishes website and browse around. Here are before and after with pics of townhouse kitchen with GF Brown mahogany.
Depending on what you want. Are you wanting to darken the stain color? If so, easy to do using gel stain, my favorite is a line called General Finish. Again, works best if wanting to darken the color. If you want to paint, use an enamel paint, the surface with dry harder and more durable than typical latex paint and no need to add poly.
better to use oil base paint it is durable
It really depends on the look you want and will live with for a while. I prefer the gel stain myself. check out the general finishes website. They also sell chalk and milk paint.
Gel stains are amazing! Yes, you can put it right over the old finish. Depending on how much wood grain you want showing through will determine how many coats to use. It really goes quite quickly. Some gel stains have a poly finish already in them. In a kitchen though I would put an additional coat of poly on top. The easiest and less smelly version is a wipe on poly. Again, the wipe on makes the process sooooo easy. Good luck!
Go with a good satin finish by Sherrwin Williams or Benjamin Moore. Cabinets get a lot of use so you want a quality paint that will hold up and won’t chip. After painting I would put a couple of coats of polyurethane on them for durability and easy cleaning. Prep work is the most important part. Also, use a good brush.
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/rooms/q-what-is-the-best-paint-to-use-for-kitchen-oak-cabinets-149674
Chalk paint is easy and normally only takes one coat.
Have you tried using dark Old English furniture polish on them? It adds tones to wood and there is light to make wood lighter, and dark to make it darker. I use it on my cabinets twice a year. It is good for the wood and adds moisture also. Maybe worth a try? It is not much cost for a bottle and a little dab goes a long way, so it might be worth a try.
If the cabinets are oiled rather than varnished you could clean them then use a slightly darker stain or oil. I recommend trying this on scrap pieces of wood first. If the cabinets are varnished, you can clean them thoroughly and prep them so they will take a varnish (if you don't know how to do this go online for a tutorial, or ask at a store that works with paints and varnishes).
There is a product that is a stain varnish that is water-based. You might be able to find a stain varnish that could darken your cabinets to your satisfaction. I would go with a lighter color than you think because you can always apply another coat to make it darker. The problem you can run into is when you brush the colored varnish on it can look streaked if not applied evenly, especially so if it is a first coat
. I would suggest, again, that you practice on scrap pieces of wood.
I had to match three new drawers with older and darker existing cabinets. It took five thin layers of stain/varnish to get close to the color I needed. Because the last coat make it a little bit too dark I let it dry, then I took very fine sandpaper and lightly sanded the varnish until it looked like it matched. In order to get the shine back enough to match the existing cabinets I finished with a clear water-based varnish. All of that work paid off in the long run because you couldn't tell the old from the new..
Kitchen Makeover for $100 With General Finishes Milk Paint!!
Gel stains can be applied over sealed surfaces. If you want to see the wood grain thru the stain, gel stains work great. Follow directions on can. Follow basic rules for refinishing; clean, lightly sand, stain and top coat with clear finish.
If you want to restain them, you will have to strip off the old finish first. Citristrip works well. After the old finish is off, sand, stain, and a protective finish.
Have you considered painting?
Chalk paint is awesome & no sanding, unless you wanted to lightly sand some edges to give it a more distressed look, but that’s just gentle scuffing with your hand & a piece of sandpaper.
Just an idea! ☺️
A quality acrylic latex in an enamel finish. This paint is formulated specifically for cabinets and trim. It wears well and washes easily. I painted my kitchen cabinets 4 years ago with a Sherwin William gray color and they still look like new and show no wear. You do not have to put poly over an enamel finish paint--some people do but it is not necessary. You will need to prime your cabinets first--and you can get your primer tinted to match your paint color. I have also heard some people rave about Benjamin Moore paint in an enamel finish. I have never tried Benjamin Moore.
You can use milk paint, which comes in white, gray and other colors. You only need to clean the cabinets and lightly hand sand them first. I painted my oak cabinets with milk paint over a year ago, and they look great. But you would have to sand them too go back to oak. This is my how to: http://momhomeguide.com/my-painted-kitchen-cabinets-a-year-later/
Painting oak is doable, if your prep is good. Scrub them down to remove any buildup with a TSP substitute. Then sand the finish. Most people who paint their cabinets say you get best results are with removing the doors for painting. When I painted some dark oak cabinets, I liked them so much without the doors, I left the doors off on the upper cabinets. The lower cabinets, I left on and painted them in place, without removing the doors. It's a little awkward, but, doable. Paint first with a sealer like Kilz. If you are going to go for a color other than white, the paint department can tint the Kilz. Buy a good quality paint. Use a clear sealer to protect them. Consider changing up your hardware, since before painting is the best time to fill any old holes.
Unicorn spit gel stain is a good product and comes in many different colors. Here is a link for it. https://www.unicornspit.com/
The stain probably won't work if there is a varnish or poly coating on the cabinets.
General Finishes Gel stain is the easiest way I know to stain without much prep.
For painting, I would minimally sand to rough up the smooth surface, and use a gripping primer or oil based primer like Kilz. Then follow with latex paint color of choice. A small cabinet and trim roller helps to get a smooth finish.
I've just done this. Looking back I think spray paint would have been the fastest, cheapest and given me a better finish then a paint brush.
The best way is to remove all doors and drawers, wash well with a degreaser and then sand a bit. Now paint them with a quality paint formulated for kitchen cabinets. The easiest way is just paint them. But if you don't at least wash with a degreaser if any grease is on them it will bleed thru the paint. I find that rolling the paint one works better than spraying, unless you have an industrial type spray unit. Then spray for sure.
A better choice to paint your kitchen cabinets is an acrylic latex paint in an enamel finish. It is made for kitchen cabinets and is very durable and easy to wash. Very minimal prep is needed for this paint. Take down all doors, remove drawers, and hardware. Sand lightly just to dull the finish--not all the way to the wood. Clean well. Prime with a good primer like Kilz and then paint. Let your paint dry well in between coats--you will probably need 2 coats, maybe 3. Some people say to put poly over this paint but I don't think that's necessary as it is very durable. Behr, Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore are good paint options. Chalk paint is an option but I find it doesn't hold up well on kitchen cabinets that get a lot of daily use. You would also have to seal your cabinets with either a wax (not a good idea in the kitchen) or use a poly finish--which adds to the amount of work you will have to do.
You know that kitchen cabinets get airborne grease vapors, drips and dirty around the pulls and when one paints a solid color over previously stained cabinets, 2 things to consider:
Prep work for paint is more labor intensive than for re-staining because paint telescopes all the flaws hidden by wood grain. Meaning wood putty and sanding in places.
Paint shows more daily dirt and will need to be more scrubbable because you’ll be cleaning them more frequently. So use a highly quality latex enamel made for doors/trim. I would not choose white for this reason.
All the old varnish or urethane must be removed either via sanding or stripping. Take off the doors & all the hardware. Number the doors & drawers on the back w/ blue painters tape labels. Draw a diagram for your door number’s location.
I would stain them a them a translucent gray or a sangria “blue mahogany” stain.
When you paint oak the grain will show through. If you don't want the grain to show, you must sand and then fill in with a filler and sand until smooth. Painted oak cabinetry can look beautiful and create an entirely different look. I've seen beatiful oak cabinets painted grey. Gorgeous!
The most important part of the process is "prep," which is a painter's term that refers to preparing or stripping the old finish, sanding and filling the nicks and gouges.
Step 1
Clean the old finish -- if it's in good shape -- by washing it with a solution consisting of 1/2 cup of trisodium phosphate detergent per gallon of water. If the finish is cracked or peeling, with a methylene chloride stripper. Use a soy- or citrus-based stripper as an alternative; it will work more slowly, but it's safer for you and the environment. Clean the stripper residue with TSP and water, rinse with clear water and let the wood dry.
Step 2
Sand the stripper residue with 120-grit sandpaper. A palm sander speeds up this job when you're working on a piece of furniture with a number of large, flat surfaces, such as a cabinet. If you're painting an item with many turnings and carvings, such as a chair, it's safer to sand by hand.
Step 3
Make all structural repairs, such as gluing joints or replacing lifting veneer. Glue with PVA adhesive or carpenter's glue. Clamp anything you glue overnight using bar clamps or C-clamps.
Step 4
Fill nicks and gouges with epoxy wood filler. Since you're painting, you don't have to worry about color matching, and epoxy filler makes a more permanent repair than latex- or solvent-based wood fillers. Mold any repairs that you make with a putty knife while the filler is stiff, but hasn't set yet.
Step 5
Sand once more -- by hand -- with 150-grit sandpaper. If you didn't strip the finish, this is the sanding you need to do prior to applying finish. Be sure to sand all the filler flat.
Step 6
Apply a single coat of high-solids wood primer. This is a necessary step whether you stripped the old finish or not -- paint adheres better to primer than it does to wood or wood finishes. Spray the primer from a can or apply it with a paintbrush.
Step 7
Scuff the primer lightly with 220-grit sandpaper and apply a coat of the paint of your choice. Oil-based and latex enamel are the most reliable paints for wood furniture. Spray either from a can or with an air spray gun, or brush it. Use a natural-bristle brush for oil-based paints and a synthetic-bristle one for latex paints.
Step 8
Let the paint dry overnight, then scuff it lightly with 220-grit sandpaper and apply another coat. You shouldn't need any more than two coats, but if you do, let the second coat dry, sand and apply a third coat.
Chalk or milk paint is so easy - no real prep, just paint! You can buy a nice inexpensive chalk paint from Rustoleum.
Easiest and least expensive is using chalkpaint. Needs no prep other than removing hardware. Choose the color you want or mix a couple to make up your own, and then just paint. Dries quickly-don't like a color after you test it? Just paint over it. Once you have reached your desired color, you can distress it with some light sanding or throw in some glazing that is available at Home Depot, and then just put some urethane over all that. You can use a high/semi gloss or a satin or matte finish-whatever you prefer to use. Whole project shouldn't cost more than about 50.00. If you really want to update then change the pulls and knobs. The least costly place I found for that was Amazon--they also have the rest of everything as well
I say to spray paint them. You get a much better finish that way with no streaks in the paint from the brush,
Use kitchen cabinet paint, it's enamel. It is a little harder to work with, use a foam roller so you dont get brush marks. Use a good primer first, the tannins will bleed through the white paint
Oak can be painted and if the grain shows through I think it just adds to the beauty of the final finish. Be sure to use a primer that is compatible with the paint you select.
You can stain over stain with gel stain. Yo can go darker but not lighter.
https://www.minwax.com/how-to-finish-wood/change-stain-color-with-polyshades/
Oak is an interesting wood to paint. You are probably going to see grain, no matter what paint you use. There are methods to hide the grain, although I like grain, so haven't used any of them. What I can tell you, is that prep is the most important part of your project. Stripping the old finish off (Citristrip is great), sanding, and sealing the wood to prevent bleed through is important. I've whitewashed my oak table, but, haven't decided to do that with my oak cabinets yet. Another way to go is gel stain which will darken the oak.
Opps! It is highly recommended NOT to use TSP and then prime with Zinseer 123. (It's on the can.) Try Kilz2 which is water based. Best of luck.
Oak is a nice hardwood. Instead of painting the cabinets, either improve their appearance using the same stain, darken it or try to lighten the color.
I wouldn't want to use chalk paint on cabinets because it requires the extra step of adding a top coat. It's great for furniture, but for something like kitchen cabinets that get wiped down a lot, you need extra prep work to keep them nice.
I like to clean thoroughly, sand, prime and then paint. I recently used DecoArt Satin enamels in my kitchen and I'm so impressed with how well it's holding up to my crazy family.
I’ve heard pros and cons about using chalk paint on kitchen cabinets. It’s recommended to use s poly over the finished job to keep the paint from wearing.
At least three coats of a water based polyurethane after you prime, sand, and paint your cabinets. Won't yellow like oil based and dries fast.
You could white-wash it. 50% paint/50% water. Brush it on and use a clean rag to wipe some off, if you desire. You will still see the grain of the wood.
This is a photo of my cabinets, painted with General Finishes Milk Paint:
You may want to prime with Zinsser if you are painting, Stain will not cover grain.
My son-in-law did this last summer. He removed all the cabinet doors , took off all the hinges off both the doors and the cabinets, sanded all the oak lightly with the grain of the oak and painted two coats of a light grey. He drew out a diagram of the kitchen and kept the doors in alignment with the sketch when he took them to the garage to sand and paint. He did both the outside and inside of the doors using a small foam roller in the larger areas and then brushing over it and a used a brush only in smaller areas. He considered using a filler to fill in the coarse grain of the oak, but decided not to and it came out looking great. There's a slight texture to the cabinets but it looks fine. You could do yours either way. He did the drawers all at one time after the framework of the cabinet had been painted and the doors put back on.
They added long stainless steel handles (installed horizontally) on both the doors and drawers and the kitchen looks completely different now. Very updated and modern which is what they were going for. They really disliked the "honey-oak" cabinets and love them now that they are painted. The painted cabinets are easy to care for, just wipe with a warm damp cloth. Painting your oak cabinets can totally change the look of your kitchen....just be sure to splurge and use a really good quality paint. He chose a satin finish, and one that had primer included, but you can also use a gloss if that's the look you like.
You can use chalk paint-https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/how-to-paint-oak-cabinets-without-sanding-or-priming-lollypaper-com-2410286
How to Paint Oak Cabinets Without Sanding or Priming. Lollypaper.com
Use a spray shellac I think it's made by binzer? I used to spray this on anything before painting. Make sure you cover very well with open windows. Then let dry (about 15 min). Then paint. You can even use acrylic paint. Don't forget to seal using Polycrylic after paint is dry. (I'd wait a couple days).
I used chalk paint on my kitchen cabinets. Wiped down with vinegar water really good. Chalk paint does not require a primer first. I left the doors on and painted away, hinges and all. It was easy peasy. I did 14 cabinets in 2,days.
Oil based paint is best for a glossy finish. The prep work is what makes you paint job work best. If you use a good sealer then acrylic is fine as well
Here is a picture before and after of builders grade oak cabinets where I used a gel stain. You could also clean, sand, prime and paint if you're looking for a color.
To make sure your painted cabinets are durable, I would suggest a product like Minwax Polycrylic - a water based sealer that won't turn yellow. Some people suggest polyurethane, then are disappointed when it starts to turn yellow. Also, the most important part of the paint project is the prep work. Don't skip on anything. If you don't have good directions let us know or look online. Follow all steps including removing the doors & hardware, patching, cleaning, sanding, removing all sanding dust, priming, etc. Wishing you success with your project!
If you use a latex acrylic paint in an enamel finish to paint your cabinets you don't have to poly over them. This is a strong durable finish that lasts for a long time and doesn't need to be sealed with anything else. My cabinets were painted 4 years ago with enamel paint and they still look like new-no poly. Make sure you do the prep work you need to do before you start painting and take your time to get the job done right.
For painting oak wood cabinets I find the best paint to use is Benjamin Moore Advance. "For starters, it's an alkyd paint". "Which means it dries very hard and can stand up to lots of abuse without chipping or scratching." I also love this particular paint because it levels out well (no weird bumps or ripples!), covers dark wood with just two (or sometimes three) coats, is low VOC (a fancy way of saying it won't stink up the room), and is almost $20 cheaper per can compared to competitive brands. Plus, they say other professionals swear by the same stuff — and yes, you can get it in any color you like. Hope this helps!
Make sure they are clean and dry. Remove the doors and hardware. Mark the doors and cabinets with tape where they go. Lightly sand the doors and cabinets to remove any gloss and roughen the surface for paint with 120- to 220-grit sandpaper. Use a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust after sanding. Prime with a stain blocking primer like Zinsser 123, KILZ,or BIN and have it tinted to the color of the top coat. This will prevent dark or stained surfaces from showing through the top coat. Acrylic, or water-base, paints are low-fume and clean up easily with water. Alkyd, or oil-base, paints require good ventilation because the paint contains solvents that can irritate your lungs and make you feel sick. Alkyd options require mineral spirits for cleanup, but they provide a hard, durable paint finish. Whichever you use, buy the best-quality paint you can afford for a lasting kitchen cabinet finish. Seal with at least three coats with a water based polyurethane. Use a small foam roller and foam brush for a smooth finish.
It's a long process. We used vinegar to clean the cabinets to remove all grease. Removed all the doors. Everything has to be sanded very well including all the cabinet left on the wall. We put up a sheet of plastic to keep all the dust out of other rooms. We used both brushes and rollers for our cabinets. I think we put 2 coats of paint on ours. We waited several days (upto week) depending on weather & humidity. Lots of work but worth it.
Sand your cabinets lightly to take off any shiny finish, clean well, prime, then use an acrylic latex paint in an enamel finish. Be careful until the paint cures on your finish-at least 2/3 weeks. https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/diy-painted-kitchen-cabinets-10584670?expand_all_questions=1
DIY: Painted Kitchen Cabinets
Best paint I’ve ever used, by far, is Valspar. My husband and have painted a lot of different rooms, sheds, household items, etc. We have used different paints. Valspar was always the best! Good luck 👍 M
I would take the doors and hardware off lightly sand them with a 220 grit paper. Use tack cloth before and between all coats of primer and paint.
Prime them with a good primer. Latex paints are good but if you want the best use an oil based enamel. If you use latex use an enamel. A glossy finish will be the hardest and most durable. But you can use other finishes.
Make sure you lay them (the doors) flat (on saw horses when you paint them and leave them undisturbed while they dry (in a "dust free' environment). The cabinets you can paint in place, the doors is what most people will see the box cabinets are mostly hidden by the door fronts.
The color you choose is up to you, but traditionally painted cabinets tend to be white.
If you can use a paint sprayer to do your own kitchen cabinets rather than a brush you will have a more professional looking job. That is...if you are good at using a paint sprayer!
one must get the paint to bond by either mechanical methods (sanding) or chemical methods.
no matter what, they must be degreased and squeaky clean.
I suggest using oil-based paint, as the original varnish is oil based.,
Hi Teresa! There are lots of great ideas for white painted cabinets on Hometalk here https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=White%20painted%20kitchen%20cabinets
We paint ours here and they are still holding up! https://alifeunfolding.com/updating-the-kitchen-in-our-rental-property/
If you have a lovely Oak kitchen when most people have painted board, why change for an inferior look. If you feel like a lift is required - Change your Hardware, Knobs/Handles etc. Maybe if you want a little more go for a chalk paint on the trims only. Don't do anything that is irriversible, you could end up regretting it, - just Tweek it a bit to keep up with style.
STAIN. I regret painting my oak bookshelf and oak table. Stain would have been more beautiful, because it would have let the rings in the wood show through; which is the beauty of oak.
I would go with whatever floats your boat. Just make sure you carefully prep/clean thoroughly and after paint or stain, poly/light sand at least two times. I use General finishes products and done properly, it is a superior chip free surface. The only other advice is to NOT do a gloss or shiny paint/poly. It will really look wonky with the oak grain. Have fun!!!
In January 2022, I have the exact same cupboards, Merillat, golden oak and I'm SO over the color. However, my other kitchen furniture goes well with it, so I've decided to paint the door fronts only on the uppers and leave all the rest the oak. This alone will brighten up my dark windowless kitchen. I did place an antique window frame over the kitchen sink's blank wall space with a to-size photography art pic of a red barn in apple orchard.
We painted ours in our rental property and LOVE how they look and how they have held up. https://alifeunfolding.com/updating-the-kitchen-in-our-rental-property/
Stain make it even more old .. I would paint with chalk paint and wax it
If you paint them, you will always have to paint them. If you stain them now, you can always paint over the stain if you change your mind.
If you don't like your house anymore- Move, but don't ruin a beautiful home with that cold sterile, hospital look with the alumina foil back up. That was old thirty years ago. If you want to change the look, get some sticky back shelf paper to put in the inserts of the cabinets and add wall paper use your own imagination and stop following the sheeple. What is YOUR favorite color? Love sunshine yellow in a kitchen with living green accents!
Just out today: instructions for staining cabinets darker over original finish. I imagine it would be difficult to get all of the cabinets the same. If you don't like the oak patterns emphasized, it's not the way to go--oak in particular absorbs more color in the patterned part of the wood--but if you like it, as I do, yeah! $15 kitchen cabinet DIY Update | Hometalk What I've used to darken stained oak subtly is a simple wipe-down with (red) palm oil. It has a bad name for health--don't eat it--but I expect it's quite good for the wood. The result is a little darker and a little more red. On lighter or denser wood or bamboo the effect is even more subtle but can tint it in the direction of red just enough to make it a better fit with a redder wood. It's somewhat sticky for a while, but it does dry eventually.
DON'T PAINT THE CABINETS!!!! Have you thought of how much new cabinets would cost when you get tired of the paint??????? Paint the legs of your table and chairs and maybe the hutch part of the china cabinet but not those beautiful OAK cabinets. There are 10's of thousands of people stuck with painted cabinets that would die for what you have. I too have oak cabinets and no one is going to get a paint brush near them!!!!!!
I see this is an ancient question, and styles have probably changed a few times since then. But it's 2022 now, and while painted kitchen cabinets are still stylish, a few different home magazines have predicted that wood is making a comeback.
Fading styles include white cabinets and herringone patterned backsplash tile or flooring.
Do what you like--your house!
Only paint the trims! Then it is easy to ring the changes from time to time.
Paint the kitchen and the cabinet if time comes ad you get sick of it, sand back to natural wood and then lacquer. Furniture is like fashion evry decade things and colours change......Be Game
I am having my oak cabinets recoated with a tinted verathane to darken them and I have painted my kitchen a paler shade to tie in with granite counter top .You can't beat the richness of wood and you DO have to touch up paint
I would paint them unless you are going to be happy with stained cabinets.
I know this is an old question, but I decided to answer anyway. The house I built in 2012 I had the cabinets painted and never tired of them. fast forward bought a house in 220 that had stained cypress cabinet and granite that went with it. People couldn't believe that i had the cabinets painted and replaced the granite. I love, love it and will never go back to stained it limits you and to me will always look dated unless I buy a cabin next.
I would for sure paint lighter since i can see all around in your living area is light
I would for sure paint
Having white cabinets for 15 yrs after moving into my house I now have Oak cabinets (made by the Amish) & love them! I would never go back to white. Once you paint wood you are stuck with painting all of the time. To strip & refinish the cabinets would be a horrible job if you should decide to go back to natural. I would never paint wood !! You can always change the look of the kitchen by changing your other decor.
It completely depends on the look you want for your kitchen and your home decor. I love the fresh, classic look of white cabinets. For stained cabinets, it depends on the color of the stain. I would stay away from any stain that has a red or orange tone. True shades of neutrals, browns from light to deep, will keep the stained cabinets from looking dated. Good luck.
Who cares what the STYLE is??? The correct STYLE for your home is what you like. Painting cabinets is a time consuming task. It takes prep work and removing all of the hardware and doors but TOTALLY changes the look of the room. People say you can PAINT OVER. Kitchen cabinets are a whole different story. Years of grease dirt and fingerprints need to be cleaned or paint simply won't stick well. Go for it.
Here is what I did with my kitchen cabinets: https://happydealhappyday.com/how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets-without-sanding/
I would totally paint them. We've done it and it was wonderful. Lightened the whole place up. However, I would prime, paint and seal them. The kitchen takes a beating and ours held up great, but we took the time to do all three steps.
I watch the Property Brothers when they were doing their own home with the water slide. They discussed about painting their kitchen cabinets, they decided no because as they said painted cabinets do not hold up. The paint comes off eventually. They put in all new cabinets. I would gel stain and never paint them. All you white kitchen lovers they are the hardest to keep clean. If you are the only one living with them then go ahead.
I had the same problem years ago, however the Oak accent was repeated throughout the house. So we decided to add a top to our cabinets, much like the trim on your china cabinet. The transformation took it to another level. Very inexpensive to do. Just pick up a decorative piece of trim moulding from your Lowes or Home Depot. Cut the corners to at an angle, run some wood glue along the bottom and tack or nail into place. It turned out fantastic. We are now going on 8 years, still loving it and it's still oak.😊
DO NOTHING TO YOUR WOODS- NO PAINT - NO STAINS -- JUST clean it ALL. --- use ORANGE-GLO WOOD CLEANER RESTORER (POLISH) no wax) .. do EVERYTHING .. it will ALL look brand new--- you will be amazed. Orange-Glo cleans ALL of the surface gunk completely off down to the ORIGINAL FIRST VARNISH --- In my cleannig co., I used this-- people were amazed-- and gave UP on any idea of a re-do--- it all looked so fantastic, clean, and NEW looking--- Wipe on with rag, wipe off the dirt- you can then soft buff with a rag if you want ... but not really neded - your call -- good luck!
Stain
They have this at Lowe's and Walmart online but it's through a third party seller. I bought it to repaint my dining room table and chairs without having to, sand, prime, etc... You just paint! Lots of color options but it is pricier, but worth it!
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Beyond-Paint-All-in-One-Furniture-Bright-white-Flat-Acrylic-Interior-Exterior-Paint-Actual-Net-Contents-128/1003236406
Crazy lady - please do not paint beautiful wood. I'm living in the past, if it's real wood, I still like paneling!
Why would you want to do what "everyone else" does? It is never a mistake to be yourself and have your own style. Painting or staining is work, no doubt about it. It will also lower the sale price of the home when you sell. If you have no "life altering" need to change this why do it? Has the person with the big idea to change it offered to do all the work and pay all the costs? I didn't think so. If the person with the advice said to change your hair style, wardrobe, job and spouse--- would you? Or are you just being set down by someone you think has higher status? Be your own person, a confident adult who doesn't waste time effort and money to keep up with the "Jonesettes". But as I said If they want to do all the work, pay all the costs and have all the bragging rights why not sell them your house and they can remake it lock stock and barrel.
I think painting expensive wood cabinets is a crying shame. How many times do you think the white paint is going to look dingy or dirty and you will paint again and again til the cabinets are ruined and need replacing??? Paint wear, chipping and greasy hand prints and kitchen grunge will drive you crazy and the natural wood cabinets will still look brand new with just a Murphys Oil soap cleaning , much cheaper and simpler than painting every year. Update hardware and countertops and clean those beautiful wood cabinets. The rich wood cabinets will also maintain sellability to your house. A new kitchen is a reduction to selling price.
Real wood is classic. I was horrified to tour a really expensive home for sale with beautiful real wood oak parquet floors. And then to discover the kitchen cabinets, which had been expensive hardwood, had been painted white. It was obvious when I opened a cabinet and saw a paint drip. Painted cabinets look cheap and are a fad. If someone wanted white cabinets they could get the cheapest wood, already sprayed white, or painted later. I say never paint expensive real quality wood. If you have real wood cabinets and would like to change up your kitchen you could darken the stain (preferably professionally) or do as I have done and change the countertop, backsplash, and tile the floor. Think twice and maybe 10 times before ruining quality wood cabinets.
You paint the lower cabinets a white or ivory. Next you paint the table top OR legs the ivory or white from kitchen. Last but not least paint the shelf surfaces on the hutch in the dining area. Painted wood does not have to be a cheap look as the answer above states. Use quality paint, do the prep suggested by the paint maker. Painted wood cabinetry is an historic look that NEVER GOES OUT OF style. Our grand and great and great grandmas had painted cabinetry. Stain as suggested above is permanent and can never be changed back to uncolored wood, even if done by a pro. Paint can be totally removed. Just watch ALL the paint removal videos!! The lady above must have barrels of money laying around gathering dust because she has professionals to her kitchen decor changes. Nice. But for everybody else painting your own decor is easy IF you follow the instructions. The biggest effort for you would be moving the top off of your hutch if you chose to paint the top of the lower half. I have done that on a piece I sold and it looked sweet and brightened up the dine in kitchen of the proud new owner. I used a quality high gloss pale ivory and it made seasonal decor POP! You can do a project like this-----really.
The better the prep job the better the final outcome. It is so worth it to take a little extra time and sand before painting.
Stain can be painted over but you can't stain over paint.
Neither paint nor stain! Use peel and stick wall paper on the inserts is a whole new room! Think of the possibilities!!
Depends on you and what you prefer. If it was me I would paint them. Just think how a new back splash would make them stand out.
We painted our oak cabinets white and I love it. We also remodeled and made the kitchen a lot bigger.
I do this the old fashioned way. When I have the tv on I go onto the patio and sand for a few mintues. By breaking this up the job seems to go easier plus the addition of a tv or radio can help distract me so the job appears easier then it really is. But sanding generally producers a better paint job since every imperfection will be highlighted by the new paint.
After years of restoring furniture and woodwork that over time gets chipped and scratched and dirty, my conclusion is that maintaining wood with a clear finish is a LOT easier than maintaining painted wood. Dirt cleans off sealed wood much more easily than off painted wood. Any damaged spots on clear sealed wood can easily be spot stained with a q-tip and a bit of clear seal. Trying to repair spots of damage on paint is a real challenge to keep the repairs from being noticeable.
Creating a fresh new look for a kitchen can be done well with a new backsplash, like the stick-on panels, or painting the walls, or adding new curtains or a new window treatment altogether.
The important thing is to decorate your kitchen the way you like. How long are you planning on living there? Only if you have to move in the next year or two would it make a diference if it is in the current "style," which as you said, comes and goes. Decorate the way you like. And consider how much upkeep it takes to maintain the look you like.
White wash that gives you the benefits of both lightening and letting the wood grain show thru.
Are they quality wood? If so I would never paint them, but possibly change out the hardware, or if you do not like the color at all, stain them a different color. If they are cheaper wood, or particle board, etc, definitely paint them!
Clean and seal them with clear polyurethane. Painting beautiful wood is a crime!
Painting will cover the naturally good looking Wood-Design. Why would you want to cover that? "Staining" may darken the original color of the Wood~Finish.
Perhaps as far as you should go is to just clean the cupboards with a non-abrasive kind of cleaner, or use a sealant that nourishes the appearance of the Beautiful Wood* Design that is already There*.
Best answer to this question ... DON'T!!!!! Color choice/popularity will come and go, but natural stain color will always be popular and therefore the best choice!!
Stain.
After 24 years, finally decided to paint the cabinets white. Wow, you wouldn't believe the crud and grease that have accumulated over the years not readily seen in brown. We painted them white, and the difference is amazing and heartwarming. It opened up the space visually, got a lot of favorable comments on the new look.
Good morning Mrs. Lauren For My if I advise you to change the color to my liking is already Classico I will send you some photos of how you can combine the colors ok
I hope it helps you Mrs. Lauren have a great day
I hope it helps you Mrs. Lauren have a great day
Hello Lauren: Well, as you say, fads come and go, so you have to decide what you want to do for the long haul :) Personally, I like the look of wood, but if you want to paint or stain, preparation is the key to a great job. Here are a few sites that are sure to help you out:
home-organizing/home-improvement/painting/kitchen-cabinet-painting-mistakes
https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/kitchens/21097083/how-to-paint-your-kitchen-cabinets
https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/kitchens/best-way-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets
I painted these using Annie Sloane chalk paint. Duck Egg and Old White
We had that problem in an old house, it didn't have oak cabinets (we didn't know at the time), but was dark and we needed to lighten up the kitchen. First, we cleaned the cabinets then took down the doors so we could strip everything back to the wood, I recommend the GEL Stripper as it doesn't drip. Next, we discovered the wood was multi-grained light wood so we clear varnished instead. Really brightened the kitchen, and afterward a salesman for Cabinet Refinishing stopped by to give us an estimate and said "You must have just had it done." Now we are getting ready to paint the kitchen in our old family home and the cabinets we will strip and this time, depending on what the wood looks like either clear varnish or paint, the cabinets are mostly plywood with some oak or maple, I don't remember which.
You would be surprised at what a difference it would be to just upgrade your cabined hardware. Depending on your finish. If you paint it white Gold cabinet hardware is very in and if you paint it un darker tones you can use a rustic look like this one (here is a link to it https://www.tmhardware.com/schaub-mountain-twig-cabinet-knob-variety-of-finishes)
I used to live in a restored Victorian. It had white painted kitchen cabinets and they were beautiful. The kitchen was enormous and I hand-painted all of the doors and drawers twice during the time I lived there (10 years) because of cooking residue. It had a gas stove which makes more of a mess than electric. Anything you cook on gas vaporizes and settles on surfaces. The ceilings were 12' and there were approximately 70 door and drawer panels to paint. Plus there were the face frames and sides of the cabinets that were not covered by the doors. I was in my 50s when I painted them so I still had lots of energy. It took about a week full-time to paint the entire kitchen, much of it sitting and standing on a ladder. If you are still young enough to have lots of energy and no problems with carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis, go for it. They are truly beautiful. I, however, now have a convection cooktop and beautiful wood cabinets that are cleaned with water only. Never again will I have painted cabinets.
Hello Lauren: I'm a fan of wood that's not painted :) I'd just give them a good cleaning and wax them. If you don't prepare the surface properly, the paint could lift and peel :( Lots of work down the drain! But, if you want to paint them, here are several sites to look at. The first one is very important :)
9 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Painting Kitchen Cabinets (realsimple.com)
How to Paint Cabinets! Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial on Cabinet Painting & Furniture Painting Tips - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUrxLY-6jGA&t=241s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQGz04bMeIU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOxMtaAuTds
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/kitchens/21097083/how-to-paint-your-kitchen-cabinets
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets-4163348
https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/kitchens/best-way-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets
I know there is a lot of information here, but it's best to be prepared :)
It's your kitchen so please do what you love! With that said Painting can be done DIY as can Gel stain. Whichever you chose please show pics when your done.
I just painted a bathroom cabinet with same doors. I will say it’s a bit difficult to paint around the top area. Check out heirloom traditions paint to make the job easier. I would probably stain and add updated hardware.
Just add Coloured Ceramic Knobs to the doors for a quick lift.
Don't paint your cabinets. When in the market for a home last year, we didn't even take a second look at homes with painted kitchen cabinets. Wood is beautiful and gives a warm and inviting look. Painting doesn't necessarily improve the look, it just gives a different look. There are other ways to update. One way is to change out the countertop. Years ago dark granite and quartz were all the rage. Now it is easy to update by just using lighter colors on the counters and backsplashes. White counters and backsplashes are always a good, classic look. Although white marble is not the best choice for a kitchen counter, you will find that it is a classic, timeless look (which can be accomplished with something more durable like quartz or solid surface. It is always best to avoid trends because a trend typically last only a few years. Currently, wood is making a comeback. It is what we have chosen for our new remodel.
You have the lovely making of a beautiful French Provencial kitchen, which would tie into your adjacent room nicely. Yellow walls, painted cabinets a creamy white.....or put an light antiquey gel over a white base. Then add the blue "french" touches in curtains and accessories.
Hi Lauren, hope this helps you. It all comes down to personal taste, myself I prefer paint of the wood look. So I would likely chalk paint my cabinets.
I would consider having them done professionally! I have a company in my BNI Group called Spray Net Pontiac who does an amazing job! Guillermo@spray-net.com or reach out and I can provide you a phone number.