I don’t think white will work because of the warm floors and counters. Also painted white cabinets are a bitch to clean. I would do a warm greige. SW perfect greige or alpaca would look good and modernize the kitchen without clashing with everything else. You could then do white on the walls either via a black splash or paint for added brightness.
0220_2020
Commenting to say Im in a similar indecisive position. Cabinets are in good condition but are a dated honey oak with granite counter tops. I’ve seen a number of folks go with a saturated dark color on the bottom cabinets and white on top. Looks fresh and modern.
Sup3rPotatoNinja
I kind of like the more natural astetic. Maybe a sandy color would go nicely with the counter?
SeaSpeakToMe
I think white would really freshen and brighten the room up
pm_ur_garden
White looks really nice, but we moved into a house with freshly painted white cabinets about 3 years ago and they look like a disaster right now, and have looked like a disaster since about a year in. They show dirt almost immediately after cleaning, and any kind of cleaning takes the paint off. I have decided I’m never painting the cabinets white again.
MAJB2050
I wouldn’t do it. Even if done professionally, the paint will likely chip eventually and look terrible. If you don’t like the color I’d stain them
Cajun49
I would totally paint the upper cabinets white and the lower cabinets a contrasting color like blue
miss_chaos
Leave them. Paint the walls instead. A nice hunter green or navy blue?
heklaflow
Do NOT paint them.
You need the specially formulated alkyd coatings for cabinets. We have painted cabinets from The last owner and they’re awful – chip, soft, sticky, unable to wipe clean.
The alkyd coatings will dry hard like an enamel or plastic – wipe clean, and be significantly more resistant to chips.
There is some drama about alkyd coatings yellowing over time. I believe they have hybrid coatings now for a few dollars more that have solved this.
eros_and_psyche
Hmmm at first i thought yes! But now thinking about it, i i think painting the wall and baseboards white and changing the cabinet fixtures to black would look nice.
carbonbasedcat
Look up cabinet refacing. No matter what you do it’ll look like an outdated kitchen. If you really want to update the space but preserve the cabinets. Replace counters with something brighter. Sand and refinish the floors to a lighter/slightly muted wood tone, cabinets could go to any color that you like. Remove or replace upper moulding on cabinets to something more modern. Backsplash. Replace baseboards.
[deleted]
As everyone said, painting is a bad idea unless you use specialized paint. What you could also do is a wrap. Their super easy to put on, even easier to clean and if you get tired of them, you just take them of. If you get a quality one, they can be fire and moisture safe and last for 10-15 years. I used them to update my kitchen to a nice bright aqua in my last rental and was super happy for years with it.
dogthistle
Off white – perhaps cream
TheoryLongjumping
Yes…get them professionally painted if you plan on using your same cabinets long term. An off-white shade would go best with your counters and floors.
austinperrysmith
I say yes paint them white, lightens up the entire room, the wood is outdated, you could paint cabinets white and replace doors to get a more modern look, if you do a nice job sanding and prep they will last for years like mine, I wasn’t ready to replace cabinets so I painted them and love it
Also I’d paint the walls and cabinets simply white, I love it super clean look
Material_Cook_4698
If you cook a lot you will regret painting them white. Previous owners of my house painted the honey oak cabs white because they felt that the honey oak floor was too similar. White painted cabs are really difficult to clean and often develop stains that aren’t removable except to repaint white again. Paint them a darker color and/or paint the wall a lighter color.
Defiant-Branch4346
this is quite nice
billygoat2017
They get so dirty, and try to wash beyond a gentle, it wall cause problems with the surface of the paint.
dynamic_caste
White?! That’s awful. Now a nice sea foam green or peach sherbet color. That would really spruce up the joint.
MjauDuuude
An off white or cream would be better. If you want to be bold I think a dark cold green or blue would look very pretty
gregontrack
I bought a house with painted white cabinets just over a year ago. Overall, I would not recommend. If you do paint your cabinets white, make sure you always have dry hands when you touch the cabinets. Ours started peeling after 6 months or so because we were cooking and ultimately were touching the cabinets with wet hands. Also, they will get all the dirt in the house stuck on them. Pasta sauce from a month ago will magically appear and when you go to clean it with a magic eraser, you will start to fade the paint.
Your cabinets look new. I wouldn’t touch them. In 10 years when they’re worn and you need another 5 years out of them, maybe spring for paint, but I wouldn’t wreck a nice wood finish with white paint that, at best, will last 5 years.
imartelle
Personally, I would stain them. If you want to paint, a darker green would look great against the countertop with gold (not brass) hardware
PurboLift
Don’t paint them. They look fine as they are. I think you are probably just trying to brighten up the kitchen. I would add some under cabinet lighting. Possibly some over the cabinet as well. That would be a very cost effective and minimally invasive way to brighten it up.
TURTLE36873
I would say no, white/black athletic has gotten overused so much and looks bad too, I think people like it just because it looks clean and adds value to the house but it just get dirty super quick and makes things too bright
kokakoliaps3
You have a quality kitchen right here! Wood is timeless. Granite is timeless too. But the light grey and dark wood color combination feels dull. I would honestly paint the walls a dark shade of blue. It will add contrast and make the natural wood grain and granite stand out more.
EDIT: Don’t stain or paint the cabinets! Please don’t. They’re on trend for 2022 and beyond. Under cabinet lighting and over cabinet lighting will elevate the kitchen tenfold. Also darken the walls with paint. Grey is a buzzkill. Try green or blue.
MegMegMeggieMeg
If anything, I would look into replacing your countertops, choosing a backsplash, changing the light fixtures and painting your walls to a light bright complementary color. I have painted white cabinets and I hate hate hate them. The all white everything kitchen is a fad and it’s already starting to look dated in my opinion.
UhOhIAteAsbestos
Yes ! I was about to suggest that!
Readonlygirl
I do. White or grey and epoxy your counters white.
I like the suggestion to use a dark floral wallpaper or a printed tile all over. Keep the upper cabs as is but paint the lowers something dark that accents the pretty pink granite. Brass or gold hardware and a natural textured light fixture. Painting cabinets is 89%prep but worth it
doctorslurpy
Personally I consider it a grave sin to paint over nice woodwork. Personal feelings aside, if you really hate the wood, or if its in worse condition than it looks in these pictures, I still wouldn’t go white. Something more earthy will show dirt and imperfections less and will better compliment the rest of the space. If you dislike the color but don’t hate the wood, I’d stain long before I’d paint.
30 Comments
I don’t think white will work because of the warm floors and counters. Also painted white cabinets are a bitch to clean. I would do a warm greige. SW perfect greige or alpaca would look good and modernize the kitchen without clashing with everything else. You could then do white on the walls either via a black splash or paint for added brightness.
Commenting to say Im in a similar indecisive position. Cabinets are in good condition but are a dated honey oak with granite counter tops. I’ve seen a number of folks go with a saturated dark color on the bottom cabinets and white on top. Looks fresh and modern.
I kind of like the more natural astetic. Maybe a sandy color would go nicely with the counter?
I think white would really freshen and brighten the room up
White looks really nice, but we moved into a house with freshly painted white cabinets about 3 years ago and they look like a disaster right now, and have looked like a disaster since about a year in. They show dirt almost immediately after cleaning, and any kind of cleaning takes the paint off. I have decided I’m never painting the cabinets white again.
I wouldn’t do it. Even if done professionally, the paint will likely chip eventually and look terrible. If you don’t like the color I’d stain them
I would totally paint the upper cabinets white and the lower cabinets a contrasting color like blue
Leave them. Paint the walls instead. A nice hunter green or navy blue?
Do NOT paint them.
You need the specially formulated alkyd coatings for cabinets. We have painted cabinets from
The last owner and they’re awful – chip, soft, sticky, unable to wipe clean.
The alkyd coatings will dry hard like an enamel or plastic – wipe clean, and be significantly more resistant to chips.
There is some drama about alkyd coatings yellowing over time. I believe they have hybrid coatings now for a few dollars more that have solved this.
Hmmm at first i thought yes! But now thinking about it, i i think painting the wall and baseboards white and changing the cabinet fixtures to black would look nice.
Look up cabinet refacing. No matter what you do it’ll look like an outdated kitchen. If you really want to update the space but preserve the cabinets. Replace counters with something brighter. Sand and refinish the floors to a lighter/slightly muted wood tone, cabinets could go to any color that you like. Remove or replace upper moulding on cabinets to something more modern. Backsplash. Replace baseboards.
As everyone said, painting is a bad idea unless you use specialized paint. What you could also do is a wrap. Their super easy to put on, even easier to clean and if you get tired of them, you just take them of. If you get a quality one, they can be fire and moisture safe and last for 10-15 years. I used them to update my kitchen to a nice bright aqua in my last rental and was super happy for years with it.
Off white – perhaps cream
Yes…get them professionally painted if you plan on using your same cabinets long term. An off-white shade would go best with your counters and floors.
I say yes paint them white, lightens up the entire room, the wood is outdated, you could paint cabinets white and replace doors to get a more modern look, if you do a nice job sanding and prep they will last for years like mine, I wasn’t ready to replace cabinets so I painted them and love it
Also I’d paint the walls and cabinets simply white, I love it super clean look
If you cook a lot you will regret painting them white. Previous owners of my house painted the honey oak cabs white because they felt that the honey oak floor was too similar. White painted cabs are really difficult to clean and often develop stains that aren’t removable except to repaint white again. Paint them a darker color and/or paint the wall a lighter color.
this is quite nice
They get so dirty, and try to wash beyond a gentle, it wall cause problems with the surface of the paint.
White?! That’s awful. Now a nice sea foam green or peach sherbet color. That would really spruce up the joint.
An off white or cream would be better. If you want to be bold I think a dark cold green or blue would look very pretty
I bought a house with painted white cabinets just over a year ago. Overall, I would not recommend. If you do paint your cabinets white, make sure you always have dry hands when you touch the cabinets. Ours started peeling after 6 months or so because we were cooking and ultimately were touching the cabinets with wet hands. Also, they will get all the dirt in the house stuck on them. Pasta sauce from a month ago will magically appear and when you go to clean it with a magic eraser, you will start to fade the paint.
Your cabinets look new. I wouldn’t touch them. In 10 years when they’re worn and you need another 5 years out of them, maybe spring for paint, but I wouldn’t wreck a nice wood finish with white paint that, at best, will last 5 years.
Personally, I would stain them. If you want to paint, a darker green would look great against the countertop with gold (not brass) hardware
Don’t paint them. They look fine as they are. I think you are probably just trying to brighten up the kitchen. I would add some under cabinet lighting. Possibly some over the cabinet as well. That would be a very cost effective and minimally invasive way to brighten it up.
I would say no, white/black athletic has gotten overused so much and looks bad too, I think people like it just because it looks clean and adds value to the house but it just get dirty super quick and makes things too bright
You have a quality kitchen right here! Wood is timeless. Granite is timeless too. But the light grey and dark wood color combination feels dull. I would honestly paint the walls a dark shade of blue. It will add contrast and make the natural wood grain and granite stand out more.
EDIT: Don’t stain or paint the cabinets! Please don’t. They’re on trend for 2022 and beyond. Under cabinet lighting and over cabinet lighting will elevate the kitchen tenfold. Also darken the walls with paint. Grey is a buzzkill. Try green or blue.
If anything, I would look into replacing your countertops, choosing a backsplash, changing the light fixtures and painting your walls to a light bright complementary color. I have painted white cabinets and I hate hate hate them. The all white everything kitchen is a fad and it’s already starting to look dated in my opinion.
Yes ! I was about to suggest that!
I do. White or grey and epoxy your counters white.
https://simplysummermorgan.com/epoxy-countertops-that-look-like-marble/
I like the suggestion to use a dark floral wallpaper or a printed tile all over. Keep the upper cabs as is but paint the lowers something dark that accents the pretty pink granite. Brass or gold hardware and a natural textured light fixture. Painting cabinets is 89%prep but worth it
Personally I consider it a grave sin to paint over nice woodwork. Personal feelings aside, if you really hate the wood, or if its in worse condition than it looks in these pictures, I still wouldn’t go white. Something more earthy will show dirt and imperfections less and will better compliment the rest of the space. If you dislike the color but don’t hate the wood, I’d stain long before I’d paint.