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Stain or paint kitchen cabinets?????? What color??

10 years ago

We have lived here for ever... Well almost 40yrs...so kitchen was literally falling apart... It is very open from kitchen/eating to our LR... So intricating the space has been a challenge, though i love it being open. We had the cabinets built recently.. They r unfinished as you can see. I don't remember the type of wood... I think birch. We cannot decide to paint them or stain them. Or what color?? We had all white cabinets before, never tired of them, but thinking we might like stained for a change..? I love light & airy rooms though...There is still much to do.. Get rid of popcorn ceilings, lighting, etc etc...We had to do this on a tight budget so black granite look laminate countertops, a free table we turned into an island & have to wait on the rest for awhile..... I just can't decide ...

What's your thoughts?? Any suggestions r needed!!

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Comments (4)

live_wire_oak
10 years ago
There is very little contrast in your picture, and the room needs some darker tones brought in. I'd consider staining them a medium to dark tone. By a pro. Birch takes some care to stain well.

Then consider adding additional lighting to the room. All I see is the single track fixture, and that's not nearly enough fixtures to provide adequate light.
nosoccermom
10 years ago
It's hard to see, but if the grain is fine, I would just use a natural stain. Love the cabinets as they are.

Do you already have hardware on there, or what are you planning?

Or is it beech?
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Did you save any scraps of wood? I have used a lime wax before. It would make it look like your candlesticks. I’m not a pro, so I would consult someone before using it on a built-in. An espresso stain would match other elements and not compete with the fireplace, but might be heavy. I think you have a very nice balance between dark and light now. If you had continued your baseboard beneath it, I would say paint it the trim color. Probably would still be fine. Hopefully someone will give you some advice on other colors. I would definitely try any stain/wax treatments on scrap first so you know what technique will give you the color you want. You might have to use wood conditioner or do a certain number of coats.
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Olychick
10 years ago
I'm partial to natural wood. You can always paint them 10 years from now if they need refreshing or you want a change. I'd do them a color similar to your FABULOUS coffee table. If they are birch, they will gradually darken in the exposure to light, even with a natural stain, so you might want to try to find out what wood it is.

Your kitchen looks wonderful; you must be so pleased!
mama-sweetT
Original Author
10 years ago
You guys r so gr8, ,, thanks for responding:)

It's just a tough decision.... But I think you are right olychick! Once painted it would b very difficult to go back. I just wasn't sure if light stain was "in" theses days... I have had that table for so long...would not mind a new one to tell the truth!

Nosoccermom, thanks so much for the photos!! They r beautiful! No we haven't selected hardware until we decide the finish. If white was going to go with the cup style brushed nickle drawer handles & matching knobs on cabinets... But if stained light might go with something a little more contemporary, even though our house is a traditional 1976 model... Not sure if we should do that because may be selling it soon... Have to keep in mind the masses...

Live wire, you r so right.. Little contrast in here... Guess I'm afraid... I love to paint& Contrast is what I struggle with in my paintings also! I think with the dark countertops (though not much of It) would that not be too much dark?? Plus since it is so open to living R that is mostly whites & tans ( one whole wall is a painted off white brick fireplace... Hmmm, I don't like Mid tone brown stains at all.. Reminds me of the 70 cabinets we had when we purchased this place... But DO like the Very dark almost black stains... Something to think about for sure...

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