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can we stain (rather than paint) the inside of white cabinets?

14 years ago

If we do a white kitchen (not stark white, more of an antique or glazed white) can we stain the inside of the cabinets....or will that look weird when you open up the cabinets? We are doing butcherblock countertops, so I thought the little glimpse of wood inside the cabinets would be nice. My DH says he is unsure if that is "proper"...he said, "Ask the folks at Gardenweb!" He knows I get great info here!

I know a standard answer is "Do what you like" but as much as we want this kitchen to be unique and have our own "stamp" on it...we don't want to be known in the neighborhood as the family with the crazy kitchen.

Thanks!

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Comments (5)

Fori
14 years ago
It would be different, but it would be lovely. It might also be dark and hard to find your things! And it might be very expensive, if you could find a cabinet company that would even do it. I think you'd have to go custom!

But weird? Not at all.
dirtymartini
Original Author
14 years ago
Well, my husband (who is a very experienced wood worker...not by trade, it is a hobby but he has built beautiful furniture) is considering doing our kitchen cabinets himself, and then purchasing doors. I am sure I'll be posting more about that later! (insert scared emoticon here)

We kind of thought it would be easier and cheaper than painting...is there something I am not considering? Also, we could stain it rather light in there, right? Although I would be tempted to have them the same color as the butcherblock, which we are thinking stained dark, and waterloxed (we won't be cutting directly on the counters.)

Thanks for the thumbs up!
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happytobehome
14 years ago
We painted our old oak cabinets white, but left the inside as it was -- a light stain. I think it looks fine. However, I don't have any glass cabinet doors, so the inside doesn't show unless the cabinet is open. The doors are new. Here are some pics. Hope this helps.

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plllog
14 years ago
The looks are fine--it's the finish you have to consider. Most people want a tough surface on their cabinet interiors to make cleaning easy. There are finishes that will provide this, but the best are usually applied before the cabinets are made. If you do DIY stain you should probably line the shelves, or rub on a few layers of furniture wax.
bmorepanic
14 years ago
Crownpoint uses veneer interiors - what better references?

Most people don't do this because you need a veneered interior to begin with and they are very difficult to work with because the veneer is very thin.

I got my cabinets from Scherrs - really good you-put-it-together customized cabinets. I had them finish the veneer interiors and the solid wood drawers with catalyzed varnish (stronger than paint). I assembled and finished the outsides and doors.

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