It's really easy to rub stain into a scratch on a wood door and make it hardly noticeable. I decided against paint for my new kitchen without any children (much less five under five!) and no animals, because I knew there would be scratches and I knew I wouldn't like the resulting "patina". You can paint out scratches a bit, but it's hard with a factory paint job. Factory paint is more durable than brushed paint, but brushed paint is easier to "fix". So... how much do you like the white vs. how much do you hate bumps and scratches? Would you ever consider something as unstylish as melamine? As expensive as lacquer? Do you expect to move or redo your kitchen by the time your kids are in their teens? Or when they're out of the house? Or do you expect this kitchen to survive their childhood?

I'm resurrecting this thread...have a slightly different question in addition to all of the issues already discussed. I'm going to order from Conestoga I think. I'm replacing white thermofoil doors which are 20 years old and haven't really faded, but there are a few where a candle or the toaster got too close and caused some minor melting....Most people think they look nice, but in my mind they are still "cheap". The uppers are 42" I'm going to stick with white and just buy doors to match the existing boxes which are fine. Also, I have granite and it's hard to find someone willing to remove it to install complete cabinets. My question is....will a mapleframe/mdf center FEEL like a real wood door? Will it feel different than my thermofoil? I'm talking in terms of both surface and the weight in your hand as you open and close it. Will the outside edges and the panel raise etc be sharper than thermofoil? If I get mdf center will I still have the defined edges I am looking for. If you've had thermofoil you will know what I am asking. I'm toying with getting 5 peice mdf...but don't want to lose the wood look or feel... I think the mdf center is my best bet. My husband is what I like to call..anal...pretty sure he will be bothered by cracks, but he doesn't want the fake plastic look either. Pretty sure all wood is not a good choice for me, too bad because I love wood... The style I am leaning toward is https://www.cabinetjoint.com/cabinet-door/monarch-square/  but I am also toying with shaker style. Wondering if the shaker trend is headed out....Also considering doing a grey island by applying end panels. Guess I could start a new thread for those questions.

love the wood, and retiring to a cabin, I'm so jealous. you could certainly add some light through the pieces around the room. a quick white wash to the table and chair set and the coffee table. I love the black white check theme you have started, keep going with that and pretty soon the wood will fade into the background. maybe white wash the two columns and maybe pick an accent wall to paint to add some contast to the wood. and I think the rugs will go a long way to brighten up the space. if you do decide to paint some of the wood, remember, the wood will always be there to return to for you or another later. good luck and happy sleeping in, you deserve it.

I'm touching up my kitchen. Reworking things isn't in the budget for a while. But some painting is. Not posting the whole thing right now, just looking for paint suggestions. I have a very small area of backspash that I want to go over in white for now. It's only about 10 4x4 tiles (in two single strips of 5 tiles) in a sort of out of the way spot, so I'm not going to argue about just wanting to go painted white with it for now. I would like it to last a while if I can. There used to be a paint on product to go over tub and tile. Meant to stick to sealed ceramic tile and last for a couple years if treated nice. Now I can only find it in a spray can. I'd rather not have to full mask off 10 tiles worth of space between the window and cabinets for spraying if I can find the paint on version. I realize I can buy the spray cans and spray into a bucket and paint with it- but again, if there is an easier paint of version I'd rather do it.