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Paint Design Dilemma Kitchens

Should I paint my kitchen cabinets? Help!!

3 years ago

We have sturdy, well built older oak cabinets in our kitchen. The big question is should I paint them? And if I do, what color? We have black appliances, granite countertops and a laminate floor. I would love your suggestions!

Featured Answer

izeve

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I would consider changing your backsplash over painting cabinets. Painted oak will never look great - the grain will show through the paint. Plus you have exposed hinges which is really not a good look with painted cabinets. But your kitchen could be nicely updated by getting a new backsplash.

Can you post some pictures showing more of your kitchen (overall view, not so close up) so that we can get a better idea of the space?

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Comments (10)

izeve
3 years ago
Look at this idea book from @jhmarie

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens
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There are MANY good ideas for you here! When I first viewed your pictures, I felt that the room was very monochromatic; it is variations on brown and beige. So, I would choose a new backsplash with a WOW factor that includes some dramatic color. It appears that you have under-cabinet lighting, so it would really make a gorgeous backsplash stand out. Consider a vivid blue or bright red accent color, or a variety of product in one of these colorways. Then, I would address the pantry and the other walls. I would choose a deeper shade of paint and paint all the white on the pantry wall in that color, possibly the same as the bright color in the backsplash. Then, the paint on the other walls needs to be addressed. I would stay far away from anything with yellow in it, and choose something like Sherwin Williams Popular Gray, that has some beige and gray in it, but not the yellow tones. The drywall around the pantry could be popular gray, too, or a darker hue than Popular Gray Then, I would contact someone that does electrostatic painting, and have the appliances painted, unless you want to get new stainless ones. See if you can get a stainless look from the paint, and save some $$$. I had appliances painted, and never looked back. I also would either replace the tile floor, or i that is not an option, get some dramatic rugs that will add your colors and tie the floor in with the backsplash. I would also consider getting an updated dining set that doesn't have so much brown.
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arcy_gw
3 years ago
I agree oak is not a wood to paint. You could have them stripped and freshened with a different stain...oak is such a beautiful wood it saddens me it has fallen out of favor.
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
3 years ago
I disagree about painting oak. If done properly, it looks great. A client of mine just had her old oak cabinets painted and, yes you do see some grain, but that adds to the character. It looks like painted wood, not plastic.

I'd paint the cabinets, and change out the hardware. If you have the budget, you may want to consider replacing the busy granite counter top with a more subdued stone.
Michael Stokes
3 years ago
I would leave the oak as it is. It looks stylish and aristocratic, the whole design can be built around cabinets.
THOR, Son of ODIN
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
What look are you going for?

1st: change the hardware

2nd: consider painting the backsplash tiles to a solid color

3rd: find less busy-patterned countertops

https://mariakillam.com/design-rustic-kitchen-makeoever-before-after/
ljptwt7
3 years ago
I love painted oak with the grain showing. As someone else stated it looks like painted wood, not plastic.
That being said, I think in your case I would change the backsplash or counter depending on which one you love. They don't seem to go well together. You could also change the hardware to update your look.
eandhl2
3 years ago
I agree with Diana, I like painted oak.
lynartist
3 years ago
I have painted oak cabinets and they look great. Of course the grain shows. That’s part of the charm and they look like the real wood cabinets that they are! I also don’t have a problem with the exposed hinges. It’s a vintage kitchen ; remove all the hardware, clean them well and reuse them. Painting kitchen cabinets is a big job however so make sure you are up to the task. I do think you need to change your backsplash though. It just doesn’t work with your granite.
lynartist
3 years ago
These are oak.

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