Kitchen Confidential: Painted vs Stained Cabinets
See the pros and cons of these two popular cabinet finishes
Sam Ferris
17 November 2016
Houzz Contributor. I have more than seven years of experience in the design industry, including residential renovation, cabinet, and flooring design. I currently work for RVK Architecture, a professional design firm that delivers successful architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture solutions to public and private clients.
Houzz Contributor. I have more than seven years of experience in the design industry,... More
Kitchen cabinets are largely about the finish. Whether you’re buying cabinets for the first time or you’re a seasoned kitchen renovator, it probably didn’t take you long to realise that stain and paint are two totally different slices of pie. Not sure which one you prefer? Here’s the scoop on the perks and pitfalls of both finishes.
Painted Cabinets: Pros
Paint offers a clean aesthetic
Not all roads lead to a crisp kitchen design, but painted cabinetry is one that does. The classic all-white kitchen, for example, wouldn’t be what it is without gleaming white cabinets. However, all paint colours – whites and creams to greys and blues – bring a sleek, clean finish to the table. Paint is perfect for homeowners who aren’t a fan of the character marks common to stained wood cabinets and instead prefer a smooth, flawless finish.
Paint offers a clean aesthetic
Not all roads lead to a crisp kitchen design, but painted cabinetry is one that does. The classic all-white kitchen, for example, wouldn’t be what it is without gleaming white cabinets. However, all paint colours – whites and creams to greys and blues – bring a sleek, clean finish to the table. Paint is perfect for homeowners who aren’t a fan of the character marks common to stained wood cabinets and instead prefer a smooth, flawless finish.
Paint allows you to get more colourful
If you’re thinking of tranquil teal, submarine yellow or lipstick red as cabinet colours, paint is your best bet. Paint sticks to the surface of wood, so it doesn’t get lost in the mix of grains and knots the way a stain does. As a result, paint showcases whichever hue you select and gives you more opportunity to customise the look of your kitchen.
Colour-blocking in the kitchen
If you’re thinking of tranquil teal, submarine yellow or lipstick red as cabinet colours, paint is your best bet. Paint sticks to the surface of wood, so it doesn’t get lost in the mix of grains and knots the way a stain does. As a result, paint showcases whichever hue you select and gives you more opportunity to customise the look of your kitchen.
Colour-blocking in the kitchen
Paint applies better to MDF
Choosing medium-density fibreboard (think particle or furniture board) is an effective way to cut cabinet costs. The material also takes paint well. Whether it’s a grey, white or cream colour, it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between these materials and real wood when they’re painted.
Choosing medium-density fibreboard (think particle or furniture board) is an effective way to cut cabinet costs. The material also takes paint well. Whether it’s a grey, white or cream colour, it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between these materials and real wood when they’re painted.
Painted Cabinets: Cons
Paint hides character features
Paint is thicker than stain, so it doesn’t get absorbed by wood the way stain does. If you want to see grains and knots in plain sight, you probably shouldn’t go with painted cabinets. Though you’ll still see the grain imprints in woods like oak and hickory, they’ll mostly be hidden behind whichever coat of paint you choose. Some homeowners may see this characteristic as a plus (those who want clean and modern cabinetry, for instance). But those who are fond of wood’s natural beauty will chalk this down as a negative.
Paint hides character features
Paint is thicker than stain, so it doesn’t get absorbed by wood the way stain does. If you want to see grains and knots in plain sight, you probably shouldn’t go with painted cabinets. Though you’ll still see the grain imprints in woods like oak and hickory, they’ll mostly be hidden behind whichever coat of paint you choose. Some homeowners may see this characteristic as a plus (those who want clean and modern cabinetry, for instance). But those who are fond of wood’s natural beauty will chalk this down as a negative.
Paint tends to cost more
Painted cabinets aren’t exactly budget-friendly. They can be, but if you’re comparing them with stained cabinets, you’ll find that they often carry a steeper price tag. How much higher? The answer ultimately depends on who’s making the cabinets and where you’re buying them from, but typically they cost about 10 to 15 per cent more. That’s hundreds or thousands of extra dollars you’re forking over, depending on the size of your kitchen.
Painted cabinets aren’t exactly budget-friendly. They can be, but if you’re comparing them with stained cabinets, you’ll find that they often carry a steeper price tag. How much higher? The answer ultimately depends on who’s making the cabinets and where you’re buying them from, but typically they cost about 10 to 15 per cent more. That’s hundreds or thousands of extra dollars you’re forking over, depending on the size of your kitchen.
Paint is harder to touch up
This one may stir up a bit of debate among designers and homeowners. Paint touch-ups can be tricky. For one thing, you may not always know the exact colour of your cabinet. If you’re buying semi-custom or prefabricated cabinets, paint companies like Taubmans and Dulux may not have an exact match. Cabinetmakers and manufacturers may also apply paints by spraying, a method that looks smoother but is hard to replicate with a touch-up kit. Brushed finishes are better for hiding touch-ups.
Make coloured kitchen appliances work
This one may stir up a bit of debate among designers and homeowners. Paint touch-ups can be tricky. For one thing, you may not always know the exact colour of your cabinet. If you’re buying semi-custom or prefabricated cabinets, paint companies like Taubmans and Dulux may not have an exact match. Cabinetmakers and manufacturers may also apply paints by spraying, a method that looks smoother but is hard to replicate with a touch-up kit. Brushed finishes are better for hiding touch-ups.
Make coloured kitchen appliances work
Stained Cabinets: Pros
Stain showcases more wood features
Stain strikes a good balance between colour and texture. This is a definitive plus for many homeowners. Unlike paint, stain doesn’t steal the spotlight from your wood’s natural character. Since it’s thinner than paint, it seeps into the surface, which can enhance the natural beauty of your wood. You’ll definitely be able to admire the wood’s distinctive features.
Stain showcases more wood features
Stain strikes a good balance between colour and texture. This is a definitive plus for many homeowners. Unlike paint, stain doesn’t steal the spotlight from your wood’s natural character. Since it’s thinner than paint, it seeps into the surface, which can enhance the natural beauty of your wood. You’ll definitely be able to admire the wood’s distinctive features.
Stain is easier to touch up
Touch-up markers for stains are easier to find, and even if there isn’t an exact match, there’s likely a colour out there that closely resembles your stain. Touch-ups also tend to blend better on stained cabinets, especially ones with a lot of grain.
Touch-up markers for stains are easier to find, and even if there isn’t an exact match, there’s likely a colour out there that closely resembles your stain. Touch-ups also tend to blend better on stained cabinets, especially ones with a lot of grain.
Stain usually costs less
Cost ultimately hinges on several factors, such as kitchen size, cabinet construction, manufacturer and so forth. But stain tends to keep costs on the lower side, a huge benefit if you’re flipping a house, renovating a rental unit or simply don’t want to spend a fortune on kitchen cabinets. It generally costs less than paint, though customised options will be more expensive.
Cost ultimately hinges on several factors, such as kitchen size, cabinet construction, manufacturer and so forth. But stain tends to keep costs on the lower side, a huge benefit if you’re flipping a house, renovating a rental unit or simply don’t want to spend a fortune on kitchen cabinets. It generally costs less than paint, though customised options will be more expensive.
Stained Cabinets: Cons
Stain doesn’t look as good on MDF
Medium-density fibreboard can offer huge savings on cabinets, but it simply doesn’t take stain as well as it takes paint. Whereas paint rarely looks different on MDF exteriors, stains do. It isn’t as authentic of a look as, say, oak cabinetry. You’ll have to seek other ways to lower your cabinet cost if you’re set on stained cabinetry.
Browse more dark-wood kitchen cabinets
Stain doesn’t look as good on MDF
Medium-density fibreboard can offer huge savings on cabinets, but it simply doesn’t take stain as well as it takes paint. Whereas paint rarely looks different on MDF exteriors, stains do. It isn’t as authentic of a look as, say, oak cabinetry. You’ll have to seek other ways to lower your cabinet cost if you’re set on stained cabinetry.
Browse more dark-wood kitchen cabinets
Stain shows nearly all of wood’s blemishes
Some say blemishes; others say character. Again, some homeowners see this as nothing but a good thing. On the flip side, many don’t want to see wood’s imperfections, such as uneven grain distributions and colour inconsistencies. Stains take a back seat to the wood they’re applied to, which allows every distinct feature to show – for better or worse.
Some say blemishes; others say character. Again, some homeowners see this as nothing but a good thing. On the flip side, many don’t want to see wood’s imperfections, such as uneven grain distributions and colour inconsistencies. Stains take a back seat to the wood they’re applied to, which allows every distinct feature to show – for better or worse.
Dark stains and paints don’t hide dust well
This is a negative for both dark stains and dark paints. While lighter cabinets can chip and stain more easily, they do a good job at hiding dust. Darker stains and paints, not so much. Dust particles stand out more on dark cabinet surfaces, which can require more upkeep.
TELL US
Which finish do you prefer for your kitchen cabinets, and why? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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This is a negative for both dark stains and dark paints. While lighter cabinets can chip and stain more easily, they do a good job at hiding dust. Darker stains and paints, not so much. Dust particles stand out more on dark cabinet surfaces, which can require more upkeep.
TELL US
Which finish do you prefer for your kitchen cabinets, and why? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more kitchen feature stories
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Stained (light) birch shaker style cabinets in my primary home. Painted wood cabinets in my vacation home. The stained cabinets are infinitely easier to maintain. They are from the 80’s and look great. Painted cabinets are 9 years old and look just awful around cabinet handles. They are chipped and greasy looking.
We had white painted caninets in our last house and we have grain matched white oak in our current house. The white oak is definitely lower maintenance. There’s not a single noticeable blemish and I just surface spot-clean as needed, which isn’t very often.
Back in the 50's and 60's painted cabinets were usually painted because the wood was of lessor quality. Painted cabinets were considered cheap looking. They still look that way to me, is it my upbringing? Who knows, but you cannot deny the richness of woodgrains and the warmth that natural, quality wood brings to your home. Why on earth would you cover up that esthetic? Stain for me