Help choosing an easy(not messy) cabinet redo process and color

Question

I want to redo my cabinets grey, black or espresso. I can't make a decision and I don't want to make a super mess when doing the cabinet part. I have light oak trim throughout my house and an oak wood floor in living room and hall. The walls are dark grey and the white walls are going to be opal waters(blue grey) because the kitchen floor is a blue tone ceramic tile( that I cant$ replace. Ideas PLEASE.

Cheryl @ Artzzle · Answer

Hi. Been there, done that ... several times, and the most current 3 projects were VERY SUCCESSFUL. First, I would recommend Rustoleum Cabinet Transformation kits. Find at most hardware (True Value) or big box stores (Home Depot, Lowes). 1. No sanding; 2. No fumes. 3. LOTS of color choices, 4.Get a painted finish OR a country stained look. 5. Wears VERY WELL with time and use. 6. Easy to touch up if/when necessary. About colors, you have quite a bit of darks there, and your next wall color sounds like it leans to the darker side. Look at the colors you've already chosen and go with the lighter(est) tones on the strip. OR, go with something completely different (but still mid-lighter tones) as an accent. That beautiful vaulted wall in the kitchen can really make or break your look. I'd go for lighter but still bright. If you prefer the darks find something that's in the floor tile OR, what maybe a green that leans blue. How about a red? You're using it in accents already, just remember it would be bold and still a bit dark. Can't wait to see when you finish. Could you please post your AFTERS? Here are some of my successes. You don't even have to trim yours out, they're ready to start as is. :) http://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/finally-finished-the-kitchen-is-done-13250647://www.hometalk.com/diy/bathroom/cabinets/easy-cabinet-transformation-kit-3050621

KatAych · Answer

Well, it sounds and looks like you like grey! If the walls are going to be a blue/grey to pull out the blue/grey from the floor tiles, I'd suggest doing something different with the cabinets. Your dining area is dark - I'd go dark with the cabinets. It looks like you've got sufficient sunlight coming in to your kitchen, so it won't be toooo dark. And it'll break up the blue/grey walls and floor. You can upload a picture of your kitchen at the Sherwin-Williams site and actually try out the different colors. Maybe that will help you decide what looks best for you!

Janet Pizaro · Answer

My suggestion to you is to go the store you are purchasing the cabinets from and pay to borrow the samples of the wood color choices. You will get a better feel for what belongs in your kitchen. Once that is decided then choose the paint color. In my opinion going into a project with paint colors stuck in your mind it them becomes harder to make a decision. Been There Done That...

Moxie · Answer

I have the same caninets as you also have oak laminate flooring and stainless appliances...i went darker grey on bottom and white on uppers i was able to do it without getting on floor using the plastic that comes in a roll with tape allready on one side as drops...hope that helps : )

Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot · Answer

I vote for the light gray color. Very light. You have a lot of dark going on all around it. I would think about doing some stainless steel bar pulls as well. Would look great with everything else you have. What paint do you plan on using? another poster just did her cabinets in gray and gave detailed instructions with Advance paint. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets-14227468

Shereen Karim · Answer

Sheri,you should try the espresso cabinets,I redo my breakfast area and I did espresso  and walls Tony Taupe,

LD · Answer

In regards to the color for the kitchen cabinets, I would do a darker shade on the base cabinets, make the upper cabinets a medium light color, and paint the walls the lightest in the color range. Minwax makes a water based stain that comes in woodtones as well as color. Whether you paint or refinish the front of the cabinets, this will not be a quickie job, if you want a good professional looking finish. You remove the doors, drawers, and hardware from the cabinets, degrease the cabinets, sanding, painting/staining, protective finish. Just be sure to label the doors for reinstalling them to the proper cabinet. If you have a garage, this is a great place to work on the cabinet fronts and drawers to minimize dust not only during the sanding process, but also the painting/staining/finishing process.

Deena Doggett Beard · Answer

I gel stained my kitchen island using General Finishes in black. It took 3 coats of gel stain, then I put 2 coats of wipe-on poly on top for durability. It's been a year and have had no chipping problems and it's easy to clean (I have 4 teenagers). I cleaned the cabinets really well then lightly sanded (like a minute on each door - so just enough to give the stain something to adhere to). The first couple of coats look really bad, but by the third coat the finish is beautiful.

Cheryle Fuller · Answer

Why donlt you settle on 2-3 colors you might like and paint the insides of the doors first, taking them off to work on them. When you move it around the room to choose the one you want, then paint all of them. You can do one in expresso, one a light gray, one a blue gray. i would also think about a bold color also, such as Navy or Teal. I like teal and gray together.

Sheri · Answer

Well haven't started, it's my next project but my decisions on what to have been made.  Thank you everyone.  While I like painted I have decided on general finish espresso gel stain.  As suggested by one I picked up some samples( although they were wood flooring) and the dark wood really popped:)

Shereen Karim · Answer

I used sherwin Williams ,also dark clove is nice,oh u started the lighter grey on wall ,excellent and modern,,you can use any product I think,good luck and I hope it's pretty when u done

Melanie · Answer

I used Dark Roast gel stain in my bathroom. I used a brush for the first coat and then the sock. It wasn't messy and I love the results!

Melanie · Answer

No I did everything with the brush let it dry overnight and then did the sock.  It's very dark almost black.

Melanie · Answer

I can't remember offhand. I can look when I get home. I bought it at Home Depot. If you are just wanting some warmth then I would just use the sock to put it on, let it dry and do the next coat.

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