Kitchen Cabinet Suggestions, Please Help. I'm Torn.
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I have honey oak cabinets. Wall to wall. Black hardware. All white appliances. I don't care for the combo. It's screaming for streamlining or something. While thinking stainless is nice, I don't see it happening for a long time. I'm convinced with white appliances, white cabinets would be best for this kitchen. My walls will remain a golden/tan color to match back splash and floor. What do you think? Help, please!
Double oven, range, dishwasher, microwave and fridge are all white. Oak with black hardware is lacking.
Please excuse the pot, I'm simmering a soup.
Will white cabinets be best choice?
61 answers
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I also had golden oak cabinets that I hated, so after 20 yrs. of living with them I decided to re-do them. Everyone said DON'T paint, soooooo I stripped, sanded, cleaned and stained them a dark cherry. Took me almost 3 mos, by myself. Now that I have finished and looked at them for a few mos. I'm so wishing I had painted them, don't get me wrong I like the cherry for I am a dark wood person, but I should have gone with my first gut feeling and done a two tone paint job. I wanted to do the framing a darker gray with the doors a couple shades lighter. It would have been so much easier and not to mention faster. I think if you did a two tone on yours, you would be well satisfied, cannot tell the color of your countertop, but do something that compliments counters and flooring. Good luck, and post your results for us.
Judy
on Dec 30, 2013
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On more than one occasion I have read that decorators say if you have oak cabinets, painting the walls yellow only brings out all the yellow/orangey tones in oak. Some people may like that but more times than not, it seems this yellow walls/oak cabinets combo leaves homeowners feeling something doesn't look quite right. If you are set on leaving the walls yellow, painting the cabinets is probably the best option. I'm a white cabinet lover so that's the direction I would go, especially with your white appliances. (I also love classic white appliances. No stainless steel for me! I've read it's on the way "out" anyway.) However, if you are not convinced you want to paint the cabinets, a change in wall color could be the easiest fix. Muted sage greens look stunning with oak cabinets. Your floor and back splash look very neutral and since the wall color does not have to match the flooring and back splash, sage green would work perfectly well with them too.
Shari
on Dec 30, 2013
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Robin you can change the appliances easily and fairly cheaply until you can buy new appliances .. check out this site http://fauxsteel.com/.. Antique white w/ maybe a light gray (a 2 tone effect like Judy suggested) as your countertop looks to have grey in it. Be sure and post pics. And remember paint is not permanent take the leap you will be so happy
Cynthia E
on Dec 30, 2013
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Judging by the décor accents in your kitchen now, I get the feeling that you like antiques/vintage. If I'm right Robin, I would paint the cabinets with an antique looking white & then do a bit of distressing on the edges. This would help break up the all white & add some interest. If you're interested, I can give you the name of a site that has a tutorial on how to distress your cabinets or you can check online. It's not that hard & the results are amazing! Hope this helps!
Sandra Hellewell
on Dec 30, 2013
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Don't paint. It creates more maintenance with dings and shows dirt. You will have to touch up the doors near the knobs if you are fussy like me. Staining them is much more practical. You could update by changing the backsplash, lighting, door hardware for a new look. Especially if you have nice solid wood cabinets, try changing the things that cost the least and don't create more work for you.
Julie Bruno
on Dec 30, 2013
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas. Sandra and Shari have me headed in the right direction. I'll wait for more feedback.
Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations
on Dec 30, 2013
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I absolutely ADORE white cabinets. However, my friends that have them tell me they require a lot more attention to spills and a lot more wiping down. And paint can stain! While a change might make you feel better, will it be worth it? Please consider your family dynamics! Teenagers? Oh my! Messy creatures! Little ones with sticky stains on their fingers? Busy job with little energy left to clean? You might want to consider a light sanding and some sort of light wash on them for now. I am well past retirement and this old body cannot bend and stoop to clean cabinets...and there is no way I am getting on a ladder or step stool!
Jeanette S
on Dec 31, 2013
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I have had white cabinets for 3 years and I don't find them difficult or time-consuming to keep clean at all. Of course I don't have small children (or grandchildren) but I do cook a lot, almost every single day and oftentimes multiple times a day. I spend far more time wiping my counter tops and stove top than I do the cabinets themselves. When I do have a spill down the front of a cabinet or a little dirt around a door pull, it simply takes only a split second to wipe it right then or while I'm wiping down the counter tops. It's not like I'm having to continuously spend time cleaning every single inch of the upper and lower cabinets. Frankly, in three years, I've never needed to wipe down probably 95% of my upper cabinets and 85% of my lower cabinets. I guess it depends on how messy a person is (and maybe how often you fry food, which I rarely do) but I think if you like white cabinets and want white cabinets you shouldn't be persuaded to chose something else based on "white requires more maintenance," because in my opinion, I don't feel it does. The fact is, anything used on a regular basis is going to get dirty and personally, I'd rather be able to see dirt and grime so I can clean it up rather than live with it camouflaged.
Shari
on Dec 31, 2013
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I painted my cabinets, using the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformation kit. I used Quilter's White which is a creamy color. They turned out great in my opinion. The only thing I wasn't quite satisfied with was how they looked with the white appliances. Later, when my son's stove went out I took the opportunity to buy new appliances for myself and pass mine on to his family. I've said all this to make the point to choose a white that will look good with your appliances. I don't regret painting mine and it was a lot of work but I like them so much more now.
Becky E
on Dec 31, 2013
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How about top cabinets edged in white with centers painted to match bottom cabinets. For bottom cabinets...take a color from your floor tile . Then accent the floor and cabinets by putting a rag rug that combines the two colors.
Sherry Harrell
on Dec 31, 2013
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Hi Robin. i didn't read every word that everyone wrote, so if I missed this idea, please forgive me for repeating it. I would remove the doors from that cabinet with the panes and have open cabinetry there. I have white cabinets in my kitchen and really like them. They look so clean. Your countertops seem to have some grey in them. If so, you could go with a gray for the walls with white cabinets or even the other way around. I think those colors would pull the whole kitchen together nicely. I would accent with reds or blues, both of which look nice with gray and white. Just throwing in my two cents.
Sue Hebert
on Dec 31, 2013
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I would pick a color that is in your floor and countertops and do your cabinets with a wash of that color that will accent your walls and backsplash.
Shala Cripps
on Jan 01, 2014
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Or a color tone that is in the floor and countertops bot if you do white cabinets I would go with Sues idea and do the walls or cabinets gray or white as that looks like it would go with the floir and countertops the best hope this helps or gives you an idea
Shala Cripps
on Jan 01, 2014
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Sorry meant floor not floir
Shala Cripps
on Jan 01, 2014
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Obviously, I'm different than any of the others here. I love the cabinets, just as they are. I would want different color appliances......like stainless steel or one of the newer mellow colors I've seen. I know stainless has been around for a while, but I still love it.
Luann Chandler
on Jan 01, 2014
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use a cream paint and antique it with a dark color.
Cynthia Fisher
on Jan 01, 2014
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I like the wood. The only thing I would change is the floor
Sandra T
on Jan 01, 2014
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I would definitely paint the cabinets...a light tan would soften the look...try a complimentary color to your floor and backsplash in a similar hue...you'll know when it's right. Or perhaps a light aqua to add a fresh spin. Look at lots of magazines!
Paula Wyrick
on Jan 01, 2014
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I'm with Cynthia, use a cream color paint, or light tan, then antique it with a darker color to show up the wood grain. You might even can do it with paint on a sponge, then you can eliminate the antiquing step.
Linda Stroney
on Jan 01, 2014
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I think they would look great a barn red with the black handles. Not a glossy red, but barn paint works great. Lightly sand before using.
Cathy Cottrell
on Jan 01, 2014
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Could you do new door drawer fronts sooner than new cabinets?
Polly Zieper
on Jan 01, 2014
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Oak looks great with a light wash of white chalk paint so that some of the wood actually shows through; a limed oak or white wash finish. I think it would look great with your white appliances, the color tones in the kitchen and compliment the style of the cabinets and the rest of your decor. Have fun.
Cherrie
on Jan 01, 2014
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We installed white cabinets eleven years ago when we built our house. They still look like new and are easy to keep that way. We painted some mahogany ones white in our former home and what a transformation! Once you make the change, live with it for awhile before you do anything else to your decor. Have fun painting! Val
Val
on Jan 01, 2014
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Hi Anne I would go with Anne Sloan's Old Ochre coloured chalk paint after all the doors etc. are primed. Then sand some edges of the details, and use a dark brown stain just rubbed into the sanded area and take the excess stain off. Finishing I would give two coats of clear polyurethane to project your paint, and it will make it easier to wipe down the cupboards. You have a rustic decor, so I think giving your cupboards a rustic look would make everything come together beautifully. Also the black hardware would stand out more and go perfectly with the paint colour.
Kim Dagenais
on Jan 01, 2014
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I like Cynthia's suggestion... painting the cabinets a cream color would be very pretty, and show the floor to its best advantage.
Linda Weeks
on Jan 01, 2014
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Change the hardware, it would have an immediate effect for an update. If you want to take it further and your counter top is not a high end material, try painting it. There are special paints out there, like Giani Granite. Otherwise, I really like your kitchen. Good luck.
Liliana Wells
on Jan 01, 2014
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I think painting the cabinets white and antiquing would look fab. Then you could decide if you want to change out the hardware or spray paint it white, or whatever.
Lori Rowe
on Jan 01, 2014
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I think I would go black. It would really pop. You could antique them, or keep them a semi gloss color. Change out the handles for a brushed nickle or something.
Jill
on Jan 01, 2014
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I love your kitchen, change the hardware to stainless, or spray paint them brushed silver by Rustoleum, I did that & it made a huge impact. I would paint the kitchen a darker color maybe an orange to go with the floor. Or change the floor to the 24x12 tiles. You need a darker color to bring out the best.....
Dee
on Jan 01, 2014
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That would be a lot of cabinets to paint. I love painted and/or glazed cabinets but think I would have a professional do it. Looks like you have and island or something like it. Could you face in with beadboard and maybe paint it black to go with your hardware and not have so much of the cabinet color as prominent. Good luck!
Linda
on Jan 01, 2014
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Thank you everyone, for your wonderful suggestions. Before I do anything, I'll test a wood cabinet piece with my choice paint. I'll place it at the counter as a "do I like it or leave it" deal breaker. You have all given me many ideas, Thanks so much!
Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations
on Jan 01, 2014
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I love your cabinets and the color. You really have to look hard now days to find oak in a home so I wouldn't change them. Have you thought of painting the walls a lighter color maybe a cream that would brighten the whole kitchen.
Marilynn
on Jan 01, 2014
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you might want to consider a light gray paint instead of white. Looks like that may go with your flooring and the appliances would blend in with as well. Good luck.
Jo Goldsmith
on Jan 02, 2014
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Paint is the easiest fix. But paint the walls not the cabinets. Everyone who paints cabinets say it is easy, BUT it is not. And this is a kitchen and painted cabinets will be hard to keep up. I have painted bathroom vanities, and that is a much smaller scale and it took forever to get it just right. I agree with the light gray paint too. Either go lighter or darker, that is where you will get the most bang. Can you see the kitchen from another room? Coordinate the colors. Sage Green would be another color choice, it mixes grays with green.
Dee
on Jan 02, 2014
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Have you considered stenciling the cabinets !!! I WOULD NOT CHANGE COLOR OF CABINETS
Bonnie Herring
on Jan 02, 2014
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If it were my kitchen I would use a high gloss white paint. High gloss paint is washable and the moisture in the kitchen - like steam coming out of a cooking pot - won't harm it. I was trying to look close up at your back splash, but cannot see it clearly. The gold paint also 'dates' your kitchen. Once the cabinets are painted you may (or may not!) want to consider painting the walls a more updated color.
Janis Hill
on Jan 02, 2014
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You certainly don't have to go white- with so many choices of colors! AND I would chalk paint them- there are many DIY recipes that are so easy to whip up and use! I'd use a color you love that's in your decorating theme! The photo shows a set of kitchen cabinets I recently painted with Chalk paint...
Carrie
on Jan 03, 2014
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I like a white kitchen with white appliances. it gives the kitchen continuity and a fresh look.
Peggy
on Jan 11, 2014
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I have white cabinets, and I want yours. I'm with Carrie, if you are going to do them do them something that says a decorator lives here. white to me in decorating is so BORING.
Linda Stroney
on Jan 11, 2014
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I would paint them white! Just be sure it's the same white as the appliances. Your kitchen will then be more beautiful than ever.
Jo Ann Miller
on Jan 11, 2014
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Don't paint the cabinets, change the hardware, and paint the kitchen . Cabinets are nice !!
Linda
on May 10, 2014
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White cabimets, "ganite overlay" counter, and "Stainless-colord" appliances w/black hardware. Finish w/pale laminate flooring. Accent w/black and white lighting, (more white with black "strips" and white table and chairs, Just finished mine and it is gorgeous. Use glass front cabinets for display of white dishes, and aqua for a light. bright kitchen!
Vera Dormady
on May 12, 2014
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I personally love honey oak cabinets - gives kitchen a homey country look. I had that same combo of the white appliances and hated it. If you can't afford to change out the appliances right now to stainless steel, then I would at least change out the cabinet hardware to something you like better than the black. If you think you will eventually go to SS appliances, then I would look at brushed nickel hardware as it compliments stainless steel nicely. I was not originally planning to change out my appliances all at once - was going to replace 1 or 2 at a time, but then I got a package deal at one of the local appliance stores, and next think I knew I had my dream appliances delivered and installed for a lot less than I thought.
Carol
on Jul 13, 2014
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Hi, Don't bother with the stainless steel appliances unless you love them. They will be out of style before you know it. The white appliances can always be matched, and will be around much longer than any of the styles that come and go. If you don't love the look of your wooden cabinets, paint them any color that suits you. I've painted and stenciled in several houses and decoupaged in others. Do whatever you love. Neutral houses are for selling; not living in with your family.
Alice Gatto
on Jul 14, 2014
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I think that white cabinets would look great. You could also modernize by re-doing the back splash with some new glass tiles to lighten things up.
Mimi Love
on Jul 14, 2014
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Hi Robin, think more contrasting colors. Too much white looses depth. I would rethink the cabinet design to have less doors andutilize the space more efficiently. Here are a few configurations to get your thoughts flowing. http://www.tobiasdesignllc.com/Portfolio/Kitchens.aspx. A lighter color stain on knotty pine may offer a nice country feel. So manyways to go with this kitchen. Good luck and looking to see the after pictures.
Tobias Design LLC
on Jul 21, 2014
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Had the same kitchen problem. I just primed the cabinets and painted them a blue gray they dried then put a sealer on them and new handles . The whole project cost me under 100$.
Rose
on Mar 16, 2015
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Wondering if you restained them a dark colour - would provide a nice contrast.
Marion Nesbitt
on Mar 17, 2015
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Here's my 2 cents...It will require more work, but I think it might work. 1st ~ I would replace the upper curved cabinet doors to match all the doors w/ straight lines. I would also add another glass door next to the fridge to balance out the room. You are replacing the door not the whole cabinet so it should cost far less. 2nd ~ I would stain the upper cabinets a few shades darker w/ a cherry/mahogany color to bring out the richness of the wood grain. 3rd ~ I would paint the lower cabinets white. 4th ~ You can paint the stove top vent white to bring the upper & lower cabinets together. You can also add 2 blue or green patina bronze accents to the inserts. You mentioned that the walls will stay the color they are, however I will just mention 2 gray colors that I think will work really well. Both colors are from Benjamin Moore...Stonington Grey, or Peppercorn. Both of these colors will make the upper cabinets pop off the walls. Neither color will clash w/ the back splash & floor. Something to check out & consider. If you still choose to go w/ the yellow/tan walls...Simple adjustment is to paint all of the cabinets white.
Kayo Frazier
on Mar 17, 2015
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how about painting the cabinets a dk grey almost black color
Rachel
on Jul 18, 2015
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only a comment...your honey oak cabinets are beautiful.
Bclaudio
on Jul 18, 2015
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From what I see in your style a great country barn red, using a curtain valance in a check of yellow .. the colors you have in the Roosters on top might be your guide, or black and buffalo check prints.. in canisters..
Sharon Gavala
on Sep 28, 2015
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Oh my friend, you're going to be sooooooo happy with your "new" kitchen. Why not pull out a soft gray tone that will work with your counter, backsplash, and flooring that will compliment your white appliances? No need to go all white. There are many shades of light beige/gray that will work wonderfully in your room. You have a beautiful room to begin with. Embrace the white appliances.....they don't show fingerprints. :)
Diana Deiley
on Nov 19, 2015
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Hi Robin What kind of style would you like in your kitchen? Do you want it more country looking, or modern, rustic, etc. What are you willing to change except for the appliances like you mentioned? If it was my kitchen, I would do all the cupboards in Anne Sloan Old White Chalk paint or French Linen and Old White combination, and when done apply a couple coats of Anne Sloan clear wax, and then just add a bit of dark wax here and there to bring the details out in the moldings of the cupboards. I would do the same treatment to the hood too. I would change all the hardware maybe to stainless. From your pics it is hard to see the color of the back splash. Also what color is your ceiling? If it is not white, I would paint it white or a very pale beige to brighten things up even more. Where you have glass cabinets, I would add inside lighting at the top and fill that cupboard wit colorful Turquoise and green dinnerware etc. You have alot of earth tone colors and it need a pop of color here and there, even colorful window treatments and colorful decorative items on tops of the cupboards. Wish I could see more pics. Hope it all works out in the end and makes you happy, that is what counts.
Kim Dagenais
on Nov 20, 2015
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Hi Robin! I was just looking through the research I have done re: white paint colors and what the designers seem to use again and again because their clients are so happy with the results. Apparently,Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace #OC-65 is a pure white that looks good with subway tiles and "white appliances" according to one designer on Pinterest. Unfortunately,I didn't didn't write down her name but she was a reputable one! So perhaps you could get a paint chip or a sample and see if that white would work for you! LOL! Just another thing to consider! Regards!
Sandra Hellewell
on Nov 24, 2015
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Paint your appliances black. Put black hardware on the cabinets. I thought I had to change my cabinets too, but these changes really brought my kitchen to life!
Candie goodno
on Dec 14, 2015
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Stain those cupboards slightly darker and give the oak some color
Merry Eaton
on Dec 15, 2015
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I've painted my oak cabinets off-white, and it gives a real spacious feeling to the area... We went with a Rustoleum cabinet painting kit, which had all the paint necessary, plus some 'glaze', which I would not recommend using - it made it difficult to make each door look similar to the other... I painted over the glaze since it just didn't work (for us!).
Linda Weeks
on Dec 15, 2015
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I would do your kitchen cabinets door inside and out,in Anne Sloan Old White Chalk Paint, and sealed with clear wax. As well as the surround around the doors, not inside the cupboards. I think the black handles would look great, and the back splash and wall paint will show up more. It will also help blend in the white appliances. I have Stainless Steel, and when they are spotless they look great, but it is alot of constantly wiping fingerprints off on a daily basis,
Kim Dagenais
on Dec 16, 2015
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My kitchen layout is similar to yours! Personally, I'm a wood lover in most cases. We redid our kitchen about 5 yrs., ago. I did a combo of wood and painted cabs., and like you some glass. You might want to consider the same with yours in an antique white?.I used cream but, in your case the antique white. It breaks things up a bit and IMHO it is unique and elegant. One little thing about stainless steel. I regret getting it. We covered our dishwasher and I so wish we had done the refrigerator too! I find stainless very difficult to keep that polished look. Especially our faucet. For some reason, no matter what I've used, I can't get that thing to shine! I have seen textured stainless out now. Wish they had it when we did our kitchen! Here are a few pics of my kitchen cabs. Please excuse the bit of disorganized counters. It's the week before Christmas!
JMT
on Dec 16, 2015
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Agree with candie goodno. White appliances are too stark. Am curren-tlydoing some things in my kitchen - have same coloured cabs and black and almond appliances. Much to my chagrin, almond hasn't been available for about 2 decades! Fridge needs to go so am getting black.
Marion Nesbitt
on Dec 23, 2015
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