Oak Kitchen
by
Llama
+20
I would just like to hear from the readers out there as to why oak cabinets are so disliked now. I find it so hard to understand how anyone can paint good hardwood. I'm getting ready to remodel a kitchen ( somewhat) and trying to get fresh ideas. Maybe this us just a generational preference? If you don't mind, please post your general age with your response. I'm 60 and my husband is 66. We appreciate the feedback from all ages! Thanks!
19 answers
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I know just what you mean about painting over wood. This just wasn't done in my time. However its certainly true that oak cabinets are out of fashion. Many homes having these cupboards were built in the 70's & 80's, using contractor grade oak which has just gotten worn looking as it aged. Folks want the newer, fresher colours in their homes and as the new paint products are marvelous now, so easy to accomplish a lighter look. I have also seen oak cupboards sanded down and stained, which looked nice also.
Carol
on Jan 07, 2015
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As a retired Realtor, I can tell you that, in my 30+ yr career, my customers were pretty much 50/50; some wanted white cabinets, others wanted natural wood. Some liked black granite (or Silestone, etc.) kitchen counters, and some hated the black. This Spring, when builders and Realtors have their Open House tours, go look at some of the kitchens. I think you'll find that the high-end more upscale homes have mouth-watering natural wood cabinets. Painting vs not painting (cabinets, paneling, etc.): do paint cheap wood, don't paint better wood.
Lindy Hall
on Jan 07, 2015
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I agree about painting over nice wood! To me, this is horrible!! I'm 64. I can't really give fresh ideas-as I love wood! I like some of the newer look kitchens to look at-but not to live with. I want rooms to look comfy and welcoming. I want rooms that people just want to say "oh, I just want to sit down and relax for awhile"! I just added on a new kitchen to my house and used oak cabinets (called Briar wood-kind of a medium oak with a hint of red) -everyone loves them and says it feels so "homey"-mission accomplished! I say go with what makes you feel good-you're the one living in it! Just wanted to add that I don't think it's all age-my son is 23 and loves his oak cabinets.
Jean Vercler
on Jan 07, 2015
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I have high quality oak cabinets and personally would not consider painting them. I know decorators who say they are out of style, or white is timeless. After 68 years, I don't think anything in the decorating world is timeless!
Peggygordon
on Jan 07, 2015
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I have close to 40 oak cabinets in my kitchen. High quality. Thick. They are honey in color and I would not trade them for anything. My profession is restoring and refinishing antiques. The value of high quality wood, whether furniture, cabinets... want ever is all ways more in its natural state
Susan M
on Jan 07, 2015
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The only thing good about painting wood cabinets or furniture is that it preserves the wood better than waxing which many people don't seem to do anymore. I love good oak.
Maggie C
on Jan 07, 2015
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Finally a thread that champions oak cabinets! My house was built in the mid 90's with builder-grade white cabinets throughout. When I had to have my kitchen and laundry room re-done 10 years later due to a broken water pipe, I had custom built oak cabinets installed with a honey-oak finish, and I love them. They go well with my new dark brown granite countertops and SS appliances, and provide a nice contrast to the sea of white walls in the kitchen and the rest of the house (which I also love, by the way)! To each his own, but I will take oak over white any day of the week! BTW, I don't mind sharing, I am 66 years young!
Carol
on Jan 07, 2015
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Very often people paint over wood (or brick) to hide flaws or mismatched/unmatchable repairs... When selling homes, I am always suspicious of painted wood or brick, because I immediately wonder if they were hiding something. Sometimes it is just a design choice, and hey, that's okay, too. When people want a ultra-modern-look or the all-white look, sure, by all means paint over it, it's yours.... do what YOU like...
Lindy Hall
on Jan 07, 2015
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I think that the stain color is just as important as the wood choice. I'm not a fan of golden oak but I also dislike cabinets that are very dark. I painted my oak cabinets because, although the doors were solid wood, the boxes were covered with wood grain veneer that had started to bubble and discolor. We installed a kitchen for my sister a few years ago and she specifically ordered oak cabinets and loves them still. I think that the tide is starting to swing back in favor of oak, just not the 90s golden oak.
MaryStLouis
on Jan 07, 2015
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I'm 53, and I agree that color has a lot to do with this. Golden oak is just not "in" right now. A deep red oak still works with a Craftsman style decor, and a "bare" look with a clear, white finish instead of amber can look very contemporary. But don't forget about door style. Very traditional panelled doors combined with a golden finish just look like what younger homeowners grew up with, so they don't value it. I think the same applies to hardware.
Rebecca
on Jan 07, 2015
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Nice wood cupboards are great but so many go orange over time. That's why I'm painting.
Lori
on Jan 07, 2015
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As my mama used to tell me when I was growing up (& I wouldn't appreciate or understand it until I was much older), give it enough time & everything eventually comes back in style. I say if you like the look of beautiful real oak cabinets, keep 'em! :)
Lynne H
on Jan 07, 2015
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I think that wood stained look great and that it is a bit more difficult to choose a paint color to compliment its honey /orange tones than if you had white cabinets.Finding a color swatch to match the cabinet then carry it to the paint store for wall color selection.Always take home the paint chips because it is amazing how they change in the home lighting.
Rebecca Carfrae
on Jan 08, 2015
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Am 72 and have darker than honey oak cabs. They are high-end that were deep discounted due to a flaw. What the flaws were I don't know. Love the warmth of real wood and the grains. As stated :above - If cheap, paint. If not, don't. Don't let trends guide you. Find it disturbing when people slap Annie Sloan or chalk paint over beautiful furniture with burled walnut or such.
Marion Nesbitt
on Jan 08, 2015
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It's a generational thing, I believe. Like most of you, I can't comprehend painting wood, though I sometimes look at my pieces and imagine how they'd look painted. That's an artist's viewpoint, I like to think. Still, I've stripped too many pieces of furniture to paint any myself. But 10 years we bought a new home and, even though oak was in disfavor, our builder used the most gorgeous 42" white oak cabinets. Sometimes I think that if we were to sell this house, as we most likely will in the not-too-distant future, the new owners very well may paint them. But, as Lynne H. mentioned, everything out of fashion will be fashionable once again, given time. As to whether you should paint your cabinets, that's your choice. Your home should be a reflection of your taste, no one else's. Good luck.
Nancy Gramm
on Jan 08, 2015
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It seems that with every decade a new style or color preference comes out. I think people probably don't want the same thing they grew up with. I do not like painted wood (just turned 55!) but my grandmother painted EVERYthing!! Her kitchen was whitewhitewhite with accent trims (when the mood struck her, I remember reds, gold, green, yellow...) My mother liked DARK wood, and I like a nice warm oak in my kitchen. I have a brown oak in one kitchen and golden oak in another. Love them both. As a woodworker, the rule of thumb has always been to stain "good" quality hardwoods, and to paint pines and low quality woods. However, it seems that it is anything goes anymore.
Bonnie
on Jan 08, 2015
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I have custom built honey oak cabinets from 1991. They are sturdy and I like the layout of our kitchen. About 3 years ago we gave the kitchen an update. We got new appliances, counter top, sink and faucet, and cabinet hardware. I kept the cabinets the same. But they look different with the new paint color and backsplash. I think the biggest impact was painting my wood baseboards and windows a warm white and changing from a tan wall color to a lighter greenish gray color. My cabinets are no longer a sea of honey but stand out more as an accent. I also painted the base of my kitchen table and the chair backs. I also hung drapery panels ( with some pattern) on my windows with decorative black rods. I just love it and my friends can't believe the difference. I have the same cabinets in my laundry area and am considering playing around with a dark wax rubbed on since they are raised panel - but I have not done that yet. I am 53 and the older I get I seem to want things brighter and more lively or just more contrast.
Tracy
on Jan 10, 2015
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I'm 73, and I LOVE,PAINTED CABINETS!!! and painted wood furniture. If it's a valuable antique ( over 100 yrs old) don't paint,but anything else is open season in my home. Color me beautiful.
Bev
on Mar 09, 2015
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I just turned 68 and like Bev above, I love fresh and clean also. Antiques, no, don't do it. Hurts the value plus the beauty unless it is so destroyed paint is the only option. We redid our kitchen (was already painted when we purchased it) and went with shaker style, gorgeous pewter handles and gray paint. Love it! You can see ours if you take a look. Good luck!
169756
on Mar 10, 2015
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