Asked on Feb 02, 2015

Mistake to paint nice quality cabinets?

Merri
by Merri
We bought our 1940's house 3 years ago and while the kitchen is nice, it's never been my style. I would estimate it was updated 12-15 years ago and nice quality, stained Thomasville cabinets were put in. I've included a pic from when the previous owners lived there - we've taken out a wall to open up the kitchen, but it will give you an idea about the color/style of the cabinets.
I love white cabinets and have dreamed of painting mine to match my cottage style, but am hesitant because they're nice, not just builder grade. Do you think it would be a mistake or should I just go for it? I should add that this is probably not our forever home. I think we will live there for another 5 years, maybe a little longer, so I'm definitely thinking resale too. I'm wondering if painting the cabinets would devalue them or maybe the fresh new look would only increase the value? Thanks so much for your help and have a blessed day! :)
  22 answers
  • Tracey Childerhose Tracey Childerhose on Feb 02, 2015
    I love white cabinets. I think that there maybe too much wood with the cabinets and the floor being similar tones. It would brighten up the room. I would see about getting them professional painted. I.E. Spray painted. My brother had an auto shop do this for his front door and looks amazing.
  • Doyle Tami Harmon Doyle Tami Harmon on Feb 02, 2015
    I have lived in several homes that we have remodeled with re-sale value in mind. When we moved into our current home I decided to make it mine. I have never been happier! I say this to encourage you to trust your instincts. If white cabinets are what you love, then paint the cabinets! They will be fresh and you will be happy looking at them. I do advise that you do your homework and be very aware that this is no small task and you will need a couple of uninterrupted days to complete the project. I would love to see the results of your decision. Have fun and enjoy your home!!!!!
  • Paula Paula on Feb 02, 2015
    I think you would be very happy with the out come if you painted. The wood is very "boring" it does not give the room any wow appeal! I painted my cabinets in my first home. after seeing the kitchen in a picture I realized how boring and unappealing it looked. I never regretted it!
  • Stacy | BlakeHillHouse Stacy | BlakeHillHouse on Feb 02, 2015
    Five years is a long time for current home trends. I imagine this painting trend might pass by then, and that will be the time you are selling. I love painted cabinets, BUT those are really nice. I think I might try switching out the door pulls and knobs before painting.
  • Trudy Hibler Trudy Hibler on Feb 02, 2015
    They're nice cabinets, but dated. I would either restain them a lighter color or paint, and my instinct says paint. They'll still be nice Thomasville cabinets, just something you can live with for the next few years and something that will likely be attractive to a new owner in the future. Change out the hardware at the same time (D. Lawless has some great options at an affordable price.)
  • Ml Kramer Ml Kramer on Feb 02, 2015
    25 years ago we bought a house with a tiny kitchen all new oak cabinets... always wanted to paint and listened to every one else who said oh no don't paint... have hated this kitchen for 25 years do what makes you pleased to walk in to every morning
    • Justfixit Justfixit on Feb 02, 2015
      @Ml Kramer I agree with you. Unless Merri knows she's moving in a year, I would paint them! Make yourself happy. :)
  • Ddunn Ddunn on Feb 02, 2015
    How about a whitewash?
  • Lesley Lesley on Feb 02, 2015
    Paint them. If they are nice quality wood underneath the next owners could always strip them back if they wanted the wood look back. It is an idea to spray paint them, you get a much smoother finish. But then, you might be looking for the 'rustic' look that brush strokes can give.
  • Kimberley N Kimberley N on Feb 02, 2015
    Everything is very monochromatic in your room. I would first consider a few other options before painting the cabinets and mind you- I love white cabinets. Between the wood floors and wood cabinets- you have a wonderful base to work with. Choose a sizeable area rug for the kitchen like a 4 x 6 with a variety of colors. I am partial to blues so one with blues/whites and beige would work really well in your space. The white in the rug would pick up off your current appliances and backsplash, beige keeps within the granite and finally the blue adds the wow factor the room so needs. Here is a rug from Ballard Designs called the Sevilla Rug. Yes- pricey but just trying to give you ideas. http://www.ballarddesigns.com/sevilla-rug/rugs-drapery/rugs/all/42756 From there, I would select one of the blues as a wall color. Make sure the color has some punch- if too light- it won't have any impact. Add some additional overhead recessed lighting. Change the cabinet pulls to chrome or nickel and finally- add some blue accessories. Best of luck!
  • Judy Judy on Feb 02, 2015
    It looks like someone has already refinished some of them since one set is dark wood & the other is light. You might want to have them refinished all with the same stain color. Another thing you could do is to simply replace the cupboard doors with ones made of good plywood, painted to suit your tastes, leaving the original framing in place & storing the original doors in a dry place until it's time to sell.
  • Merri Merri on Feb 02, 2015
    Thank you all for your responses! I should've mentioned that we've upgraded the stove to stainless steel and all of the cabinets are the same color, must be the lighting in the pic that makes them look different. If I paint, I'm thinking about using chalk paint. We'll see if I can find the time and guts to do it! ;) Thanks again for your input!
  • Nikki Wills Nikki Wills on Feb 02, 2015
    It looks like the wood is a nice tight grain--maple? If it were open grain, like oak, I don't think I'd paint. (You'd see the grain of the wood through the paint.) But if it's a tight grain wood, painting the cabinets can look absolutely spectacular.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Feb 03, 2015
    Outdated??? My daughter is planning to redo her kitchen and I see this style all the time. The wood looks like ash to me. I wouldn't paint them. If you need a change, then think about replacing the hardware/changing the colour of your walls/adding colourful accessories.
  • Cyndie S Cyndie S on Feb 03, 2015
    These cabinets are NOT dated. They're a classic shaker style. Change the handles, paint the walls and add your style with accessories. They don't appear to be dated like the 80's oak builders cabinets, which even painted still look like builders cabinets to me. Put white poster board over the doors for a bit and see how you like it. However, I think your issue really is the walls and decor, not the cabinets.
  • Tracy Tracy on Feb 03, 2015
    I say paint them! I painted my cupboards after finally convincing my hubby that it would brighten up the house and they look amazing. The kitchen looks bigger and so much brighter! If the paint job is good, I'm sure you'll love yours too!
  • Shari Shari on Feb 03, 2015
    The different wood tones wax and wane in popularity every few years but white kitchens are classic and never really go out of style. I would not hesitate to paint them white if that is more your style. However, with that being said, I would caution you about how you paint them. If you are thinking you could potentially be putting your house on the market in a few years, I would paint with longevity and durability in mind, meaning take the time to do proper prep and choose the very best paint formulated for kitchen cabinets rather than going with a cheap latex that is likely to chip or peel, or something like chalk paint that may, or may not, still look good a few years from now. I also would advise you to think carefully about "distressing" and glaze. That look is super trendy now (as it was in the 70s) but it might not be so popular when you are ready to sell. If you want to distress and/or glaze, use a light hand. Not everybody likes that look and it is far too easy to go overboard and end up with cabinets that just look old, abused and grungy. Less is more. If the next buyer wanted more distressing and glaze, it could always be easily added but if someone doesn't like that look, it can't be undone without a whole new paint job. It seems these days many potential home buyers want homes that are "move in ready"; they don't even want to bother painting walls so if the kitchen cabinets were in need of a new paint job when you want to sell, that's an even bigger job than painting walls and it could potentially turn off prospective buyers. Personally, I hate chalk paint and the distressed and glazed look so, depending on what features the rest of the house did, or didn't have, and how much other work needed to be done, chalk painted kitchen cabinets could be a deal breaker for me. Nevertheless, the bottom line is whether you leave the cabinets as they are now, or paint them white, I believe you will never please 100% of prospective buyers. For all you know, the next owners might want to gut the whole kitchen and completely change the footprint! YOU are living in the home now and you should do what makes YOU happy.
  • Those cabinets look really nice- but it's your house and ultimately you should have it look how you want it. I might recommend you paint only the uppers first (2 tone is in now too!), then live with that and if you love it, keep going. :)
  • Rhonda D Rhonda D on Jul 28, 2015
    Add some crown molding to the top, they will really dress up those beautiful cabinets!
  • Andrea S Andrea S on Oct 04, 2015
    If you want to sell in 5 years, I would hold on with painting it. Colours and styles change so fast, what you paint on it today might be outdated in 5 years. If you want to paint then instead of now, it will be the most current then. Paint also wears off with use and in 5 years you might end up having to paint again. I think your cabinets look nice, not worn at all, well taken care of. You could update with new handles, and add some colourful accents on the countertop or walls, and change the mat and dish cloth to decorate. It might be a faster change and a smaller expense. My cabinets are not builder quality either but starting to show wear. It is almost time to paint or stain to renew them, we are not ready financially to replace them. We might just stain to keep the wood look, even though I like painted wood better. It might not be that good for resale if we paint. Lots to think about. I hope you find what works for your situation.
  • WorkerBee WorkerBee on Jan 23, 2016
    They are good cabinets with full overlay doors and an attached light rail at the bottom. These features are usually overlooked when buying cabinets on a budget. The style doesn't require crown molding however, if you go for it use a flat or cove molding. If I would do anything, I would get a good carpenter to do the crown molding and update the handles. That would do a lot for resale.
  • Sandra Staton Sandra Staton on Jan 23, 2016
    I love rustic and your cabinets are beautiful. But I like shabby chic, vintage and cottage charm as well. So, that being said, I can envision your cabinets looking just as beautiful in white. One thing about good quality wood, you can always restore it back to it's original state. You really can't lose by painting them. White will be beautiful. I hope you share with us if you decide to paint them.
  • Leslie Leslie on Jan 29, 2016
    If you are hesitant about painting them then consider updating your backsplash. I think it would do wonders for your kitchen.