Asked on Dec 27, 2015

Help! Does the bottom just need to be painted?

Amy
by Amy
When I am sitting at the kitchen bar having your morning coffee, this is what I see! YUCK! Advice please!!
The unfinished bottom of my builder grade kitchen cabinets :(
  26 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 27, 2015
    Depending on the material the cabinets you may be able to purchase a stain to cover this up. If you have a piece of scrap from the cabinets a color match could be done for you at Home Depot.
  • Mary-Ann Mary-Ann on Dec 27, 2015
    Yes, stain it if possible depending on the cabinet material. Otherwise, you could paint it black. The best solution is to add a light valance to the front of the cabinets and hopefully lights behind it.
  • Snapoutofit Snapoutofit on Dec 27, 2015
    agree. stain it.
  • Sandra Sandra on Dec 27, 2015
    You could buy veneer and put it under them. Pretty easy fix.
  • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Dec 27, 2015
    You could paint it any color that coordinates with your kitchen or black or stain is also a good idea. I like color so yeah I would do something.
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Dec 27, 2015
    I gel-stained the side of a cabinet with a colour-match. I should have put veneer 1st, since I was trying to match a grain, where there was none. In your case, it looks more straightforward, and you should be able to purchase a tiny can, and just rub it on quite quicky.
  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Dec 27, 2015
    If lighting is limited, paint it white to reflect light and brighten the area! Good question by the way.
    • See 1 previous
    • Fredda Fredda on Dec 27, 2015
      Use safety electrical covers.
  • Theresa Theresa on Dec 28, 2015
    Put light rail to finish the cupboard
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Dec 28, 2015
    Would either paint it the same colour as your backsplash or stain it.
  • Wendy Wendy on Dec 28, 2015
    maybe a patterned contact paper or wallpaper with neat print, remove later if you want
  • Lori Lukes Kelly Lori Lukes Kelly on Dec 28, 2015
    If the back splash is painted (I cant tell), paint it the same color
  • Lisa B. Lisa B. on Dec 28, 2015
    I agree. Gel stain. Take a cabinet door with you to the paint store as well as a photo of the unfinished wood to get a good match. Test in on an inconspicuous spot.
  • Leahannh Leahannh on Dec 28, 2015
    I put contact paper and hooks for mugs etc - all at the dollar store! Had to pre drill holes for the hooks
  • Patty S Patty S on Dec 28, 2015
    Definitely the gel stain.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Dec 28, 2015
    Wood stain will make it dark and like it is 'underneath' . Contact or wall paper will make it look cheap. Paint, bright white or cream to match the tile and/or counter. in a high shiny gloss. It will help bounce light and brighten the space. I also think the idea of a couple nice things hanging from a hook or two might make you happier, but be careful not to keep drawing your eye to the spot. .
  • Ltt834476 Ltt834476 on Dec 28, 2015
    Just stain it the same color. It will look a lot better.
    • Mary McNeill Mary McNeill on Dec 28, 2015
      @Lttamayo I agree - you'd want to keep it simple looking. Kitchens can easily become too busy looking.
  • Marie Marie on Dec 28, 2015
    Jazz it up with something if you're only seeing it when you sit there, not worth the money or trouble of staining etc, mod podge it with something cheery, look for some ideas on this site or Pinterest etc. look for sheet metal on sale and spray paint, you get the idea!
  • Tammy Sea Tammy Sea on Dec 28, 2015
    I would avoid contact paper. The glue gives out after a while and then you'd be left with saggy cabinet bottoms. I think just adding a skirt to the bottom would be your best bet. Hide the underside and enhance the cabinets at the same time.
  • Amy Amy on Dec 28, 2015
    We are planning to paint and add molding. Thanks to everyone!!
    • Mickey Baron Mickey Baron on Dec 29, 2015
      @Amy Isn't it funny the "little things" that drive us batty till we find a solution? lol
  • Sheila D Sheila D on Dec 28, 2015
    Stain and / or add some wide decorative molding
  • UpState UpState on Dec 28, 2015
    Simply stain it the same color.
  • LIDuck LIDuck on Dec 29, 2015
    I vote you stain it the same color. Bring a door to a good paint shop for help in matching the color as closely as possible. Use painter's tape around the edge of the already stained cabinet and along your painted wall. Your cabinets are a medium tone, sand your new wood lightly, wipe off sanding dust, use a pre-stain prep to encourage the absorption, wipe stain in the direction of the grain, match the saturation/darkness of the new area to the old. Wipe off excess with a clean cloth and let dry. If the day comes that you replace your cabinets, make sure you are buying a product which a finished on all sides. Good luck with your project.
  • Louis Lieberman Louis Lieberman on Dec 29, 2015
    stain it the same colour as the cabinets
  • Leahannh Leahannh on Jan 13, 2016
    do anything here yet? :)
  • Amy Amy on Jan 13, 2016
    Painted the bottom to match the cabinets! I will post a picture after we complete the backsplash and hang the under the counter paper towel holder! Love this site!
  • Amy Amy on Jan 24, 2016
    Thank you so much for all the help. My amazing husband did the backsplash and our sweet son painted all the bottoms during his school break.