Furnishing a Room

If you are getting ready to or are in the middle of remodeling your kitchen, you may have come to the point in the process where you need to make decisions about your kitchen cabinets, such as the material and finish of the doors. If you have already decided that you want to have wooden cabinets, you may now be trying to decide whether you want the designer to paint or stain them.

While the application process is similar, the design effects and style of staining and painting are quite different. When trying to decide on whether to stain or paint your custom kitchen cabinets, you should consider these differences and how they fit into your kitchen's overall design.

Monotonal, One-dimensional Appearance of Paint Works Well Against Textured Backsplashes and Stone Countertops

If your kitchen will already have plenty of multidimensional elements, such as textured backsplashes and stone countertops, you may want to go with the monotonal, one-dimensional appearance of paint. The flat, simple design of the painted surfaces of the cabinet doors offers a contrast to the textures while allowing you to pull colors from the other designs to place on the cabinet doors.

When it comes to cleaning, using high-gloss paint that is water-resistant will make it easier for you to scrub the cabinet clean. However, if the paint becomes chipped, it is a little harder to patch and cover up without being noticeable. 

Rich, Multidimensional Appearance of Stained Wood Works Well with Dark-colored Appliances and White Country Accents

If you plan to have dark-colored appliances and white country accents, consider going with the rich, multidimensional appearance of stained wood. Even if you opt for a cheaper wood for the cabinets such as pine, you can still have the deep-colored richness of mahogany or cherry wood by using a stain.

Alone, stained wood can be harder to keep clean than paint unless you have the designer apply a hard topcoat. Even if the topcoat becomes chipped, it is easier to fix by filling it in with a small amount and blending it.

When deciding on whether you should have your new cabinets painted or stained, look at the other design elements and appliances to decide whether you wish to complement them or provide contrast. You should also consider the amount of upkeep and maintenance, such as paint being easier to scrub clean while stain is simpler to touch up. If you are still undecided, speak with a custom kitchen cabinet designer who can discuss your options and show you samples to help you with making a choice.