Stained Or Painted Cabinets: Which Is Right For Your Kitchen?
Stained or painted cabinets - it’s the biggest debate involving kitchen upgrades. How will it look? How much does each option cost?
But there’s more to choosing between painting and staining your cabinets than how it looks. Keep reading to learn which one is right for your kitchen!
Staining Vs. Painting Cabinets: What’s Better?
The four main considerations for anything to do with cabinet treatments are style, cost, durability, and time.
Appearance
Appearance is what matters most when it comes to comparing stained and painted cabinets. Stained cabinets lean on the more natural or traditional side because they show the wood’s grain. Paint totally covers the color and texture of the underlying wood, giving a much cleaner and more modern aesthetic.
When it comes to color options, you may be surprised to learn that there are numerous stain color choices, from natural to something more opaque, like white or even green. However, paint remains number one since you can get any color on the spectrum.
Cost
Staining your cabinets is the more affordable option. Professionally stained cabinets cost around $1800-4500 while having them painted can cost upwards of $5000.
Even if you do it yourself, cabinet paint costs more per gallon than a staining treatment. The average cost for a gallon of stain is $40-100, while paint can cost $50-100. Plus, depending on how many coats you apply, you’ll need half as much stain as you would paint.
Durability
Painted cabinets typically last 5-10 years, given the amount of moisture or any damage they may be exposed to. However, stained cabinets can last up to 30 years. Plus, stained cabinets won’t show as many signs of wear and tear as painted cabinets and are easier to clean and maintain.
The Process
Another factor you should consider is the time it takes to paint vs. stain your cabinets. Again, staining takes the win here. The painting process requires significant wood preparations like sanding and primer to create the perfect base for the paint, whereas stains don’t require any of that since the woodgrain is still present, and there is no need for primer. Plus, cabinet stains only require one coat, while a good paint job requires at least two.
What Looks Better: Stained Or Painted Cabinets?
Really, this decision is down to two things: your personal preference and your kitchen’s style. Modern kitchens typically look better with painted cabinets, while traditional and rustic styles are better complemented by stained cabinets or even a mix of both.
Can You Combine Painted And Stained Cabinets?
With the right paint and stain color combination, stained and painted cabinets are a great combination, especially in transitional-style kitchens. Doing this is also a great way to wade into the two-toned cabinet trend.
Are Stained Or Painted Cabinets Better For Home Resale Value?
When it comes to selling your home, choosing neutral, toned-down colors is always your best bet. So, staining your kitchen cabinets for presale purposes is a great idea. However, nothing beats that clean, white look in the eyes of home buyers.
What Are The Best Cabinet Stain Colors?
Here are the best cabinet stain colors right now:
White
Muted Green
Warm Gray
Mahogany Red
Walnut Brown
What Are The Best Cabinet Paint Colors?
Here are the best cabinet colors of the year:
Cool White
Denim Blue
Charcoal Black
Sage Green
Dark Gray
Stained Or Painted Cabinets Refinished To Mint Condition
Are your cabinets in need of a new life? Get them refinished with the help of Mint Cabinet Refinishing. Not only do we carry a long list of paint and stain color choices, but our 9-Step Process can even help your cabinets last longer.
Don’t guess your way through this process. Let the pros help you! Contact us today to learn more.
