Stained Wood vs. Painted Cabinets - Which One is Right for Your Home?

August 25, 2022

If you’re redoing your kitchen cabinets, you can choose to have them refinished and stained or painted. Each option has its inherent benefits, and learning more about everything from the way they look to their durability can help you make the best choice for your home and your style preferences. If you’re redoing your kitchen cabinets, you can choose to have them refinished and stained or painted. Each option has its inherent benefits, and learning more about everything from the way they look to their durability can help you make the best choice for your home and your style preferences.

What Aesthetic Do You Like Best?

The biggest difference between stained and painted cabinets is the aesthetic, which is the way the finished product looks. If you prefer a darker finish that shows off more of the texture and grain of the wood, staining is your best bet. On the other hand, if you prefer lighter colors, or if you want a smooth, modern finish, you will want to have your cabinets professionally painted instead of stained. In almost every scenario, painting gives you more options and provides a more luxurious look than staining. .

What’s Your Budget?

Though every project is unique, it tends to cost slightly more to paint your cabinets than to stain them. Depending on the number of cabinets and their condition, you will pay anywhere from 5% to 15% more for painting than for staining. When you have your cabinets stained, you really only need to buy the stain itself as far as materials go. For cabinet painting, on the other hand, you will need to buy primer and enough paint for at least two coats. In terms of labor, staining is generally simpler and faster, which can also affect your overall cost. Remember that each project is unique, so make sure to contact us for a quote.

Is Durability A Concern?

In terms of durability, staining your cabinets is the better option - especially if there are children in your home who are hard on your cabinets. It’s very easy to find the right stain for touch-ups down the road, and touchups don’t leave brush marks behind. Paint is more likely to chip, scratch, or scuff due to its very nature. Professional painters use scuff- and scratch-resistant products, but they are not completely foolproof. You can touch up your paint, but it can sometimes be difficult to match the color, and in some cases, the touched-up areas are fairly obvious.

Which Appliance Finish Did You Choose?

Finally, when it comes to deciding whether you should have your cabinets stained or painted, it can help to think about the finish of your appliances. For example, if you have stainless steel appliances in your home, or if you are planning to invest in them, both stain and paint are fantastic options. If you want white kitchen appliances, it’s best to also paint your cabinets white. For colored appliances, paint is also the better choice because it gives you more freedom and flexibility in the overall look of your kitchen.

Both staining and painting are fantastic for refreshing the look of your kitchen, but there are a few differences to consider in terms of durability, budgeting, your appliances, and even aesthetics. If you are struggling to decide how to refresh your cabinets, we can help! We have years of experience, and we can help you choose colors and themes as part of your project.

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