If you have a more rustic or industrial style, oak might look better on your cabinets instead of white. Other styles, such as farmhouse or mid-century modern, can pull off either white or oak, so it just comes down to personal preference. Many farmhouse kitchen colors work with oak cabinets.
If you have a large amount of counter top surface area, wood could detract from the striking appeal of painting oak cabinets white. For kitchens with more moderate counter space though, it's a traditional look that will always have you feeling at home.
Minimize the Grain
If you have maple or cherry cabinets, they paint up beautifully. Oak can have a similar result, it just takes a little more effort to get there. The wood grain can manifest itself in two ways: through the texture of the wood and also the grain bleeding through the paint.
The Cons Of Painting Kitchen Cabinets
While cheaper than replacing, painting kitchen cabinets is more expensive than staining. Plus, painting doesn't work if the cabinets have damages. They'll either stand out more or make the paint crack more quickly. Painting is also not very DIY-friendly.
“But beware: Not every white is created equal.” Macuga suggests opting for shades that have warmer undertones, such as Benjamin Moore's Simply White (OC-117) and Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster (SW 7008). Van Zee is also a proponent of using white alongside oak cabinetry.
But they're long from outdated. In more recent years, more modern and contemporary designs have popped up all over the world with new ways to use oak cabinets.
Nowadays oak cabinets are making a comeback in the kitchen. In some cases, homeowners are refacing their old honey oak cabinets to give them fresh new life. They're replacing dated cabinet doors with new Shaker style cabinet doors.
Use a quality latex paint that's specifically formulated for kitchen cabinetry. These paints will dry extra hard, which keeps doors from feeling sticky against the cabinet and allows for regular cleaning. Brushing paint on is OK. But for the smoothest finish, you'll want to spray on paint.
Cabinets are one of the first things buyers will notice about your kitchen. If your cabinets aren't in tiptop shape, a new paint might be the best and most economical way to give them a modern makeover since new cabinets can easily cost more than $10,000.
Painting oak trim white brightens a room and requires no additional technique or tool than painting over any other trim. The decision of whether or not you should paint over your oak trim should be based on what you like and your personal style. So unless you plan to resell your home soon, you shouldn't hesitate.
In most situations, when you paint your oak cabinets, you will see some of the physical texture of the grain when you look at the doors closely and at angles. However, when you stand in your kitchen and look at the room, the only thing you're usually going to notice is the new, lighter, cleaner, updated cabinets!
Wood cabinets are back in a big way in 2023, continuing the trend we've been seeing over the past couple of years. These aren't your honey oak cabinets from the 1980's…
One outdated trend that many of us are all too familiar with is golden oak. In the '80s and '90s, this honey-toned wood finish was all the rage, and people put it evvverywhere. Flooring, railings, doors, trim, baseboards, cabinets… you name it.
The quick answer is that, no, they are not going out of style. In fact, cabinets painted white is still considered one of the timeless styles inside the kitchen. The problem with other colors is that you run the risk that the color your cabinets are painted in usually becomes less popular over time.
Pair Oak Cabinets with Light Tones
Use white or light-colored walls, flooring, and countertops to brighten a space. Shiny surfaces, including glass tile and stainless-steel appliances, can also reflect light and give the room a visual lift.
Arguably, the most timeless kitchen cabinet color is white. Bright white cabinets suit a variety of beautiful kitchens, including modern, contemporary, and farmhouse styles. Brilliant whites work to give kitchens a light and airy feel, and off-white options, like the White Dove shade, provides warmth.
If you take good care of your newly painted kitchen cabinets and have them professionally painted, you can expect them to last between 8 and 10 years. Although new cabinets will last much longer, they will also cost you several thousand dollars more, which may not be necessary for certain circumstances.
Most real estate agents will tell sellers that neutral colors will appeal to the widest audience. While white is a very popular color for kitchen cabinets, other neutrals like gray, black, and beige are also good. Stained wood cabinets have an appeal, especially if they are of high quality.
Satin and eggshell paint finishes work well for kitchen walls, while semi-gloss proves best for kitchen cabinets.