Painted cabinets are typically 15% more expensive than stained cabinets, so there is an upcharge for the clean, sleek look of paint. Making the choice between painted and stained cabinets does not have to be difficult if you know your preferences and the look you want to create.
Staining is more affordable than painting as a general rule. However, depending on the type of material you select, staining could be more expensive. If you make your decision based solely on budget, then you may find stained cabinets to be the better choice.
You'll also need to consider the cost of application by a local professional. Painting requires more care and extra coats to achieve a smooth finish, resulting in a slightly higher cost than staining. Your total labor costs will depend on how many cabinets you have.
If you're in search of a clean, modern look, paint your cabinets. Painted cabinets appear very smooth, hiding the grain of the wood. If you prefer a more natural, classic look, you should stain your cabinets. Staining your cabinets highlights the natural grain of the wood and offers a more traditional aesthetic.
Although not as popular, stained cabinets have not become extinct. Stained cabinets are not outdated. They very much still have a place in modern kitchen designs. While not the most popular, the stained cabinets have taken on different tones and remained relevant in designs such as the transitional kitchen trend.
First, let's talk about white kitchen cabinets … these aren't going anywhere in 2022. A white kitchen is classic and never goes 'out of style'. It may not always be the current trend, but white kitchen cabinets are always beautiful. We'll also continue to see the two-tone cabinet color trend in 2022.
Well, it should be no surprise… the classic white cabinet will still be the #1 cabinet color for kitchens in 2022 and beyond. White is crisp and clean, will brighten any kitchen, and will most likely never go out of style.
Prices to stain your cabinets typically range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on how many cabinets you have and their material, but can go up from there based on many different factors.
Painting coats the top of wood while stain penetrates the wood. Stain protects and preserves the beauty of your wood compared to paint which covers and hides it. Stain wears away gradually for periodic re-coating. Paint peeling requires extensive scraping.
Stains are less expensive.
While the hardwood cabinets associated with staining tend to be more expensive at the outset than their MDF counterparts, the stains themselves are surprisingly affordable. What's more, full replacements are less likely over time, as stains are easier to replicate than many paint colors.
Even though there are some drawbacks to white kitchen cabinets, they will never “go out of style.” The shapes of the doors or the layout of the kitchen may go out of style, but white in a kitchen will always look good.
On average, this trend alone can boost a home's value by $1,547. By painting your kitchen cabinets and then pairing them with some new hardware that dollar amount can increase significantly.
Cabinet refinishing is one of the easier DIY projects, all you will need are some supplies, power tools, and adequate space to work on the cabinets. You won't even have to strip down the old finish from your cabinet doors unless you are looking to make a drastic color change.
WHITE KITCHEN CABINETS
Thermofoil, laminate and melamine treatments all adhere well to MDF and are cheaper than wood. You're guaranteed a shiny white finish at a fraction of the price.
Natural materials, like wood and stone, are always in style. Have your contractor install maple, birch, or cherry cabinets. Look for stone options such as granite, limestone, or slate. Your kitchen will be stylish and trendy both now and in the future.
Painting your kitchen this color could reduce resale value
According to the analysis of over 50,000 sold homes from around the country, the online real estate company found that homes with kitchens painted in warm yellow hues yielded the highest sale premium. They went for $1,360 above expected values.
REFINISHING IS MUCH CHEAPER THAN REPLACING OR RESURFACING
Buying paint or stain is much cheaper than getting new cabinet faces or changing them altogether. Many people believe that refacing is a less expensive option than replacing them.
Refinishing these hardy cabinets, instead of replacing them, can both conserve wood and money. Opting to refinish, rather than replace, kitchen cabinets is more cost-effective, too; Ballard says it can save you up to $5,000. Of course, if your cabinets aren't wood, refinishing may not be an option.
The cost to paint kitchen cabinets is lower than you might think—certainly lower than replacing or even refacing them. On average, homeowners spend $809 to repaint the doors and cabinets in their kitchens, with a typical range of $395 to $1,234.
With proper care of professionally painted kitchen cabinets, you can expect your newly painted cabinets to last 8-10 years. However, there are a few things that can drastically shorten this timeframe, leaving you needing them repainted 3-4 years later.
but people are becoming bolder when adding pops of color to their kitchens. Cool-toned cabinets are dominating the trends this year and white, gray, two-toned, blue, and even green cabinets are on the rise.
Seen as a relic of the early 90's, the oak cabinets of yesteryear had a major issue: they didn't look all that great paired together with the then-prevalent styles of granite countertops. However, oak cabinets are currently in the middle of making a comeback.
Other manufacturers such as Whirlpool and Miele have also released appliances in a wide range of colors. This has caused interior designers and smaller appliance manufacturers to wonder: Could this be the end of stainless steel? Stainless steel is not going anywhere anytime soon.