To paint or stain? That is the question. Cabinetry is a prominent feature in your home. The style, arrangement and finish of your cabinets often defines the design style of your entire home. Considering if you should paint or stain your cabinets is definitely a hot topic. Let’s discuss the benefits and considerations for paint versus stain.

We all want our home to look good and evoke certain feelings. Cosmetically those feelings depend on finish. Stained wood cabinetry gives a warm, cozy, homey feeling, while painted finishes tend toward a more modern aesthetic. Do you want to see the wood grain or have a smoother appearance? Painted cabinets are often made from MDF substrate or other less expensive materials. Painting this type of material sits on the surface and creates a sleek look. Stained cabinetry is most likely of a higher grade wood, like mahogany or cherry, which has a pleasing wood grain. Staining wood brings out this element and makes a different statement all together.

The cost difference between paint and stain doesn’t really depend on finish at all, but rather the base material. A lower grade stained wood, like birch or maple, may cost about the same as a standard painted cabinet. So when considering a stained option, you should focus on the species of wood. If you’re looking at refinishing your cabinets, you should take a deep look at costs. Re-staining wood cabinets gets costly. You cannot simply stain over the top of the existing finish. The wood has to be stripped and re-stained for a proper lasting finish. Therefore, if you’re looking for a revamp, painting cabinets may be a more economical option.

How about how you live in your home? Durability of finish is a big consideration. Do you have small children or love to entertain? Painted cabinets add a layer of protection from scratching and dents, but stained cabinets conceal wear and tear better over a long period of time. Depending on how often you want to clean… painted cabinets will definitely tell you when they need a good wipe down, while stained cabinets hide messes, dirt and grime a bit more.

And who says you have to pick one over the other? Some of the most popular design features today use both. Try a stained cabinet with a painted island, or utilize a functional piece of furniture as a feature to offset your painted surroundings. You’re only limited by your imagination. Let our design team help you choose the perfect combination of wood and stain, paint and accents to make your dream home come to life.

‍

Stylishly yours,

The Chelsee Sowder Design Team