Painting anywhere in your home is a big decision. It's important to be informed and weigh the pros and cons of having an area painted. If you're considering making the switch from oak wood cabinets to white, there are different factors to keep in mind to make the right decision.
At Brush & Roll Painting in Omaha, NE, we have been updating oak wood cabinets since 1996. We take pride in our thorough prep work process and use of high-quality products.
In this article, we will discuss both the pros and cons to painting oak kitchen cabinets. By reading this, you will be able to make an informed decision about whether painting your oak kitchen cabinets is right for you or not.
pro 1- aesthetic
Obviously, white cabinets are pretty. White paint is classic and creates a sense of calm in any space. Opting for white also means not worrying about whether or not it suits existing furniture and decor, as it usually pairs with just about anything. Oak cabinets can age poorly, and soon you're left with dated orange oak cabinets.
Whether your personal style is farmhouse, mid-century modern, contemporary, or Scandinavian, all-white cabinets will complement it. Painting oak cabinets white is aesthetically pleasing, and many kitchen wall colors go with white cabinets.
pro 2- makes your space appear bigger
If your kitchen or bathroom is on the tiny side, white is an excellent choice to make it appear larger. That's because white finishes will reflect the light and create the illusion of more space. It can also make your ceilings appear taller, all without a major renovation to your kitchen.
PRO 3- INSTANT UPDATE
You don't have to gut your kitchen to give it a facelift. In fact, by painting your oak cabinets white, you'll transform the look and feel of your kitchen instantly. All it takes is a few coats of paint!
CON 1- MAINTENANCE
Think about when you wear white pants or a white shirt. The danger of spilling or staining and having that visible is much more obvious on a light color. If white paint chips or peels, it's more noticeable. Even a perfect paint job will show wear after a while. If you have a lot of traffic in your kitchen or bathroom and young children, you might feel like the white cabinets need extra protection. Choosing a quality company to paint your cabinetry is crucial, especially if you want to ensure as little goes wrong as possible.
CON 2- REDUCING VALUE
If you're worried about maintaining the integrity of your home, repainting could potentially reduce its future value. Some buyers want homes in their original state, especially historic homes with character features like grains and knots in the wood. As opposed to white painted wood, stained oak wood might be considered low-maintenance for future homeowners as well. You can showcase the grain with a darker color as well or add distressing to bring out the natural beauty.
CON 3- NOT MATCHING LOOK AND FEEL OF HOME
White woodwork in certain homes may not be period accurate. And if that's the case, leave the stained oak wood as is. 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.
Choose what is best for you and your kitchen
Overall, painting your oak cabinets white is a fantastic, easy way to create a clean, sleek, modern look in your home. For those wanting to beautify the character and charm of natural wood, you can opt for glazing and distressing. If you're ready to breathe new life into your space, give Brush & Roll Painting a call to schedule your estimate and discuss your goals for cabinet refinishing in greater detail!
At Brush & Roll Painting, we know that home painting is a serious investment. We also believe any paint job is only as good as the prep. If you want a quality paint job that will stand the test of time, give us a call at (402) 932-9764 or schedule an estimate online.
Maybe you're not ready to refinish your oak cabinets, a refresh to your kitchen or bathroom wall color with your cabinets may be what you're looking for instead.
To learn more about painting oak cabinets click here.
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