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Should You Paint or Stain Kitchen Cabinets?

May 27, 2021

Should You Paint or Stain Kitchen Cabinets?

Overview
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If you’ve ever built or remodeled a kitchen, you have probably run into this exact question. Creating a beautiful and functional kitchen is an extremely important part of creating the perfect home; and one of the best places to add a statement are the cabinets. Paint and stain are two totally different entities and you should fully understand the pros and cons of each before making a decision.

If you’ve ever built or remodeled a kitchen, you have probably run into this exact question. Creating a beautiful and functional kitchen is an extremely important part of creating the perfect home; and one of the best places to add a statement are the cabinets. Paint and stain are two totally different entities and you should fully understand the pros and cons of each before making a decision.

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The Pros of Paint

  • Any Color is Possible
    The color choices with painted cabinets are endless! If you can find the paint color, you can have cabinets that color. With color coming back into style, this is becoming a more common choice.
  • Sleek and Clean Finish
    Painted cabinets do not show the material beneath; therefore, they look very clean and sleek compared to a more rustic or detailed look that stained cabinets have.
  • A More Affordable Cabinet Option
    MDF (a material used for constructing cabinets) is one of the most affordable options for constructing cabinets. It also holds paint very well and it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between wood and MDF when the paint job is complete. Although paint typically cost more then stain, you can gain this money back by using cheaper cabinet material.

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The Pros of Stain

  • Details are Defined
    With stained cabinets, the wood details and pattern can easily be seen. The balance between texture and color is very balanced making for a great final look.
  • A More Affordable Finish Option
    While stain doesn’t apply well with MDF, it is a cheaper finish when compared to paint. Stain should be applied to real wood to last the longest and look the best. Wood will, in most cases, last longer then an MDF material, making this combination the longest lasting.
  • Stain can Easily be Touched-Up
    This is especially true when it comes to cabinets with heavy grain. Stain pens are easy to find, and even if an exact match isn’t available, a pen within the ballpark color of your cabinets will quickly and effectively hide an blemish.

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The Cons

Paint Doesn’t Touch-Up as Well
When compared to stain, painted cabinets don’t touch up as easily. Paint can look blotchy and uneven when repaired, which makes this method a bit less appealing.

Stain Shows the Blemishes
While this is often a pro to some design styles, it should be noted that you will be able to see the blemishes in the wood cabinets that are stained. While some people see this characteristic as a pro, others might consider it a negative.

Dust Cannot be Hidden
Whether paint or stain, a dark finish choice will show everything. The only way to really avoid dust being an issue is to choose a lighter color shade all together for your cabinets.


In all of my years of designing, I have seen 30+ kitchens be built. In my personal opinion, stained, wood cabinets are the way to go for the longest lasting and most classic looking choice. Painted cabinets are the best choice if you’re wanting to u…

In all of my years of designing, I have seen countless kitchens built. In my personal opinion, stained, wood cabinets are the way to go for the longest lasting and most classic looking choice. Painted cabinets are the best choice if you’re wanting to use color.


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