One thing to consider is the quality of the cabinets you are buying. If the cabinetry has a "clear coat" on top, it will likely be a much more durable finish that will stand the test of time. When it comes to paint, you definitely get what you pay for. As for hard to keep clean, I'd say that is determined by your use of the space & how often you clean more-so than anything. Have you considered doing a 2-tone kitchen? Perhaps with some painted cabinets, mixed with a combo of some stained cabinets? We see this often. If you are open to that idea, I would recommend using the stained cabinetry at your highest traffic areas. I.e. Sink, prep area (island?), cooking area (if you have a cooktop with drawers)?
I have attached a few pictures of 2-tone kitchens we have done to spark some thoughts. Good Luck!!

Thank you for the suggestions! I hadn't thought about using two tones. I wonder if it would look too uniform if I used a wood tone on the lowers and white or cream for uppers? I just know my kids are horrible about leaving dirty handprints

Hello patterl3,

How often do you want to clean:) Little hands can make white kitchen cabinets a mess (take my word for it as a professional designer with three boys under 13 and white kitchen cabinets!) But there are ways to combat it. If you utilize a high gloss paint and a Magic Eraser you can accomplish getting rid of most marks in seconds. Truly. Stick with your wish for white cabinets, give them a really good coat of paint to start a good life and make an effort to clean every week.

A few for inspiration....







Best of luck with your decorating and please let us know if we can be of any assistance,

Elizabeth cabell, ASID, CID
Cabell Design Studio

I am also planning to use hardwood floors throughout the first floor, so I was a little scared of trying to use wood tones on the cabinets for fear that they would clash with the flooring. I would like to use a darker tone on the floor.

Thanks for the advice, Elizabeth! I will use your comments as ammunition as my husband is dead set against white, but for this space (no windows, only natural light is from breakfast room adjacent to the space) I think lighter cabinets would be the best choice.

@patterl3 No it wouldn't look too uniform to use stained bases with white wall cabinets. We see that done a lot. I don't have any pictures with white's on hand, but it's certainly common. Here are (2) pictures with 2-tone stains done that way. (one color bottom, another on top). I have 3 boys (ages 4, 6 & 7) If i were using paint, I'd choose a 2 tone look just for my sanity. You could always hire a maid! (Nice thought right?)

Should not be difficult to clean if they are coated with a good oil based paint.
http://www.bargainbacker.com

Hiring a maid would solve my dilemma indeed! ;-)

Can anyone recommend a good brand of cabinet to start the search? I know several custom cabinet builders in my area but I think I could probably save a little buying prefab.

Absolutely, you can combine finishes with very nice results. You don't have to worry about darker wood floors clashing with dark stained lower cabinets, as long as the two colors are complementary. You can then use white upper cabinet as well as a light backsplash to get the effect of a white kitchen. Here are some examples:

Thank you for the examples, cjohnston! They are awesome! I think I actually like that look more than all white!

DeWils Cabinetry has GREAT product for cost. Lots of options. They offer paint & Stain. Furniture Quality but great value. 3 of the 4 pictures i uploaded with my original comment are their cabinetry. Their website is www.dewils.com Best of luck in your searches!

I have 2 little boys - messy little things they are!
I have off-white cabinets, and they are easily kept clean. However, I'd caution against a gloss finish. It is the worst for showing up sticky little finger marks. Stick with satin or even better, matte.
Good Luck!

I know this is an old post but for those who can't decide between white or dark cabinets, my experience is that, yes, you find yourself wiping down your cabinets more often, but at least you know and can see that your cabinets are clean. If you spilled some food on your cabinets the logical thing to do is cleaning them right away no matter the color of your cabinets. Wiping them down once a week, especially around the handles is a must for me.

This is insanely good

If regularly maintained - every day - white kitchen cabinets are easy to keep clean. Everyday light maintenance will do the trick for any kitchen cabinetry, not only white. We would recommend matte finish as it performs best in busy kitchens.

I plan on white cabinets what do you do and use for daily maintenance?? My builder says light dish soap and water or furniture polish. My neighbor recommends a orange paste type wax she used on here wood shutters. Open for ideas

I'm going to add a contrary point of view to this thread. Our old house was a 1960's era ranch, and I painted all of the woodwork and cabinets white. I liked how it looked but came to absolutely HATE the upkeep and maintenance. My husband is a great--but sloppy--cook, and I was constantly wiping down those stupid cabinets. They got so grimy and splattered. I'm sorry but I don't feel like wiping my cupboards down all the time. Besides this, you also have to take into account the fact that the paint chips. The house we live in now was built in 1992 and has Amish custom made golden oak cabinets, which of course are horribly out of style. I'm sure they are just as dirty as our old white cabinets but you'd never know it because they don't show it. I decided to be content with their outdated look because I am so very, very happy with how they function!

Stained cabinets are way way easier to maintain than painted cabinets. The early stages of wear will definitely show themselves quickly in high traffic areas. The key is to use product like conversion varnish or other Catalyzed products that will allow you to regularly clean and wipe down your cabinets, without having to worry about the finish being to soft like lacquer or enamel.

You should put down a protective non yellowing layer of clear catalyzed coating on areas which most get traffic like sink and trash pull out. In addition you can go a step further and also consider using a cabinet door protector to help minimize chips and water damage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vc3LT5EVDo

check out https://www.cabinethero.com/