Jade, I had beadboard cabinets in a house for 10 years. I LOVED them for the first year. And then the very issues you're worried about became a regular irritation for me. We could keep them clean, but they required such vigorous cleaning the paint wore in those areas much more than in any other cabinets I've had. Having said that, the issue was with lower cabinets and drawers. The uppers were not a problem. I still like the look of them, but would never put beadboard in a kitchen again, at least not near cooking and hand-washing zones.

I've had beadboard on my lower cabinets for 3 years & don't find them dusty or dirty. They are cream color

jck910, mine were white, and they started to be an issue after a year, but at about the 5-year mark we really noticed that our cleaning was removing the paint. It wasn't dust so much as food...maybe we were just really wild cooks! :)

We would be doing white, and I'm
really trying to plan this renovation with practicality in mind - what is most durable and what requires the least amount of maintenance. I liken beadboard cabinets to louvre blinds and caned chairs....there are natural spots for dust and such to settle in if the area is high traffic and well-used. Thanks for your input… That gives me something to think about!