White cabinets are arguably the most timeless kitchen cabinet option. Painted vs stained cabinets come and go in terms of trends, but white cabinets are pretty much always being put into homes. They may be more popular at times than others, but they're definitely more timeless than trendy.

Good question. A few answers:

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5637044/are-white-cabinets-going-out-of-style#n=21

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5432419/are-white-cabinets-going-out-of-style-what-are-more-common-kitchen-t#n=78

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2692338/kitchen-bath-remodel-cabinets-countertops-that-are-timeless#n=17

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5260087/white-cabinets-and-stained-wood-islandis-this-a-trend#n=12

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/3027882/will-white-cabinets-look-dated#n=63

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2574479/are-white-cabinets-still-in#n=12

I'm not being flippant, but a search of the GW forum on this topic results in nearly 1,000 threads on this topic. The answer seems to be: Yes, No, and All of the above.

Seconding what AboutToGetDusty said: what do you like? In terms of what's popular right now, you will find kitchens with painted cabinets, stained cabinets, and sometimes both. But to be really happy with your end result you should first consider what you want to look at all the time, and it may be different from what others are doing.

Depends. On the house and the cabinet. Lots of cathedral arched white cabs out there that few would be calling "timeless".

I love both. The kitchen cabinets and built ins are all stained. Our house has an open floor plan so it kind of feels like wood overload.

Nothing is timeless if they are put in the wrong style of home.

Exactly what cpartist said! plus you cannot count on cabinets to "create" your space for you... You have to bring all the elements together...

All these kitchens have white shaker doors... but depending on the style of the home certain ones will work and others won't...

So you can see - a white shaker door can fit styles from contemporary to farm house, ONLY IF you design the rest of the space right...

Debbi Washburn- I don’t have shaker cabinets. I’m not sure what they would be called, but I would say traditional.

Ashley, it would be helpful to see a picture of your kitchen and the adjoining room. I'm assuming it's all "open concept".

I just used the shaker door as an example of how different the same door can look depending on whats around it.

Your cabinets look to be a traditional yet rustic style. So you "style" options would now be more limited - for instance nothing modern or farmhouse - the doors seem to detailed for that. You are obviously on an open floor plan - do you think you would like the idea of white cabinets filling that corner? are you looking to just paint them?? Or are you redoing the kitchen?

I like a wood cabinet so I'm probably the worst person to ask about painting cabinets white! LOL

Sorry. These are a little dark. I had my daughter send them to me. Of course the picture in the floor is not staying there. Just trying to figure out where to lay it. The mantle is also going to be redone. It will be a beefier and more simple mantle.

I love the look of wood, but also the white. I just feel like there may be too much wood in here.

There is a lot of wood but it is broken up nicely... I completely agree about the fireplace... I really wish you could find a different place for that huge tv.

I definitely do not feel like wood overload.. I think you may need to consider making things a little lighter. The tv when it is off it's like a giant black hole above the fireplace, the pendants over the island are dark, your stools are dark, your faucet and ceiling fan are all dark, the mirrors by the table, the chairs... I am wondering if trying to alter these things will help to lighten the room...

Personally I don't think it is bad at all but what I am missing is some color! Everything is so very neutral...When I look through the picture of the kitchen my eye was drawn first to the hood because of its height and the green wreath and then to the ref because of the yellow paper.

I hope that someone with more of an interior design finesse will chime in... my design aesthetic is not for everyone... I love color! I would change the walls to either a sage green or blue/gray color - get patterned rugs - introduce some fun pillows - a beautiful, colorful throw on the chaise - some interesting artwork or family photo collage by the table - more colorful or patterned chairs and stools...

And then of course... if you wanted to... you could just paint your cabinets... lol

Like I said - hopefully someone with interior design sense will chime in!

Best of luck to you... Post pictures of whatever changes you make

I think white is pretty timeless but other things can be timeless as well. Timeless to me means classic. Like a little black dress.

Debbi Washburn- I love those ideas. The walls are going to be painted because the builder grade paint on them now does not clean well. I think I still want to keep them somewhat neutral, because I am very indecisive when it comes to decorating. I think I can do as you suggested and lighten things up with the not so permanent accessories though. I absolutely LOVE blue! Do you have any suggestions for the rocker in the corner? I am wanting to have it reupholstered. Should I paint the wood or leave it the dark wood?

Are you talking about the lounger? I don't see a rocker in the pictures... you will have to find a good place and see what fabrics they have... find something that really grabs you... it doesn't have to be bold - it could be a subtle pattern and do bolder pillows or something like these:

Since it is an open space, you will need to find that one thing you really love - a rug, a painting, a pillow, a fabric... that you can use to pull your color pallet from.

Which wood are you considering painting? The built-ins or the kitchen? I would leave all the wood alone til you sort out the other things you may want to try. Properly painting wood cabinetry is time consuming and can be costly..

You may want to look into hiring a local interior decorator or if you have a local college with a design program sometimes you can get students..

The best thing to do is just go out and look... don't look to find the "one" - just look .... take pictures of things that catch your eye - make note of where you saw it.. then mull it over a bit...look at fabric, paintings, your favorite photos, patterned shirts/dresses, pillows... you would be surprised at what becomes a persons inspiration.. you just have to find yours...

Debbi Washburn- the rocker is in the picture with the blue console table and round mirror. It sets to the right of that table and is very dark. Love that third fabric.

I had considered painting both, but I don’t want to regret it. Once I paint there’s no going back. I think I’ll just keep those elements and just try to work everything else around it. I’ve wanted upholstered barstools and possibly upholstered end chairs for the table, but I still have a little one. I’m worried about them being ruined since we do use both for eating.

You only live once... try the easier less expensive things first... I still think they Scotchguard fabrics so they can be easy to clean... Maybe keep a "special" cushion for the seat you little one is on and just get a tie on cushion that can be tossed in the washing machine or thrown out...

I have changed the pillows on the couch and am now considering changing the curtains in the dining area. Would either of these work?

I have changed the pillows on the couch and am now considering changing the curtains in the dining area. Would either of these work?

I have changed the pillows on the couch and am now considering changing the curtains in the dining area. Would either of these work?

I think the second ones are brighter and more lively!