I actually have both finishes in my kitchen, but my floor is tiled so thats why I could do multicolor. I have KitchenCraft which is exactly the same as the KitchenMaid from Lowes I think its called. My island is stained (grey brown) and the cabinets against the walls are painted white. Also shaker style, so I guess I can weigh in on both :) I have 5 yo twins so we're getting LOTS of wear and very little care these days. My trash and recycle bins are in the island, as well as my cutlery drawer and those are the most used. I unfortunately went for wood cabinets but should have done MDF since its painted. The wood is giving me issues at the mouldings where dirt goes right into the crevices because there is an unsealed seam. On the white cabinets it looks dark, and on the dark cabinets, light. See pictures. I have the paint wearing off after 3 years at the handles surrounds on both finishes, but it is easier to retouch on the stained doors. Hard to match paint (I'm a paintings conservator! LOL). However I find that dirt and dust is actually more visible on the dark...or maybe I'm just quicker at wiping dirty spots on the white cabinets!

On a side note, we were also going to sell after 5 years, but the market being what is it, its been 8 years now and with all the renos we've done, we are staying for a while more now ;) so maybe do what you like and could be happier with longer.

White is hugely popular right now. Who knows what 5 years from now may bring.

I am already seeing posts where people are tired of white kitchens.

They are definitely tired of gray kitchens.

Most still like wood if it isn't espresso, gray, golden oak or cherry.

Do what makes sense for you and your family.

Realtor's often advise based on what is popular, but that isn't the only factor to consider.

Like you, other people with small children may not want white. If your home is in a neighborhood with an outstanding elementary school, those buyers may like wood better. On the other hand, if the big draw to your neighborhood is proximity to the "Country Club", the buyers may prefer white and want nothing less than Wolfe/Subzero appliances.

You have to know your market - what made you want to buy the house, what is likely to make the next buyer want your home.

I have never see paint hold up as well as wood.

Get what works for you and your family. I happen to like white and it been my only choice of cabinetry.

That said , yes, white can chip, but I haven’t found it to be an issue. I have a touch up kit and use it maybe once a year?

I would only install a kitchen that is popular today in your market, if you were selling now.

Five years? No. I personally think a well renovated move in ready kitchen that is five years old would not deter me if all other factors were in place. Location and school district. Most kitchens start to look dated in 10 years, anyway.

These colors are from Fieldstone Cabinets, similar to Dove White and Colt. Granite is White Lava. I used Hickory stained wood and Maple painted. You are better off going with Schuler cabinets from Lowes because their stained wood is oil based, Schuler is a better brand than Diamond. Schuler also has more choices for cabinet sizes and some modifications are free.

Newly remodeled kitchens, done right are popular. People want to see a trend setter kitchen not the same old, same old. I have done few White Kitchens in the last 5 years because the initial question people ask is, Is there something else other than Shaker White. If your Designer is a good interior designer also, he or she will put together a scheme without white. If not, you will easily flock to white because it's safe and it will sell because you just did your kitchen.

In 2007 I did my kitchen in Rustic Alder, stone looking porcelain tile floor and El Dorado and Absolute black granite. I sold the house in 2018, Schuler Cabinets, and it was the most talked about kitchen in the market, because it was a classic and looked brand new no matter what year you saw it in.

As a stager who’s always thinking about resale :), I’d say listen to your realtor and stick with white. Yes colors come and go and nobody truly knows what will be “in” in 5 years, but white is about as timeless as you can get. 4-5 years is not that far away and a kitchen is a major renovation expense. If you had just moved in and were staying there long term, I’d tell you to do what you like (within reason- see comment about always thinking about resale :).

Mindful gray or off white are much better for resale value. Or can do a darker shade base cabinets and white uppers

Think about a color that comes across as a neutral - like navy - also for your lowers.

I love the gray-brown colors, and think if they are paired with white uppers they won't be common and will still look fresh in 5 years - if they work with your floors.

RE your teenager concerns: they are old enough to be held responsible for not damaging (we all can drop a knife accidently, so I don't mean that) and for helping to keep both painted and stained cabinets clean. Task them with gently wiping them down with a soapy sponge once per week per child.

White or a light, neutral wood will never go out of style. People may try to act elitist by saying they're "sick of white" but get real. It's the preferred kitchen color for average buyers. It's clean, bright, both classic and modern. White kitchens pop even with outdated cabinet styles.

Thank you all for your thoughts! Here is a picture of my original idea. Not sure where I would get the best value price/quality for these in Mercer County, NJ. Any suggestions?

The second person at Lowe's prefers Schuler, but the colors are very limited -- dark gray or white.

@Elizabeth Dercole

I hope that I live long enough to see people once again confident enough to embrace bright colors and paint their kitchens lime green or magenta.

What you probably don't know is how closely related color trends are to the economy.

Follow the color trends and map it against the middle class economy and the need for comfort.

50s and 60s we had a growing middle class and saw colors go from pastels to psychedelic!

70s brought some troubles, post Vietnam war, steel mills were on the decline we were still doing okay, but more muted, earthy tones gave us some needed comfort. The 80s and 90s tech rebound brought bright colors back into the mainstream. After 911 we went ultra neutral - builders beige and white. As the income gap widened and we hit the housing crash we went from beige to gray. White is a sign that people are more hopeful. We are either getting used to the widening income gap or more at ease that we won't drop out of the middle class or lose our homes.

I'm not sick of white, but I do yearn for purple!