need help with kitchen cabinet colors

3 years ago

Please help with color + stain/paint for new maple Shaker kitchen cabinets in an interior U-shaped kitchen. I would prefer a stain, but am not crazy about any we've tried so far. Painting (but not white) is an option if we can't find an acceptable stain. We will also need to choose a countertop that will help as much as possible my SO's decreasing vision and backsplash. Photos below are of (1) stains we have tried so far and (2) showing a larger example of floor tile color and variation.

In the first photo, the colors from right to left are (1) window trim stain (2) golden oak with 2 coats (3) gray and white 50-50 wiping stain (4) golden oak with 1 coat on rigt and 2 coats on left (5) white wiping stain--you can hardly see it (6) gray wiping stain (7) small version of 50-50 gray/white wiping stain (8) golden oak mixed with (I think) cinnamon (9) the stain my SO used on the window trim (but pine trim versus maple--takes stain differently) and (10) I *think* this one is some pecan we had lying around.

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Comments (3)

Lynne Om (9A, New Smyrna Beach,FL)
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks, @Lomo. Is there a brand/formulation that you recommend?
RedRyder
3 years ago
You need larger samples of the maple to make this decision. But, I agree that plain maple, with the right clear coat is your best option. Maple is a BEAUTIFUL wood when left alone.
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M Miller
3 years ago
I agree with the suggestions above for clear-stained maple. All the good quality cabinet companies should carry that. Stay away from Home Depot and Lowe's.

Regarding your counter question and your SO's vision, perhaps a cream color Quartz with the tiniest bit of pattern such as LG Viatera Cirrus (just a suggestion to see what I mean; there are many Quartz patterns like that). Also make sure you have undercabinet lighting, and the undercabinet lighting should be installed toward the front of the upper cabinets. Many electricians install undercabinet lighting toward the rear of the upper cabinets because it's easier for them. But the lighting is best when it is installed toward the front of the upper cabinets.

As to your backsplash, do not choose it until after everything else is installed. Everything looks different once installed, and it is best to wait to choose the backsplash until the kitchen is otherwise finished.