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painting my cabinets.. need ideas

last month

I just moved into this house, and I love the backsplash, and the ceramic tile floors… I don’t like how the cabinets clash with the grey tones… I definitely want to change the paint color of the room, and the hardware… But I am looking for advice on what color to paint the cabinets

Comments (25)

  • PRO
    last month

    I don't mind the cabinets as much as the flooring in the room. That needs to be toned down IMO.



  • last month

    Thank you !

  • last month

    Thoughts on color above the cabinets

  • last month

    And hardware?

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    Here's what's involved in painting cabinets.


    600-800 diy. 6k-8k for a cabinet painter.


  • last month

    The correct white is your only option on cupboards. I would never be happy with painted oak cabinets. The grain just doesn't look right, IMPO. What is on the stove top?

  • PRO
    last month
    last modified: last month

    I should pass.......

    You love the Floor? Cabinets white, LOSE the very dated backsplash, Lose the valance over the window. Get stainless appliances, get rid of fan, horrible lighting, change hardware.

    Whether you see grain in the oak? Seems the least of the issues : )

    For me? I'd want the flooring that's OUTSIDE that kitchen and then figure out what I want.

    But that's me, not you.

    What is the room beyond that we can not see? How far does that tile go? We do not know......Mystery all..

  • last month

    The cabinets are the nicest part of that kitchen. Leave the cabinets alone. Get rid of the backsplash and floor. Get new hardware for the cabinets and paint the walls.

  • PRO
    last month

    The cabinets are the best part of the whole thing. That backsplash and floors are the worst. They are dated and just horrible. Anything gray is way over and done with— for years now. Warm woods, greens, blues, and natural colors, are once again the most popular choices. I would not spend a dime on painting those cabinets, much less the 15K it would take to get a professional to finish them in something that can take kitchen use. For sure, do not attempt a DIY and ruin them.

  • last month

    I would agree that the flooring outside the kitchen would look nice in your kitchen with your current cabinets.


    The color on the wall looks like it matches the next room. It is fine with the cabinets, and with the flooring in the next room.


    I would also change the backsplash. You could go with something calming, or something stimulating. Your choice.

  • PRO
    last month

    First get much better lighting , ideally many pot lights but if not in the budget then a laerge LED track light with 4000K bulbs at least 7 heads. Sory but the floor and backsplash are now driving a huge time consuming job of painting cabinets and often a DIY cabinet paint job is never great.. The fact is you do not really know even how this space functions for you so wait until you have lived in that kitchen for at least 6 months before doing anything other than the lighting . In this case IMO save for as long as it takes to do this right and the fist thing is to go with the same floor as in the adjoining room.

  • last month

    Agree. Somebody made a mistake with the floor, countertop and backsplash. These all clash with the room adjacent because the rooms appear to be wide open to each other.

  • last month

    The simplest/least expensive improvement IMO would be removing the backsplash above that 6-8 inch diagonal tile line, repairing the drywall and painting it and the walls a neutral griege like edgecomb gray.


    Simpler brushed nickel cabinet hardware and light fixture would help calm down this look also. Then at a later date you can plan for a more extensive remodel.

  • last month

    Unless you are planning on hiring it out or you have the space, some good equipement and some experience and skill, a DIY job can do more harm than good.

    The biggest part of doing this well is the prep. followed by some good skills to apply the finish.

    All the doors and drawers have to be taken down and you wil need a good work space.

    This is not a DIY job that most people do well.

    By the time you make the investment in doing it right and running the high risk of things that go wrong , or hiring a professional, you might be better served to leave well enough alone or go for new ones.


    I advise you to NOT paint them. I can only imagine how much it would cost to have them done right. But maybe you have access to people with the skills and equipement to do these kinds of things . So many times when people ask about painting cabinets, they have no such resources and have not a clear understanding of what is involved. Many dont even have a place to do this kind of messy job

    Oak? What a shame to cover oak unless it is in really a sad state. More and more real wood is being replaced by other materials in new construction. Real wood in the kitchen like that may soon be a thing of the past.


  • last month

    The cabinets are great. I would not want to paint them. They look to be in excellent condition. Like others above are telling you, it is the floor thats the biggest issue. That busy floor that clashes with everything would drive me nuts in a week. Change out the floor and the backsplash, and paint the walls, and you will have a very nice kitchen.

  • last month

    Live with the kitchen for six months or a year. Then you will know what you really want to change. IN the meantime, you can add undercabinet lighting, the kind that plugs into the wall sockets, to improve your task lighting.


    The cool gray has served its day: the glass mosaic came into fashion 20 years ago. Gray colors in general are trending down in popularity. A new warm color choice for flooring and backsplash would coordinate better with the existing hardwood floors and oak cabinets.

  • last month

    If you can live with the kitchen for 6-12 months, then do so. If you can't then change out flooring so it harmonizes with the adjacent wood floor. Change out the countertops, backsplash, lighting, and cabinet hardware.


    Go for a palette like this in flooring. Then go from there to choose countertops and backsplash that harmonize with flooring.

    Honed Durango Commercial Beige Travertine, 12"x12", 10 Sq Ft · More Info


    The palette:


  • last month

    I couldn’t agree more with littlebug. The floor, counter top and backsplash all clash terribly. Extend the floor from the side

    room then select a countertop and backsplash that work together. I know you asked for colors for painting the cabinets, but

    I agree that will not solve your problem.

    debra

  • last month

    I’m going to keep the wood for now, I’m going to paint the walls in the Sherwin-Williams minimalist, and removing the hardware and change the lighting

  • last month


    I hate to be a Debbie Downer here, but your next question should be about what to paint the walls now that you're keeping the wood cabinets. SW Minimalist is going to make things even darker in there. You need to be moving in a warmer direction--no more gray or dark tones in there. I saw someone upthread suggested gray flooring. Hope you won't go in that direction but eventually look at warmer palettes others have suggested for flooring and counters and will also go with visible adjoining space with the golden floors.

    Here's a great Houzz article on paints that go with wood. Other Commentors will have better suggestions for you than Minimalist.

    https://www.houzz.com/magazine/11-terrific-paint-color-matches-for-wood-details-stsetivw-vs~9025200


  • last month

    The floors and splash are seriously terrible. I’m on the fence about the counters. They might look better with a better splash and floor.

  • PRO
    last month

    The cabinets seem to be in good condition so instead of spending on painting the cabinets, I would replace the fllor tiles for the same wood flooring you have in the adjacent room, paint the ceilng and walls a creamy white, remove the wood scallop above the sink, replace the cabinet hardware and lighting, add under cabinet lighting, replace the backsplash with a glossy white subway tile, replace the appliances for stainless steel, install a roman shade on the window, place a runner along the cabinets.


  • PRO
    last month

    Please not that horrible drab wall color .

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    Wow, just do what lisedv showed, which looks incredible and fairly budget friendly--golden flooring that goes with adjacent space--very important--cream wall paint to go with creamy subway tile for backsplash, great modern light, graphic rug. That will get you years of use and enjoyment until you want to make a change of countertops, perhaps. But light flooring and creamy subway tile really lighten the space.