Can the existing perimeter cabinets be painted white?

How old are your perimeters? They don’t look that old. I think they could be ”styled”better, especially the tops. What is your ”dream” kitchen? Speaking for myself I would rather go on a luxury Mediterranean cruise, but kitchens aren’t that big of a deal for me. Different strokes …..

I don’t believe they can be painted because they are not paint grade. I could tweak it. I do cook a lot. So one concern is grease getting on the cabinets. I did do a Mediterranean cruise. Mediterranean cra niceMediterranean

I think that you are misunderstanding what "paint grade" vs. "stain grade" cabinets means.

Paint grade cabinets are made out of woods with natural color variations or minor blemishes since they will be completely covered by paint + they can have mdf centers or be made completely out of mdf (= no movement = no cracks in paint finish).

Stain grade cabinets (which you have) = made of high-quality, solid wood chosen for its attractive, consistent grain pattern.

Stain grade cabinets can be painted - however, paint grade cabinets cannot be stained.

If your cabinets were red oak - they could still be painted -however, it would take more prep in order to hide the grain (if you wanted a completely smooth finish - some people like painted cabinets where you can see some of the grain texture but not the color of the grain).

Your cabinets are only a few years old. It seems like a waste to replace them with new ones (plus, it will keep them out of a landfill). You don't have that many cabinets to have painted (you commented that you like your island).

FYI - there is a great group on FaceBook that helps people paint their cabinets in order to obtain a professional result. I can't remember the name - but I'm sure that you could find it if you searched a little bit. True professional painted cabinets is not inexpensive - however, the finish lasts (unlike the cheaper options).

I'd at least consider replacing only the doors. You can have the doors professionally finished (they take the most abuse) while using the same color on the boxes (which can then be painted in place). I've seen kitchens that look like all new cabinets were installed - however, only the doors/drawer fronts were changed. There is a well respected pro on here (Beth H.) who had all new doors/drawer fronts installed - and her kitchen is beautiful! I will look for photos and post some.

I would want to change the lower cabinets doors to drawers - that can also be done while keeping the cabinet boxes.

There are people who will post that the cost to replace the doors is almost as much as replacing the entire cabinet. That simply is not true. Maybe it was true at some point (the rumor started somewhere) - however, there are MANY of places that sell quality replacement doors - and they are nowhere near the cost of replacing the entire cabinet.

I found the photos of Beth's kitchen - I'm not sure when she did updated her kitchen - but it was several years ago. It still looks beautiful in 2026.

Before:

After (same cabinet boxes):

She reconfigured her island + moved her OTR in order to replace it with a hood vent. She also replaced some solid doors with glass doors. She also replaced her garden window (I believe that's the correct term) over the sink with a new window that has dark stained wood trim.

Her new wide plank engineered wood floors (she ran the new engineered hardwood floors throughout her home) also had a huge impact on updating the kitchen (the slate tile that she had was a popular upgrade in early 2000s - I was looking to build a new custom home in 2004 - and the exact slate was used in many custom kitchens + offered in new high end subdivisions at the time).

She also installed a marble countertop on her island - it has an expensive treatment that was done to it prior to installation in order to prevent staining (and I think some etching). She installed a a pretty light gray quartz on her perimeter countertops that coordinated well with the veining in her natural marble island countertop.

Her backsplash is real Calacatta marble tiles = beautiful + timeless (unlike faux marble tiles).

I would want the wood of the first choice you offered but the profile of what you have or the white. Raised panels have not been in favor for some time. They are a bigger challenge to keep clean perhaps is why??? IDK. I do love the raised panel but I know it's not what's hip and happening. There's no such thing as unpaintable wood. If they were laminate, sure but never wood. The issue becomes longevity of the surface. If done professionally it will cost most of what all new wood tone does. They dip white painted doors now in a coating that really makes them last and very expensive.

I am assuming your blue island has the same door/drawer style as your perimeter? I would not mix a raised cabinet with a recessed. Have you given any thought to where your hood is going to stop? I would raise the uppers on your fridge wall so they are to the ceiling in that portion and then hang your range wall uppers at that same height.

You can also do a mix of finishes

I’d paint the same color as the island or go white. I’d enclose the space above the cabinets that are on the fridge wall.

Congratulations on your new house!✨

Whatever you decide to do- I hope you will be happy with, and enjoy your kitchen.

Here is an idea with the existing wood.

Some glass inserts in a couple of uppers. Modern hardware in silver tone to tie in with blue island and stainless appliances. Under cabinet lighting. (Arrangement of white orchids and African violets is optional. :)

I like your counterstools and they are likely new. Realistically, I have the sense that you are not keeping these wood cabinets; but in case you decide to keep them, I think the Rove Concepts Aubrey stool in the dark wood finish could be fabulous- and could also balance out the space, so that the dark/wood is not just on one side of the area.

ETA:

https://www.roveconcepts.com/aubrey-counter-stool?

Can the existing perimeter cabinets be painted white?

Also…try going onto ChatGBT and enter the components you’d like to get a feel for. I think there are a max of 3 or 4 free requests per day. The more research the better and not only for your cabinet decision (note hood).

Thank you for the suggestions and photos. I do plan on selling the perimeter cabinets on Facebook. I love the light oak and that was my original plan. I love inset doors. I try to avoid trends too much. I really want to create something that won’t become dated, but timeless.

I love this look.

The inset drawers have a classic look.

Susan if you are keeping your island can you post a photo of the working side of it? Also, if you go the white route for the perimeter please match the tone of your island TOP (which isn't a bright white - its more of a bone white).

Here is the island

I agree about the color. I like the style of the drawers.

Since you like the layout of your kitchen will suggest that if your existing cabinets are in good shape that you consider changing the color only and possibly install new hardware.

I agree with Norwood - and, it’s easy to retrofit the microwave into the upper of the cabinets by the refrigerator if you are painting them. Also, easy to do the new hood over the range if you are painting that area as well. I would not recommend keeping your island and doing a new perimeter of inset cabinets - at that point it would be better to redo the island as well in the new inset style.

Warm tones like warm white may be a perfect choice for your perimeter cabinets, since it complements the backsplash. What is your dream kitchen?

This is a better picture of the island. I love the island it is very functional and I choose that. The perimeter cabinets are particle board and lack drawers I would want.

I agree , keep the island. If you replace you are going to get nailed with the new outlet code and will have to relocate your electrical outlets as they are no longer allowed on the cabinetry as you have them. At the very least I would replace the upper cabinets too or have an additional stack built on them to raise the fridge wall to the ceiling in that area and then on your range wall bring them to that same height. For your ceiling heights they look a bit stunted.

I’m not usually a fan of decor on top of cabinets but since you have such high ceilings and cabinets that are too tall are hard to access the top shelves, I’d keep the look you have but change it up to your style. Not sure if you wanted to keep the current island color or change it up. I thought the lights were a little heavy looking but that’s personal preference.

Thanks that is really pretty. I do want to keep the island color. Can you show me what it would look like with white oak cabinets and a cream hood with brass.

@katinparadise - when you sell cabinets on marketplace how does that work? Do the buyers come take them off the walls? How does it work with lowers that have granite on them? I would happily sell my whole kitchen including the counters but I can't figure out how that works logistically without things getting destroyed.

We sold our kitchen cabinets (perimeter and island) on FB marketplace last month. The buyers uninstalled them. The island had marble and a sink and the purchasers were able to very carefully separate the marble from the cabinets without damage. I included in the listing title "Buyer uninstall" and then put the following after the description and measurements: TERMS: MUST be uninstalled and removed by the buyer. You must bring your own tools, pry bars, ladders, and proper help/large vehicle to transport. Must be removed carefully. Available for uninstall on xyz dates.

When I was communicating with interested buyers I had them confirm they were skilled. We made some money, saved significant demo/disposal costs and, best of all, kept them out of a landfill.

Ai did something a little funky with the cabinetry around the vent hood but you get the idea.

Whoops. I had the wrong hood vent color on the first one.

I never let anyone but a licensed contractor remove cabinets and counters. A lot can happen there that can cause a lot of damage. Drop the counter and your floor is dust. Hit a pipe and you flood your home. If my clients choose to sell the cabinets and counters etc my contractors remove them and place them wherever they specify to be stored until the buyer picks them up. Often times we can line a buyer up and schedule demo the same day as pick up. The cabinets sell better when the listing photos are of them installed. Remember sometimes you get a better tax write off by donating to Habitat or other places than you get from a sell.

Thank you that make sense. How do you estimate the value for a tax write off?

Usually the charity will give you a value and a receipt. It obviously only works if you already itemize your taxes. If you take the standard deduction, you can't write it off.

@Lisa Britchkow, I had my contractors remove everything. I wouldn't let someone remove them if they weren't experienced. Even then, you're taking a chance if someone happens to get hurt while trying to remove them or they break something then decide they don't want them. I also sold my old appliances, except my stove. I gave that to someone in need who was starting over.

We were comfortable letting the purchasers uninstall ours because his dad ran a construction company and they came with their licensed contractor who did the uninstall along side of them. They also paid a deposit and understood that the marble may break in the process. But yes, I suppose it could go wrong - you'd want to vet the purchasers for sure.

I think I really like this combo of cabinets a creamy white on upper and pecan color on bottom with riverbed stain.

This was option 2 I shared with you above. I like it because it stays warm by adding the wood finish.

Looks good but don’t mix the cabinet front styles. It will look like you cut corners. If the island is staying just stick with the raised panel for the perimeter.

Has anyone used the Savannah white brushed quartz in a project?