what should I do with my new oak cabinets?

Question

My wife wants to paint them white. She thinks that oak is dated. I kind of see her point. I want to leave them natural though. They are light in color. Our appliances are stainless. We are going to paint the walls a nuetral green that almost looks like a light grey. If we keep the cabinets the natural color, what color floors (tile) and countertops should we have. I was thinking dark, like charcoal. I would like to know what you think.

Answer 1

I love the oak cabinets but to modernize them a bit you could lightly streak them and add very shiny coats over top, with brushed nickle hardware. Dark counter tops maybe a dark almost black green, the floors I would do in a stone finish, Per low has a new snap on in stone that is easy to install and looks very good and is durable. Just for giggles I would throw in a little tomato red on the back splash like the new glass tiles with various colors. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It's really personal taste! I don't care for Oak's excessive graininess. It gives a very 'Country' feel and I'm not a County girl. Because the world went Oak crazy there is a lot of cheap oak cabinets out there. Go to a home improvement store and compare yours with more expensive Oak cabinets to see what you have. If you have expensive cabinets it is probably best to keep them for resale value. If they are junkie looking Oak, paint them! It is a matter of taste as to whether you like Oak or not and would prefer covering it up!

Answer 3

Remember, if oak is outdated (which I do not agree with, it's probably your wife's opinion), that when your wife does come to realize she likes the look, you'd have to strip every little piece, which I stripped two doors and it took over 10 hours each door and I didn't get it all off. Plus not to mention oak is a hardy wood, which will last a long long time. My recommendation, try to convince your wife to not paint the cabinets for the futures sake!

Answer 4

Oak cabinets are anything but dated. New home builders offer oak, cherry, maple etc. and pretty much always have. Our last home had natural red oak cabinets with natural red oak harwood floors. We had black appliances and countertops. The walls were a medium sage green. We always had compliments on that kitchen. Go to a Home Depot or Loews kitchen specialist. It doesn't cost anything to get ideas.

Answer 5

Don't deface your oak cabinets! That finish is what you're paying for.

My wife and I are doing the same thing as you. We're getting oak cabinets with Absolute black granite flooring, and countertops. We'll probably go with the "black glass appliances".

Sounds like you have a good game plan. I'd recommend going with granite if you can afford it. It's well worth the price when you look at resale values.

Answer 6

I would look for a granite that has some of the wall color and some of the light color of the cabinets mottled into a med to dark background. It will update the look of the oak without changing the color.
Or, if you want to go to the trouble, you might restain the cabinets a darker colour- maybe a med golden oak, med walnut, or to contrast nicely with the new wall colour how about a cherry or mahogony. If you do that then still go with the granite look w/ the new colours mottled in to compliment.

Answer 7

I shoot photos for new homes.....natural oak is not out of date. Hundreds of homes have it and are still being built with it in the kitchens. I would suggest you and the wife head out to some stores that have remodeling or show rooms to get some ideas as what would be best for you...and what you like the most.

Answer 8

Paint over lacquer finish is just stupid. You are looking for a big problem. Leave them and change the counter top...

I have 25 years as a kitchen dealer. I always sided with the person who is right. In this case its you not your wife...

Answer 9

It is a shame to paint over oak. Might as well sell it, buy painted furniture, and pocket the difference.