Kitchen & Bath Remodel Blog

Should You Paint or Stain Your Kitchen Cabinets?

| Mar 26, 2021

Painted cabinets | St. Louis, MO | Perspective Cabinetry & Design

For many homeowners, kitchen cabinets are the “face” of the room and therefore have a huge impact on its aesthetic. Whether you're planning a full kitchen remodel or only updating this one aspect, you’ll need to decide between staining and painting the cabinets. Here's a closer look at the pros and cons of each to help you determine what’s best for your kitchen. 

Painted Cabinets

Paint creates a smooth, uniform, modern result with a wide range of colors to choose from. It can be applied to plywood, hardwood, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) cabinetry, allowing you to choose less expensive materials and put money into other kitchen remodeling projects. Many paints also offer water resistance to prevent the underlying material from warping. 

Despite creating contemporary looks, maintaining clean painted cabinets is often challenging. Unless you’re working with washable paint, removing staining foods and liquids can cause the product to erode or crack. However, if you don’t mind hiding grain and other natural wood blemishes or prefer to work with inexpensive MDF, paint could be the ideal option.

Stained Cabinets

Stained cabinets | St. Louis, MO | Perspective Cabinetry & Design

By staining kitchen cabinets, you’re highlighting hardwood grain and knots to create a natural, attractive result. In addition to aesthetics, staining products reduce cabinet maintenance because they won’t crack or peel. They're also easier to apply because mistakes aren't obvious. However, the water resistance of stained cabinets is minimal, and you’ll have fewer color choices. 



Refrain from applying staining products to MDF, as they don't soak into the material and can create an unattractive result. Though hardwood cabinets cost more upfront, they'll last up to 30 years when stained. Painted cabinets typically last 10 years before they need minor to major touch-ups. Opt for stained cabinets if you’re considering long-term, low-maintenance investments and love the natural look they provide. 

Discuss your kitchen cabinet vision with the team at Perspective Cabinetry & Design for a more beautiful, functional cooking space. The company specializes in custom kitchen and bathroom cabinets, allowing homeowners throughout the Greater St. Louis County, MO, area to create unique interiors. Call the leading cabinetry design company today at (314) 716-3525 to schedule an installation or review past work online. Get more inspiration on their Facebook page.

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