Paint hides character features.

Paint is a much thicker substance than stains. It sits on top of wood rather than being absorbed. This creates a flat, plain, surface, hiding the natural grain and knots of the wood.

Stains showcase character features.
Unlike paint, stains don’t steal the spotlight of the woods natural character. While paint sits on top, stain soaks in and enhances the beauty and uniqueness of each piece of wood.

Paint is harder to touch up.
We are rough on stuff. Between spills, messes, pets, damage is going to happen. Touching up paint is extremely hard. Over time, paint fades, stains, and chips away. Not only will painted chips show through because of different heights of paint, but color matching is tricky.

Stains are easy to touch up.

Touch up markers are a wonderful thing! Even if the exact match isn’t available, wood is so dimensional, finding a stain that is close will be easy and the imperfection will blend in as if it was never there to begin with.

Paint isn’t cost-effective compared to stains.

When comparing painted to stained, painted cabinets are always more costly. On average, painted cabinets are about 10% to 15% higher in price, which depending on the size of the kitchen, can be a lot of extra green.

All in all, stains and lacquer are more cost effective and durable. If you are looking to remodel your kitchen, do it the right way.

Painted cabinets

While we will never recommend painting your cabinets, sometimes we can’t pick the cabinets we have. Painted cabinets are a bit tricky when it comes to cleaning, because the finish is very fragile. Avoid using harsh cleaners, as they can strip the paint. Soap and water, or diluted vinegar, are great options for cleaning. Just make sure to not scrub too hard, and to dry off the surface completely once finished. 

 

Laminate 

Laminate cabinets are my favorite, in terms of clean up! Since they’re not a traditional wood, there is no porous material to be worried about. Any all purpose cleaner will do the trick (Mrs. Meyers is my favorite), or even just water and a microfiber cloth to avoid damaging the finish is all it really takes to keep them shiny and beautiful! 

Stained wood

Stained wood cabinets are definitely a lot of work to keep them in good shape, but the finish and beauty is completely worth it. These cabinets need to be washed and oiled about twice a year. A good mixture for a cleaning solution is  six-eighths distilled white vinegar, one-eighth rubbing alcohol, and one-eighth water with a few drops of dish soap. With this mixture, and a cloth, just start wiping down! Once done, wipe down with a clean, damp cloth. It is as simple as that for the cleaning process. Finish with any furniture oil, and you’re on your way to keeping your cabinets gorgeous for many years to come. 

 

Open shelving

There are definitely pros and cons to open shelves, but there is no dispute that it is a key element to keeping that farmhouse style. It creates easy access to dishes and utensils, and makes the kitchen feel “real”. Nothing is hidden behind doors! 

 

Natural flooring

Wide weathered oak flooring is great for that farmhouse feel, keeps the space feeling a bit vintage without the dirt and damage of actual old floors. 

 

Apron sink

This is single most important element. The deep wide sink is great for daily use. They are sturdy and stylish. Perfect to complete the look of a farmhouse kitchen. 

Patterned tile

 

Patterned tile is super popular right now, but it is a style we expect to stick around for a while. Incorporating tile and floating shelves is a great way to make a kitchen more visually appealing. Patterned tile also works great for back splashes and the back side of kitchen islands! 

Art

Art is another way to spice up a space! It is easy to forget that wall art can also work great in kitchens! Something bold and daring, featuring a bright color is the perfect way to bring interest to a space. 

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is making a comeback, but not like it used to! Not only are there super neat new wallpaper products that make it a heck of a lot easier to apply, they are also easier to remove when you decide to change your mind in a few years!

Adding an accent wall, or using the wallpaper as a back splash alternative are both great options to make a more visually interesting space!

Statement lighting

Light fixtures are a great way to make a space more interesting. Incorporating lighting that is bold, and a little off the beaten path, is the perfect way to make a space feel risky, without being too risky! 

Contrast

 

Contrasting with dark fixtures and hardware is a great way to keep your kitchen from feeling too sterile. The worst way to dress up your white kitchen is to add more light colors to it. Silver or brushed nickle will make the space feel flat and uninteresting.

Another way to contrast is add a colored island. This creates a bit of break up in the white pallet, while still having all that airy-ness white kitchens have to offer. 

Accessories and pops of color

 

Adding color is the best way to set up a white kitchen. Whether it be a vase with flowers, a fruit bowl, or some towels, these little things can be switched out frequently to change up the color with the seasons, and still add something to the space. If you’re feeling a bit more daring, painting walls or the inside of your cabinet boxes a bold color or adding bright drapes could be the pop your kitchen needs! 

Add warmth

 

Adding wood to a white kitchen is, in my opinion, the best way to break up all the white in the kitchen. Wood tones in cutting boards, chairs, islands, flooring and open shelving are all great ways to make the space pop. The reason this works so well is because it adds an earthy element and extra texture to an otherwise flat space. 

Start with countertops

 

First consider material and finish. Not just for looks, but for durability, functionality and budget. Countertops are not cheap to change out if you change your mind after the material is custom made for your kitchen. Once you have decided on the budget for your countertops, read up on which materials are best for your lifestyle. 

Cabinets

 

Before choosing the color of your countertops, choose the cabinet color and door style. Cabinets are the focal point in the kitchen. They also will make or break a kitchen design. What color are you looking for in your kitchen? Smaller spaces are best with white, but larger kitchens have an infinite amount of options. There are also an abundance of cabinet door styles to choose from that fit any aesthetic choice. 

Countertops again

 

Now that you have chosen cabinets, now it is time to choose the color of your countertops. This all depends on the material chosen. Most materials have a decent variety of color options and patterns to choose from. Find one that doesn’t clash with your cabinet selection. Feel free to take samples with you when looking at cabinet doors to see what fits your taste best.   

Finishing touches

 

Last is hardware, backsplash and accessories. It is best to pick a matching metal throughout your hardware and fixtures. I am partial to oil rubbed bronze, as I think it contracts well the the normal nickel and stainless steel finishes. Choosing light fixtures, faucet/soap dispenser, and door hardware that are all the same material or color is a fantastic way to give your kitchen a “designer touch”.

New Cabinets

 

The first option in a home remodel, is to replace the cabinets entirely. While new cabinets are nice, and it allows you to change the layout of your kitchen, it comes at a cost. Be prepared to spend the majority of your budget on cabinets alone. In the end, your kitchen will be extremely beautiful and will be more functional. 

Paint current cabinets

 

Painting current cabinets is definitely an option, but not one we’d recommend. There are more cons than pros to painting. However, the biggest pro, is cheap. If you plan on spending any time in your home after doing the remodel, don’t go this route. However, if you’re just trying to freshen up the space to sell your home, it is an option. Paint chips easily, fades, nicks, and gets damaged easily. I would only paint your cabinets when looking to sell, if you have a feeling people will want to gut your kitchen within a few years of buying the home (Probably due to a weird layout). 

Stain current cabinets

 

Staining and painting will be basically the same process in a lot of ways. Take off all the doors, apply lacquer or stain, do the same to all the boxes, then once everything is dry, reinstall everything. If you love the current layout of your kitchen, and you like your cabinet doors, this is a great option! Cheap and high quality finish that will last a long time!  

Reface cabinets

 

Cabinet refacing is an awesome option. Within a weekend or so, you have a completely redone kitchen that looks brand new. Unlike a full kitchen cabinet remodel, the cabinet box is not destroyed when refacing your cabinets. Refacing involves replacing all cabinet doors and drawer fronts and cover existing cabinet boxes with new wood. Additions to your cabinets can easily be made and seamlessly blended in as well. 

Painted cabinets

While we will never recommend painting your cabinets, sometimes we can’t pick the cabinets we have. Painted cabinets are a bit tricky when it comes to cleaning, because the finish is very fragile. Avoid using harsh cleaners, as they can strip the paint. Soap and water, or diluted vinegar, are great options for cleaning. Just make sure to not scrub too hard, and to dry off the surface completely once finished. 

 

Laminate 

Laminate cabinets are my favorite, in terms of clean up! Since they’re not a traditional wood, there is no porous material to be worried about. Any all purpose cleaner will do the trick (Mrs. Meyers is my favorite), or even just water and a microfiber cloth to avoid damaging the finish is all it really takes to keep them shiny and beautiful! 

Stained wood

Stained wood cabinets are definitely a lot of work to keep them in good shape, but the finish and beauty is completely worth it. These cabinets need to be washed and oiled about twice a year. A good mixture for a cleaning solution is  six-eighths distilled white vinegar, one-eighth rubbing alcohol, and one-eighth water with a few drops of dish soap. With this mixture, and a cloth, just start wiping down! Once done, wipe down with a clean, damp cloth. It is as simple as that for the cleaning process. Finish with any furniture oil, and you’re on your way to keeping your cabinets gorgeous for many years to come. 

 

Good layout

The layout is the number-one feature home buyers are looking at in a kitchen. While cabinets and appliances can be changed, changing the whole layout of a kitchen after buying a home may not be in the cards for new home buyers. Having a poor layout will alienate a lot of potential buyers who will pass up on your home because they are looking for a more functional kitchen. 

 

Quality cabinetry 

Whether you are upgrading for yourself, or to sell, quality cabinetry is extremely important. Decide on a style and quality that will age well and withstand trends and changing tastes. This means to not pick anything too trendy. Trendy styles can look dated quickly, and don’t appeal to the masses. 

 

Keep flow in design

If you have shaker cabinets in your bathrooms and laundry room, it is best to use the same style cabinets in your kitchen. Having a mis-matched home is unappealing to buyers. 

Choose light colors

Unfortunately dark kitchens are out. People are looking for “light and bright”, which makes sense! Lighter spaces appear larger and keep a space more illuminated. While dark kitchens can be gorgeous, the lighter the better in terms of resale. 

Farmhouse kitchens

A homey vibe based on old country farmhouses. This kitchen style focuses on the lifestyle of living off the land. It is designed around family, wholesome living and still it offers functionality and comfort. Wide sinks, bright cabinets and classic touches are what make this style so loved.

 

Modern kitchens

Modern is extremely relative, as modern changes with the times. However, in 2018 we consider modern to be sleek, with sharp horizontal lines. Smooth, frameless, cabinets accented beautifully with sleek appliances and a lack of visible hardware. With innovative technology to make your life more simple, modern kitchens seem to be a style that you will think is the norm in 3018 instead of 2018.

Traditional kitchens

Traditional kitchens are defined by their stunning details. These details include corbels, decorative legs and fancy moldings.  With a hint of old-world flavor, the traditional kitchen still gives the opportunity for the home owner to stamp their own print on this classic style. 

 

Transitional kitchens

Transitional kitchen are a great mix. The warmth of a more traditional kitchen and the clean, simple lines of a slightly more modern or contemporary kitchen. Transitional spaces are a great compromise between conflicting design tastes. It gives a large amount of wiggle room as it is hard to make this style look bad.