14 Dec Is It Better To Paint or Stain Your Cabinets?

Whether you’re building a new home from the ground up or undergoing a renovation, a common question that we often hear is: “Is it better to paint or stain cabinets?” 

First off, there is no correct answer to this question, as it truly is a matter of aesthetic preference. Both options are durable and will help your cabinets look amazing for years to come! It really comes down more to the look you’re going for, but because we love a good ‘pro and con’ list, here are some things to keep in mind.

Painted Cabinets

Pros: 

• Paint offers a clean aesthetic
• You can get more colorful
• Applies better to MDF

Cons: 

• Hides character features in wood
• Paint usually costs more
• Harder to touch-up

If you’re looking for a crisp, all-white kitchen aesthetic, for example, paint is definitely the way to go. All paint colors will offer a sleek, clean finish and hide knotting and other character marks common in wooden cabinetry.

Paint is also a better choice if you’re working with MDF cabinets (like particle board), especially if you’re looking for a flawless finish. The same is true if you’re hoping to impart color into your space. Paint sticks to the surface of the wood, so the color you select will be prominent and vibrant, unlike a stain that seeps into the surface. 

Stained Cabinets

Pros: 

• Showcases more wood features
• Easier to touch-up
• Stain usually costs less

Cons: 

• Shows nearly all wood blemishes
• Doesn’t work well with MDF

If the look you’re going for requires you to see the knots and grains in your cabinetry, a stain is undoubtedly the way to go. Stains offer a great harmony in both color and texture, and the natural beauty of wood is enhanced by whichever color stain you choose.

This is especially true for woods like oak and hickory. It’s also easier to touch up with products like markers that can help fill in a ding or blend an imperfection.

Stained cabinetry is usually a more cost-effective route too. Typically, stained cabinets cost about 10-15% less than painted ones, which can equate to a lot of money depending on the size of your project. 

It is important to note that MDF cabinetry and stains usually don’t work very well together. This type of cabinetry can help homeowners save a lot of money during building or renovations, but the material doesn’t take stain as well as wood. So if you have your heart set on stained cabinetry and are looking to cut costs, you will probably have to look into another stainable material.

If you are considering building a custom home in the Marion, Cedar Rapids, or Iowa City area, please consider Dahl Custom Homes for your needs. We are experts at custom home construction and would love to discuss your project in more detail. Happy holidays!