Do you paint your kitchen cabinets in a rental?

Question

If you have the option to paint or stain your kitchen cabinets in a rental, what do you do?

Staining seems like less maintenance, while paint will be tougher to clean and could chip/scratch over time. Seems like staining would be the way to go for less maintenance, although I like the look of painted cabinets.

I'll be making this decision soon on my BRRRR,  so I thought I'd poll the audience.

Thanks!

Dawn P. · Answer

Paint! I use the SW Pro Classic also, and it cleans up very well. I agree with the other comments that it looks more modern and appeals to the HGTV crowd. Some before and afters:

Dawn P. · Answer

@Colleen F. Yeah, I ripped down some 1/4" plywood into 2 1/4" strips and tacked it on with a bit of wood glue and brad nails. Fill any gaps with wood filler, sand/prime/paint. They're not true shakers, of course, but they have the same look and are a lot cheaper than buying new doors!

Sharlene Mulchandani · Answer

@Clint G. I personally prefer painted cabinets rather than staining them. Painted cabinets, tend to offer a clean, smooth and sleek aesthetic. Like @Jon Crosby mentioned, with the right paint these can hold up pretty well.

Dawn P. · Answer

I did this kitchen about five years ago the same way, the paint has held up great through toddlers, dogs, and a clean freak tenant who scrubbed the cabinets down with vinegar several times a week, lol.

Jon Crosby · Answer

If you get the right paint, I think it can go a long way...we painted ours with Pro Classic (Sherwin Williams) 5 years ago and yes it has 'some' chips but has held up very well in our home and with 2 kids.

Account Closed · Answer

@Clint G.

Paint. And 90% of success is in the prep. Insl-x cabinet coat is extremely forgiving for amateur folks. I use it for cabs, doors, trim everywhere.

Colleen F. · Answer

@Dawn P.   they look great. Much better then some attempts i have seen.  I am not a fan of painted but may try this for some upper cabinets we have in one of our units.  We replace lowers due to rotting in the sink cabinet but couldn't do the uppers at that time for a couple reasons.

If I am replacing I do stained. yes, a lot of younger people like white but it may require more touch up between tenants. For me it really needs to fit the cabinet and the house.  Those arch cabinets painted just look odd. White shaker looks good. I do think the white trend will end some day soon.

Natalie Schanne · Answer

@Clint G. - depends who your target audience is. I see model new homes for sale for 55+ that feature dark stained cabinets. Millennials seem to prefer white cabinets whether they’re painted or new. My home’s new white finish cabinets aren’t wearing very well. Any scrape and it’s beige wood look underneath. I wish I had wood color cabinets with poly stain. My hardwood floors are perfect. Touching up any paint all the time isn’t my favorite idea. I have several doors in my home that have been painted multiple times by contractors and now have ugly paint drips that need to be sanded off. I’ve seen paint beads / drips on cabinet or trim details that don’t make it nearly as clean or sleek in person as you would like to believe. That’s why I think that so called proper cabinet painting is so expensive. Usually involves spraying for an even finish.

Vince Beusan · Answer

It's a great question, and really depends on the look you are going for, and the level of maintenance you want.  Light color paint will show all finger prints and need to be retouched every so often.  A stained look will last longer than painting, and "hides more fingerprints".  Prep of the surface is key, if you go from staining to painting.  Prepping and sanding of the coves and grooves on cabinets is key to good adhesion of the paint &, but note it is very time consuming.

David P. · Answer

Whats the going rate for a professional to come sand/paint kitchen cabinets? I done a lot of paint work before but feel like this better left to the pros. Around in LA i got a few quotes and best was $2k for a 2300 sqft house kitchen. Trying to debate if i should paint or gut/install new cabinets.

Do you paint your kitchen cabinets in a rental?

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