Stained vs. Painted Cabinets: Which One Is Right for You?

If you’re new to custom cabinet design, you’ve probably been asked the question: painted or stained? Both options make for beautiful cabinets, but one might be better suited for your aesthetic and lifestyle.

What’s the difference between paint and stain? We’ll cover all the things you need to know about these applications and what would work better for your home. Continue reading to learn more about the difference between these two treatments, the benefits of both, and the reasons why you may choose one over the other.

What’s the Difference?

Painted and stained cabinets might sound similar, but they’re completely different from one another. The main difference between paint and stain is that paint sits on top of the surface and stain seeps into the surface, changing the actual color of the materials.

Paint also tends to be thicker and opaque, allowing you to choose bright, deep, and rich colors as there’s no pigment loss during application and drying. However, you can choose to reduce the opacity of the paint color if you’re looking to achieve a whitewashed look or a beachy vibe. Stain, on the other hand, changes the actual physicality of the wood, seeping in through the surface and effectively “staining” the boards. While stain does have pigment in it, it’s also mixed with a solvent and a binder.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Stained Cabinets

If you’re leaning more toward stained cabinets, there are plenty of advantages to choosing them over painted ones. Stained custom cabinets can give a more modest look to your kitchen than painted cabinets. The process doesn’t result in bright or pigmented colors, and instead, tends to enhance the natural beauty of the wood. It’s easy to apply and perfect if you want your decor to remain neutral or natural. You also don’t have to worry about chipping or reapplying anything. Stain is typically less costly than paint too, so it’s better if you’re on a budget.

However, staining cabinets does come with less color options. You also may have less control over how the final piece looks since staining tends to have a mind of its own. Each species of wood absorbs stains differently, so this is important to keep in mind if you’re staining more than one variety of wood. Hickory, for example, is a light wood but it’s grain is fairly dark. If you choose a lighter stain, it will enhance the natural look of the dark grain while brightening the rest of the wood. The same stain, however, will react differently to a piece of white oak, making them appear more sandy and even hiding the already lighter grain. The best way to approach staining wood is to just sample pieces before you commit to a specific stain.

Stain is an advantage if you’re looking for minimal design and you’re on a budget. It’s great for custom cabinets because the wood used will be high-quality and something you’ll want to show off.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Painted Cabinets

Painted cabinets can be a great way to unleash your creative side. Your color options are truly endless and you’re able to customize every part of the design process. You can choose between an endless amount of colors, allowing you to decide between a modern minimalist style or a farmhouse chic aesthetic.

Painted cabinets can make a space appear bold, even if you’re just choosing a neutral tone. Bright white cabinets paired with matte black hardware are a simple and effective way to modernize your home while still keeping the space muted. If you choose to paint your cabinets, however, you will need to ensure that the surface is primed first. Paint is also better used on MDF as the material takes on pigment a lot better than other types of wood.

The disadvantages, however, include price and coverage. Paint can be expensive depending on the size of the custom cabinets you choose. Also, paint will cover all the natural features that appear on wood. Depending on your personal preference, this could be either an advantage or disadvantage, so it’s good to think about before making your decision.

Customize Your Cabinets Today

Paint and stain are both great options for your custom cabinets and offer advantages and disadvantages. What it really boils down to is whether or not you want to keep the natural look of the wood on your cabinets, or you want to play around with color. Painting your cabinets a deep eggplant will show off your bold and creative side, while staining them will enhance the natural knots and grain in the wood, giving your kitchen a natural feel.

If you’re not sure which one is right for you, or you have more questions about paint and stains, reach out to one of our professionals. We’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.