Painted vs. Stained Cabinets: Which Fits Your Style Best?

By: Andrew Saladino | 6 min
May 11th, 2023

Whether you're purchasing brand-new kitchen cabinets or you're considering refinishing your existing cabinets, the decision between a painted vs. stained finish depends on more than just your style. Both painted cabinets and stained cabinets can deliver stunning visual appeal and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, but there are a number of factors to consider when choosing between the two.

We weighed the pros and cons of painted vs. stained cabinets to help you choose a cabinet finish that flawlessly suits your design.

Painted vs. Stained Cabinets: What's the Difference?

While there are obvious differences between paint vs. stain, the pros and cons go beyond personal preference. Here's a quick side-by-side comparison of painted and stained cabinets.

Which Is More Popular, Stained or Painted Cabinets?

Painted cabinets are favored by modern and contemporary designers, but stained cabinets will forever be a mainstay in transitional and traditional home styles. Most kitchens and bathrooms today feature painted cabinets because painted medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or particle board cabinets are less expensive than solid wood cabinets.

Painted Cabinets: Pros and Cons

Painted cabinets are the perfect solution for homeowners looking to incorporate bold statement colors or a modern, minimalist design in their kitchen or bathroom.

If you are considering purchasing painted cabinets or repainting outdated cabinets in your home, the advantages to this type of cabinet finish include:

• Clean aesthetic: From classic all-white kitchens to contemporary grays and muted blues, painted cabinets give your kitchen a clean, flawless finish perfect for modern home designs.
• Easier application: For homes with MDF cabinets, it is wise to consider painting over staining. Paint adheres better to MDF construction than stain and can mask the fact that your cabinets aren't real wood.
• Customizable colors: The sky's the limit when choosing a kitchen cabinet paint color! From crisp whites to spunky teals or dramatic reds, you can easily influence the look and feel of your kitchen with painted cabinetry.

While painted cabinets definitely have a long list of benefits, there are still a few drawbacks to choosing this style over a more traditional stained cabinet design. You'll want to keep the following in the mind when weighing the pros and cons of painted cabinets:

• Hides wood texture: The innate thickness of paint means that the fine details, including wood grain, knots, and other character features will be more hidden with painted cabinets.
• More expensive than stained cabinets: Painted wood cabinets are typically 10%-15% more expensive than stained wood cabinets. However, you could save some money by opting for MDF painted cabinets instead.
• Difficult to touch up: Scratches and chips are a reality with painted cabinets, and if you purchased your cabinets already painted, it can be a challenge to find a matching color to repair the damage.
• Doesn't last as long as stain: Painted cabinets will likely need to be refinished every 10 years - twice as often as stained cabinets.

Which Paint Is Best for Kitchen Cabinets?

Your kitchens and bathrooms are two of your home's most highly trafficked areas, so durable cabinet paint is a must. We recommend an oil-based paint or water-based paint with an acrylic enamel formula for long-lasting wear. Also be sure that the paint you choose is waterproof or water-resistant, so steam from the shower or kitchen sink won't create bubbles or make it peel.

Stained Cabinets: Pros and Cons

When you think of traditional, timeless kitchen cabinets, stained cabinets are what likely comes to mind - and for good reason. Stained cabinets showcase the intrinsic beauty of natural wood grain and can blend well with other bold features of a kitchen space. Advantages of choosing stained cabinets over painted options include:

• Highlights wood texture: Stain is ideal for showcasing the character of the wood, which is a major bonus for many homeowners. With a thinner consistency, stain allows the wood's natural knots, grain, and stripes to shine through.
• Easy touch-ups: Repairing small scratches or imperfections is much easier with stained vs. painted cabinets. Stain blends well when applied to damaged areas, and finding an exact match isn't as big of a concern.
• Less expensive than painted cabinets: If you're set on solid wood or wood veneer cabinets for your remodel, stain is a more budget-friendly finish. However, you won't be able to find cheaper engineered wood stained cabinets.
• Lasts longer than paint: Stained cabinets will look amazing for up to 30 years with proper care.

Like painted cabinets, there are also drawbacks to having stained cabinetry in a home kitchen:

• Not suited for engineered wood: Stain isn't ideal for MDF cabinets, as this type of cabinet material doesn't stain well.
• Won't be able to hide major damage: If you have significant damage or blemishes, stains will only highlight them.
• May require more maintenance: Dark stains have a tendency to show dust and dirt, requiring more cleaning and upkeep.

How To Choose Between Painted vs. Stained Cabinets

Whether you choose painted cabinets or classic stained cabinetry, the best decision for you depends on what you want to get out of your remodel. Here are a few key factors to consider before your cabinet refresh.

Think About Your Style

Your personal preference plays an obvious role when deciding between cabinet finishes. Prefer a modern, minimalistic finish? Or maybe a bold pop of color to offset a subtle color palette? Painted cabinets offer limitless color options in sleek, smooth finishes that'll complement any contemporary kitchen.

On the other hand, stained wood cabinets have remained a staple in traditional and transitional kitchen design, exuding luxury and warmth that may be difficult to replicate with paint. From classic chestnut to rich mahogany, stained cabinets also add an organic element that pairs beautifully with modern white countertops and trending cabinet hardware.

Keep Budget in Mind

The total cost of new kitchen cabinets will really depend on the cabinet material you choose -not so much the cabinet finish. However, painted wood cabinets are typically more expensive than stained wood cabinets since the painting process takes quite a bit longer.

However, if you prefer cabinets with a painted finish, you could choose painted MDF or HDF cabinets as a budget-friendly alternative to solid wood. You could also opt for engineered wood cabinets with a wood veneer finish for a cost-effective option for stained solid wood cabinets.

Consider Your Existing Cabinet Materials

Like we mentioned above, not all cabinet materials can be stained. If you're working with your existing cabinets, paint (or cabinet refacing) may be the only option if they're composed of MDF, HDF, or particle board.

Similarly, if your existing cabinets are finished with a nonporous material like glaze or laminate, prepping the surface for paint can be difficult and time-consuming.

Weigh the Pros and Cons of DIY

If you're planning on taking on your cabinet makeover yourself, there are a few important factors to consider before you DIY.

While staining your cabinets is typically easier and cheaper than painting, both processes are incredibly time-consuming. Depending on the size of your kitchen, it could take up to three weeks to strip, prep, and refinish every cabinet and cabinet box.

Refinishing your cabinets also requires supplies you may not have on hand, such as sanding equipment, primer, paintbrushes, and drop clothes. Painting supplies will cost you between $200 and $300, while supplies for cabinet staining range between $100 and $150.

If you have no experience with paint or stain, you can hire a professional to refinish your cabinets. It'll take more time and money to professionally paint your cabinets compared to stain, but the outcome will likely be worth it. Plus, you're still saving money by refinishing your cabinets vs. buying new ones.

Remember Resale Value

Newly painted or stained cabinets will increase home value, but some styles will do so more than others. Painted cabinets in trendy colors like white or navy blue will have more impact on home value compared to cabinets painted in offbeat colors.

High-quality stained wood cabinets will also fetch a high price on the market, namely for their timeless design and durability.

If you're ready to start shopping for your new cabinets, our NKBA-certified design team is available to help you choose a kitchen layout and cabinet style that fits your space perfectly.

Painted vs. Stained Cabinets FAQs

Still on the fence about whether to choose painted or stained cabinets? We answered a few of the most frequently asked questions to help you decide.

How much does it cost for professional cabinet painting vs. staining?

Professional cabinet painting can cost between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the size of your kitchen. Cabinet staining is a bit cheaper at $1,800-$4,000.

Are stained or painted cabinets more durable?

Both stained and painted cabinets are durable, but one may hold up better to certain elements than the other.

For example, stained cabinets won't chip or flake like painted cabinets since the stain soaks into the wood. However, stained cabinets may fade with exposure to sunlight.

Is paint or stain better for bathroom cabinets?

In humid or wet environments like a bathroom, painted MDF cabinets will hold up better than stained wood cabinets. Solid wood cabinets are not as moisture-resistant as most engineered cabinet materials.

Choosing between painted vs. stained cabinets ultimately comes down to personal preference, style, budget, and function. Both styles have their own unique characteristics that'll lend themselves perfectly to your dream kitchen design.

Ready to start shopping for your new cabinets? Check out our selection of high-quality RTA cabinets and pre-assembled cabinets to find a style and finish you'll love for years to come.