Looking to update my kitchen in my lake house – can I stain my mismatched wooden cabinets to match or do I have to paint them?
Asked by Skol Zolotnickiy 
2 weeks ago
Last Updated: May 4, 2024
So, I bought this cute little lake house last year and I could really use some tips on sprucing up the kitchen. The wooden cabinets are nice, but they’re not all the same color – especially around the sink area. Do you think I could stain them to match or should I just go ahead and paint them instead? I’m also thinking about swapping out the tiles and getting new countertops. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
All-In-One Paint by Heirloom Traditions is really great! Super simple to use and provides excellent coverage. You should definitely get a sample jar to test it out.
They have a QR code on their page since I can’t tag them here.
I totally agree! This paint is amazing – super durable and forgiving.
What if you just painted the lower cabinets? The flooring seems to be in good shape.
Reddit.com/tvtoohigh
When staining, you’ll need to sand away all the old finishes. It’s better to either replace the doors or paint them. Also, if you’re considering new countertops, check inside your cabinets first to ensure they can support the added weight of granite or quartz
I personally think using a tinted stain would look great. Plus, it seems like you can apply new stain over old without having to sand it down.
Hey , have you ever tried achieving a consistent stain tone when applying it over two different stain colors or even two different types of wood (like mismatched cabinet brands)?
Totally agree with you, . However, they probably wouldn’t be able to pull it off if there’s a clear coat on top, which there most likely is…
You know, , I have no clue about this, but there are plenty of articles and YouTube videos demonstrating how it’s done. Check out this one from Minwax.
“Minwax® PolyShades® offers a simple way to alter the color of your wood that is already stained or finished with polyurethane. No need for stripping or intense sanding to get rid of the old finish!”
https://www.minwax.com/en/wood-stain-color-guide/custom-color-stains#:~:text=Minwax%C2%AE%20PolyShades%C2%AE%20is,to%20remove%20the%20old%20finish!
Hey, I heard that claims you can achieve it with a polyurethane coat.
If you don’t want to strip, you can stain them using a technique called toning. By adding water-based stain to a clear poly and spraying on light coats, you can achieve the color you want. Painting is another option, as long as it’s done correctly. While this group tends to favor heirloom paint, it may not be the most durable option. As someone who refinishes cabinets professionally, I’ve encountered many DIY paint jobs that had to be stripped down.
Hey , can you explain how to differentiate between water-based and oil-based stains for someone who is new to staining?
If the mismatch bothers you, I wouldn’t recommend attempting to match the stain
Paint them so they match the color, add some backsplash, and upgrade the countertops
Sand the surface using a sanding sponge, then vacuum before applying a toner coat made of stain and polyurethane mix. Use a low volume sprayer or HVLP to apply as many coats as needed to achieve the desired tone. If you’re new to this, keep in mind that simply staining and matching may be difficult without prior experience.
Check out Julie Jones’ Facebook videos! She’s a talented interior designer who creates amazing décor with maple cabinets. Lots of fantastic inspiration.
You have the option of sanding them down to the bare wood and applying a stain. The color will match, however, if they are not the same type of wood, the texture will always be different.
To start, clean up the surfaces. This will help you see things in a new light and make a more informed decision that will last. When painting or staining anything in a kitchen or bathroom, especially wood, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean the surface first. Cooking oil, grease, and soap scum accumulate over the years and must be removed before painting. Sanding alone won’t remove all the grease, oil, and scum. Use a mixture of Purple Power and water to clean the surfaces before painting. Be sure to use paper towels for wiping, as cloth rags can push the crud around. After cleaning, remove any lacquer or varnish with denatured alcohol and steel wool before sanding. If you want to lighten the wood, polish it with hydrogen peroxide.
The stains may be different, but upon zooming in, they all appear to be oak. Stripping and restaining is likely your best option. I’ve seen some great results with gel stain, which is much easier for less experienced woodworkers, but also some not so great. I recommend watching plenty of YouTube videos.
Why not try painting the counter black and then painting the base of the cabinet black with white doors? You can distress them by sanding spots off. Updating the hardware can do wonders as well.
If it were me, I’d paint the lower cabinets and keep the upper ones stained. Usually, people do it the other way around by painting the upper cabinets, but the wood in the lower cabinets doesn’t seem to go well with the floor colors.
I believe this is a fantastic idea, .
I’m curious how it would turn out if they only painted the doors…
Personally, I feel like it might be too busy, but then again, I’m a minimalist. There’s already a lot happening on the floor. Painting kitchen cabinets can be tricky, especially the doors – the frames are pretty straightforward to paint.
You know, none of those really appeal to me – maybe if there was more of the face frame and cabinet side showing. Not sure…
With so many patterns on your floor, painting them might be a good idea. Using a lighter color with less wood tones could really open up the space.
Matching the stain will be impossible. Painting seems like the most practical choice.
Could we take a look at the entire kitchen?