Black, white and red kitchen: Should I paint the cabinets or keep their oak color?

Question

Here's a paint drawing of what the kitchen would like like with keeping the cabinets oak, like they are now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28994812@N06/2790222640/

I'm trying to decide if I should keep them oak, or perhaps paint them. But I think if I paint them white, it will be too much white, since our appliances are white as well. I could put a black trim on it or something. I have seen red cabinets as well, but they were a deeper red and all my accessories are a bright red, and I don't think bright red cabinets would look good either (of course if i did I would paint the wall white instead of red). What do you think?

It's kind of funny because my husband wanted to keep them oak at first, and I wanted to paint them. Then we thought about it, and we both changed our minds, and he wants to paint them, and I want to keep them oak. lol What to do??

Answer 1

I like them in oak! Also if you ever decide to redo the kitchen you can!

Answer 2

Is your kitchen already painted?  If not, paint the walls and leave the cabinets in oak.  Live with it for a bit.  (Sometimes inspiration comes to you after you see something for a while).

Chances are, you will opt to keep the cabinetry in its natural state.  Let the walls and kitchen appliances/accessories carry the color scheme.  

Liken it to a bedroom ~ just because you paint the walls and change the accessories doesn't mean you paint the 'furniture.'  Sometimes a natural wood provides the best balance in a space.

Answer 3

I hate oak, its pretty outdated. If you think white would be too much, paint the bases or frames black and doors & drawer fronts white.

The winner of Design Star this year on HGTV painted the kitchen cabinets bright red, I think the lower were black or espresso, then the uppers red.

If you do paint, make sure to use a primer first and then an enamel or get a really durable smooth finish.

Answer 4

You colud sand the cabinet doors and put on a clear varnish. This will lighten the oak and give it a slightly more modern look to go with the wh,red,blk colors.  Really cool blk or wrought iron pulls can also tie in the colors.

Answer 5

1] I like the oak - and if you get tired of red or black, it will go with dif colors

2] consider getting black or red cupboard k***s and drawer pulls.

[ be sure to save the old ones, in case you ever move! ]

Answer 6

Before I would paint any wood cupboards , I would really give it a lot of thoughts! If they were old and rather run down then I would but if they are new and in good shape my answer is no, you can work with what you have and make it work all you ned is add a bit of colourI will try to find some ideas for you ,keep looking at my answers I will up date.

Picture #1

http://www.thesexykitchen.com/images/bla...

#2

http://blog.designpublic.com/wp-content/...

#3

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Third...

I  love the red lights

http://images.scrippsweb.com/HGTV/2007/0...

#4

http://lh4.ggpht.com/Kerloas/R0wvIy6kI1I...

now there is a good idea you could make some toile seat covers and a valance for the window if you like!

http://www.housefabric.com/images/Produc...