I am selling my condo. Should I refinish these wooden kitchen cabinets with white paint or leave them as is?

Question

You could find a picture of the kitchen here:

http://www.realtor.com/map/search/listingdetail.aspx?zp=10918&mnp=22&mxp=21&typ=7&sid=db9a3b7541454882becae062c993ba9c&lid=1100762093&lsn=8&srcnt=17

I was originally thinking of refacing the cabinets but it would end up being close to $8,000. Then I started looking into refinishing. I got an estimate from a painter which was still more than I was willing to pay, and then did some research online and found it's a relatively simple DIY project.

I think painting the cabinets white will make the tiny kitchen with no windows appear larger and brighter... but some family members are saying the wood looks nice as is and painting them will take away from their value.

Answer 1

I am a kitchen designer & my advise is to leave them as they are - the kitchen seems pretty bright anyway.  I agree with a previous poster on the new countertop idea.  There are many affordable & attractive laminate countertop options out there.  It seems as if you have a galley kitchen, so you could use a post-form laminate top easily (rounded edges).  Refacing is complicated as you not only would have to replace the doors, but any other exposed areas such as face frames & sides, etc.  Since you are selling, there are other more affordable ways to spruce it up.  When you have people looking, make sure you have the counters cleared off & perhaps some fresh flowers in a vase and/or some nice pottery or bowls on the counters.  Check out Wilson Art's or Formica's websites - I have included links below.  Good luck!

Answer 2

Follow family advice.  Spruce up the wood with Old English Scratch Cover - it renews them wonderfully.  You could also replace the k***s (can't tell if you have them or not, or what they might look like now).  What you need to do is paint those white walls!  It always amazes me that people live with those - it drives me crazy.  Use a neutral color - a taupe, a deep tan, or a subdued goldish yellow (any of these will look good with the cabinet wood color).  Staging your condo will make it stand out so if you have a friend with an eye for decorating, ask for help.  Update your bedding.  Change the childish look of the second bedroom.

Answer 3

I suggest spending the money on new brighter countertop. That will solve your problem. It looks to be butcherblock or something dark. You could probably have it done for under $1000 and it'll definately brighten up your small kitchen.  

Be sure and pick a neutral tone.......usually like a beige/white combo or light tan color. It'll go with white walls and new buyers will be able to see themselves painting the walls almost any color to match it.

Answer 4

In my opinion, i think leaving the cabinets that way is better. painting them white will make it seem as if the kitchen is 'overdone'.  

Answer 5

No don't paint the cabinets!!! People like wood, I don't care what HGTV says. If you want those cabinets to look more expensive and get you more money that buy some replacement doors yourself, they are not expensive and you cn get a color close to the cabinets themselves.

http://www.rhcdoors.com/

replacement kitchen cabinet doors

http://www.ameradoor.com/

Plus you can look on ebay they have some really good prices on replacement doors

http://home.shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=do...