Having to do a major remodel on a kitchen and extra room of a 1940's home that has been a rental for many years. This home was past due for this renovation. Stopped at the local HD to chat about their kitchen cabinets and she informs me that the wood cabinets are out of vogue.

I know I haven't been in the market for cabinets in quite some time, but most of the wood look (to me) seems so much richer and nicer than the painted grays or whites. After this one is done I was even considering putting it up for sale so I would rather not do something stupid. But just not sure I can bring myself to purchase something that just doesn't do it for me.

Check out Rta cabinet store. I put basic oak in rentals unless I can get a sale price on another style. Too trendy and they'll be dated faster than oak.

Oak is awful.

White kitchens are timeless.

I like wood also. But I would choose maple over oak for 2 reasons:

1. It looks beautiful and is smooth unlike oak which is porous.

2. Because it is smooth, it paints nicely in case you wanted to paint it at a later date.

If you are considering putting it up for sale, will it be for sale as a rental, or owner occupied? Ask yourself what the price point is (low, high, middle income) That makes a big difference in what to put in. In my area, the houses that are older get people who want that style, era, look or someone that can't afford the brand new high cost.

For a rental, Oak is fine, it holds up, not expensive, and can easily be painted if needed or just re- polyurethaned. Yes oak has a heavy grain, but even painted that grain shows a true wood cabinet underneath and it will also take a glaze nicely.

Personally, I am not fond of white kitchens. Hard to keep clean, stark, without character. But I know lots of people do like them.

If thinking of selling white is the safe choice and most popular.

I myself am still having a hard time accepting white cabinets. Part of it is because growing up white cabinets were a big downgrade. Cheaper wood and cheaper to finish. Most of the time they were in homes people could not afford to replace or refinish crappy cabinets. So they painted them white.

And I also think wood looks more expensive and richer.

But I also know the numbers show most dont agree with me. White is now still the most popular.

But I am seeing more mid tone brown stain cabinets in very high end homes. So hope it is changing.

Thanks everyone for your replies and reasoning.

I am a designer at HD also. I have a slightly different take.

No gray - that is a trend color.

I’d have to say that oak is a look that is from the 80’s. I get really strong negative responses to it. Mostly the only people I sell oak to are people who want a better cabinet so will choose oak because it is my absolute lowest price point after the in-stock cabinets. If you are going to sell you should completely avoid oak, particularly one with a medium color tone that tends to an orange color. (I do like oak, particularly as a natural finish or quartersawn. But it is not a customer favorite.)

White is a color that probably will age well. But a painted cabinet door is much more subject to finish damage than a stained door. A white thermofoil may hold up better than a painted one but is subject to yellowing or heat damage. Several companies offer other types of finishes that look like paint. American Woodmark has Duraform, which is a polypropylene, and Masterbrand cabinets has Purestyle. These do not require a heat shield and will be a durable paint look finish.

There appears to be a slow move back towards wood finishes, especially lighter tones. And some movement away from a shaker door.

And i’ve spent a lot of time considering what cabinets I’ll put in when I get to kitchens. And do not have an answer. Since I want cabinets that will hold up I think my minimum is a dovetailed drawer box. Kraftmaid is tempting because of their core guard sink base (plastic resin sides, back, and bottom), but I don’t think I want to spend that much.

I don't see what the problem is with oak?

J (FL) I understand why you wonder what is wrong with Oak. I think oak is a beautiful wood. But it is not appreciated at this time.

People equate oak with the honey oak that tended to turn orangey from the 80’s and 90’s. No one wants that. Mostly they want painted, white or gray.