Looking for Advice - Honey Oak, paint/stain, granite?
#1
02-03-17, 09:36 AM
Looking for Advice - Honey Oak, paint/stain, granite?
Hello, I am looking to renovate my kitchen on a budget. I know I want to replace my blue countertops and have estimates for 2500 installed for base-level granite. I am looking at something like giallo ornamental.
I also, like everyone it seems, dislike my honey oak cabinets. I have used general finishes gel stain before and am debating staining the cabinets. I got an estimate for painting and it was way beyond my budget (3600$ and hoping to spend 1500 or less).
I am also planning to sell the house within 5 years and have to think about resale. What would you recommend for renovating on a budget? Gel stain (java or another color or is that out of style for resale?) or leave them (does anyone actually like oak) and put on pulls? Thanks for any ideas!!!
I also, like everyone it seems, dislike my honey oak cabinets. I have used general finishes gel stain before and am debating staining the cabinets. I got an estimate for painting and it was way beyond my budget (3600$ and hoping to spend 1500 or less).
I am also planning to sell the house within 5 years and have to think about resale. What would you recommend for renovating on a budget? Gel stain (java or another color or is that out of style for resale?) or leave them (does anyone actually like oak) and put on pulls? Thanks for any ideas!!!
#2
02-03-17, 09:39 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
I would take one of the doors to a cabinet shop and see what new door they could make. I like the oak look but doors and drawer faces look plain.
#3
02-03-17, 09:44 AM
I like the honey oak 
Probably the easiest/quickest way to change the look of the cabinets would be sand it lightly and apply a tinted poly like Minwax's PolyShades. There is a limit on how dark you can go and still retain the grain. Care must be used when applying it as it doesn't touch up and lap marks, drips/runs, missed spots will all show!
Probably the easiest/quickest way to change the look of the cabinets would be sand it lightly and apply a tinted poly like Minwax's PolyShades. There is a limit on how dark you can go and still retain the grain. Care must be used when applying it as it doesn't touch up and lap marks, drips/runs, missed spots will all show!
#4
02-03-17, 09:46 AM
Group Moderator
I said in the other forum where you posted this that I would only replace the countertops but I would replace the sink as well with an undermount.
#5
02-03-17, 11:02 AM
Group Moderator
They look fine. I would not risk doing a bad diy finish on them and making them look even worse.
#6
02-03-17, 11:38 AM
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I think your base cabinets look OK and pretty typical.
The problem IMO is the uppers look plain. The microwave also looks too low.
Here's a few ideas to consider, the cost would be somewhat reasonable for what you're gaining:
- A Solid Surface counter top with full tile splash. The integrated sinks are nice if you can afford it, there's no caulk to deal with.
- New arched doors for the uppers. Before measuring for new doors I would modify the upper cabinets by cutting out all the middle stiles.
Cutting out the stiles will give you more room. The doors will also butt at the center rather than the 2" gap/reveal.
- I would also modify the cabinet above the range by cutting out the middle stile and shortening the height to about 33" above the counter height.
Staining the new doors to match should be fairly easy.
The problem IMO is the uppers look plain. The microwave also looks too low.
Here's a few ideas to consider, the cost would be somewhat reasonable for what you're gaining:
- A Solid Surface counter top with full tile splash. The integrated sinks are nice if you can afford it, there's no caulk to deal with.
- New arched doors for the uppers. Before measuring for new doors I would modify the upper cabinets by cutting out all the middle stiles.
Cutting out the stiles will give you more room. The doors will also butt at the center rather than the 2" gap/reveal.
- I would also modify the cabinet above the range by cutting out the middle stile and shortening the height to about 33" above the counter height.
Staining the new doors to match should be fairly easy.
