4 Men 1 Lady

a lifestyle blog about the persuit of bringing beauty to a house full of men.

To paint or not to paint…

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As you may know, this bathroom is getting a facelift.
Problem is this cherry cabinet. It’s just getting in the way of a cohesive look.

I would LOVE to paint the cabinet a black lacquer just like these bookcase and shelves featured on Little Green Notebook today.

So here’s the problem. We paid a pretty penny to upgrade these cabinets when we bought the home 2 years ago. I never really liked them to begin with but the alternative option choices were…let’s just say…unacceptable.

Would painting this cabinet be good or bad for resale? (No, we don’t have plans to move).

To paint or not to paint…that is the question.

Input please.

Comments

  2. If you don’t have any plans to move, then do what makes you happy. I think black cabinets are so in right now that it wouldn’t turn anyone off. If you really don’t want to paint, then try some dark paste wax. You can take a ton of the red out of the cabinets and give them a much darker finish with just the wax. I used it on my really blonde maple cabinets to give them a nice mellow honey color and it worked great. Hugs, Marty

  5. I worry about resale value everytime I start a project. But I come to the conclusion I am the one that is living with it right now and I want to enjoy where I live. Then the new owner can repaint it if they do not like it. I say go for it!

  9. If you’re not planning to move within the next 5-10 years, I’d say pick up the paint brush if that’s what will make you love the space. Personally I might consider staining the cabinets a dark, chocolate brown if that were feasible and went with the design aesthetic you’re going for. I think staining them darker would be a smarter move for resale, but, again, do whatever makes your skirt fly up!

  10. PAINT. I love the idea of black lacquer. And those cabinets are fine, but you’re right: they’re nothing special. I can’t imagine it would affect your bottom line one way or another.

    And I totally feel you on the lukewarm upgrades….semi-custom can def have its frustrations….

  16. go with your heart. the cabinet may be nice as is, but you already have so many other personalized touches in your home (like your fab entryway), that they may EXPECT something outstanding in the bathroom. whatever you do, it will be fabulous as always. if i were you, i wouldn’t worry about resale if you have no plans to move now.

  22. Paint! If you ever do sell, whoever buys your house will love what you did to the rest and will wonder why you didn’t leave your mark on those cabinets…
    And besides, you guys will love it and that’s what matters most!

    Laura Lynn

  23. I vote with everyone else to paint. A cohesive look is more important for resale – especially if it’s going to make you happy while you’re there.

  25. Paint paint paint! I understand your worries about resale, even if you don’t plan on moving, but one painted cabinet in the bathroom isn’t going to hurt you…chances are a buyer will love it!

  26. Paint!

    Situations when people who shouldn’t paint (e.g. it would negatively affect resale) are:

    a) the as-is condition is valuable (ahem, anything offered by a builder automatically is not part of this category)

    b) the paint (color, finish) would clash horribly with the rest of the home’s decor

    c) the painter has poor skills.

    Case in point: my kitchen cabs, in which I can see food stains *under* the protective coating (as well as flakes of undissolved shallac and drips).

    Have fun!

  27. Not that this is offering a different opinion or anything but… paint it! I’m always for painting and as a renter, I wish I had that option! Can’t wait to see the ”afters” on this one! 🙂

  28. Please paint so that we can have a DIY for our “upgraded because we had no better alternative” cabinets too! 🙂 Can’t wait!

  29. PAINT. You’ll worry about resale when the time comes to resell, and you’ll enjoy your beautiful house just how YOU like it until then.

  30. I say paint!!! What gets you the most money at resale is a well staged home where people can imagine themselves living in your space. As long as the bathroom looks good when you are done, then you shouldn’t have to worry about resale repercussions!

  31. Paint, paint, paint it will be wonderful, why go to the trouble of a face lift if you don’t change the one thing you really don’t like any how. If the new owner does not like them they can change them. Live in your home and enjoy it!! Kathysue

  40. DO IT! I think it is still neutral enough to not affect resale. For me as long as it is versatile and not taste specific then it will be fine.

    The laquer sounds very interesting!

  43. Same situation here! I love the wood on our cabinets but they’re all over the house. I had my cabinets taped, sander bought, doors taken off and I couldn’t bring myself to paint over the wood.

  46. PAINT! I think your sense of style is awesome and you know what will work best. If you think the cabinet is not allowing the room to pull together, then others will see that as well… Also, I used to sell new construction homes and painted white cabinetry was a huge upgrade. So if you go to sell your home and you tried to strip it back to wood but couldn’t, you could always repaint it cream or white. Do what you heart tells you 🙂

  47. i ditto everyone. paint it,girl. it would be different if you didn’t have mad skill and a great eye for design. you pay a mortgage every month, so do it your way because you will be so happy you did!

    can’t wait to see what you do!

  48. Do it! I just painted my kitchen cabinets black and they are lovely. I have left over paint so I decided to paint my bathroom cabinets black also. You will love it!

    By the way, i love your blog and your design ideas.

  49. Do it! I just painted my kitchen cabinets black and they are lovely. I have left over paint so I decided to paint my bathroom cabinets black also. You will love it!

    By the way, i love your blog and your design ideas.

  50. Do it! I just painted my kitchen cabinets black and they are lovely. I have left over paint so I decided to paint my bathroom cabinets black also. You will love it!

    By the way, i love your blog and your design ideas.

  51. Do it! I just painted my kitchen cabinets black and they are lovely. I have left over paint so I decided to paint my bathroom cabinets black also. You will love it!

    By the way, i love your blog and your design ideas.

  52. Do it! I just painted my kitchen cabinets black and they are lovely. I have left over paint so I decided to paint my bathroom cabinets black also. You will love it!

    By the way, i love your blog and your design ideas.

  53. do it! you can put your won spin on the bathroom so much easier if you paint the cabinets! this is the perfect small space to make a BIG impact!

  57. In my opinion, is one painted cabinet going to keep someone from buying your house if you need to sell it? Paint the cabinet if it makes you happy. 🙂

  59. PAINT!!! if done well, painted furniture increases the value of a home. go for it! (this coming from a home stager).

  61. Do not paint over cherry~! Especially in a bathroom that’s wet so much of the time. Paint is definitely perceived as lower class than cherry wood. Change out the bathroom curtain and fixtures if you need to accommodate. I am sure you can come up with something beautiful and luxurious that will make you happy. Paint is just not practical in this situation. You were right to ask.

  62. PAINT! What’s the point of living with cabinets you’re just going to keep painting in your head every time you see them, right? I just think if it makes you happy, DO IT!

  64. I’m going through the same dilemma with my wood kitchen cabinets- to paint or not to paint! I think you should paint your bathroom cabinets (and then share the instructions ; )

  69. I vote RE-STAINING them to the near black color (very beautiful look! Staining lasts longer than paint that can peel off.
    I stained my wood dresser to black and LOVE it, but painted my kitchen cabinets an ivory… but wasn’t pleased with them. They bubbled & peeled with water and time. Just a thought! 😉

  70. I painted my bath cabinet black and have loved it ever since. You could try what another poster suggested and restain them. Avoid PolyShades, but I have heard good things about General Finishes. I also added faux legs under the toe kick of my cabinet (premade from Home Depot) and it really makes the cabinet look custom, rather than builder stock. They are in the moulding section.

  71. I have the same problem with my kitchen cabinets. They’re too dark for my taste in comparison to the floor and granite. But, the alternative was hideous. I’m painting my island as soon as I get the motivation to clean the mess. I say PAINT!
    xoxo
    Lila Ferraro

  73. paint! I painted our 70s builder-grade vanities in our old condo, and had no problems with moisture. Just two weeks ago I painted the bathroom vanity in the apartment we are in now. It looks a thousand times better. I don’t think anyone will be offended by a tastefully done paint job in the event you ever decide to move.

  81. Hi, Michelle. I’m Danielle. It’s nice to meet you. Since you really don’t know me, you probably shouldn’t take my word for this, but I’ll pass it on anyway.

    Here’s my belief:
    1. You have great taste. If your gut tells you to do it, do it.
    2. Of all the people I know who have painted their cabinets, I’ve never ever heard of anyone regretting it.
    3. It’s your house, and you are the one living there. If you don’t like your bathroom cabinet after you paint it, then paint it again.

    Good Luck, chica.

  82. PAINT!!!
    I just did my kitchen — love it!

    One recommendation from a family of painters…oil based enamel. It’s harder to work with (especially for a girl who loves spray paint :), but the wear will be 10 times better than latex. Just do it when you can open a window!

  83. Paint them please! Your bathroom has a lovely high cieling. Consider taking the shower curtain up to full height. The long length will look elegant. Try that shower curtain Decor8 used at her place. It’s white with a frilly bit at the bottom. Quiet lovely. Lolita

It is nice to meet you!

Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!

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