Thinking of having kitchen units painted- mad or ok?

[KitchenCrackers]

In a quandary here.

Around 18 years ago I had my kitchen done by John Lewis ( the shop) in pale solid maple wood, with granite worktops.

I know that it looks dated now as 'real' wood is not fashionable and everyone has painted kitchens, usually in pale grey/white etc.

My kitchen is very dark anyway ( small windows) and I think having lighter units would work better.

BUT they were expensive, I don't want to rip them out BUT if I have them professionally painted, that's it- I can't go back!

WWYD?

And if anyone can recommend a professional kitchen cupboard painter within the Home Counties (north) that would be great.

Please don’t do grey. It already looks so dated in all the Rightmove listings.

Are the units a modern shape? Because some of the old fashioned ones painted, even if done well, look even worse than if they’d just been left wood. I’ve spent a lot of time on RM lately!

Actually, i think real wood is coming back, have a look on instagram. You may just need to refinish it and get a joiner to change the mouldings.

Darker granite although beautiful is very dated now.

I painted my real wood kitchen and I love it , it was a dark oak color before and I've never liked it

We moved and can't afford to replace the kitchen so painted it a pale blue colour from horrible dark mahogany wood, it makes it look so much lighter.

Painted mine myself at the beginning of 2022. Still looks brilliant. Used farrow and ball primer and paint.

A coat of paint and some new cabinet handles can make the world of difference. I'd do it. Sage green might be nice.

We did this. Our house is very old and the cabinets had to be handmade and were very expensive, so we didn't want to rip them out. We painted them in cream eggshell which lightened the room and is super cleanable too.

We changed all the door furniture too, which also helped loads.

When we moved the units were that orange pinewood finish. Ten years ago I got them painted white, new handles and new work top. I was really pleased but I think they need doing again as there are a few chips now.

I covered mine in DC Fix. It's so very easy, wayyyyyy simpler than painting and much cheaper. They really do look amazing!

Do people really give a toss whether their decor is "dated" or not? To the point of updating their kitchens to reflect every passing trend?!
Op, it's fine to paint them any colour you want, it looks fine. Don't worry about what colour is "in" though, unless you like it regardless.

I painted mine nearly two years ago covered the worktops with dc fix. I love it. I thought it would have chipped over time but it still looks great.

Thanks all.

Hmmmm!

I have black granite worktops and hate them. DH chose it and I was very keen.

I've had quotes for quartz and Corian. Both were around £3K which is what paid first time.

I'd paint them or get a company who spray paints. If they suit your kitchen & you don't need a restyle it's the right solution.

I’d keep the wood but get a white or light grey worktop

We’ve oak units that we couldn’t justify replacing when updating the kitchen as there is nothing wrong with them. They are solid and far to good for the wood burner.
We put a slate worktop on, changed the tiles then had the bases painted in a lovely Dayroom Yellow and put on new handles. We’re really pleased as the kitchen looks completely new, is lighter, brighter and fit for another decade.

I’d thoroughly recommend painting.

Have a look on the French chic page on Facebook - loads of people have painted their cupboards so you may find one similar to see what it’ll be like! I painted mine in my old house a grey and it looked a million times better!
can’t find the before pic but that’s the after!

Any tips for painting? Paint, primer etc? Do I really need to sand very cupboard between each layer?

Ps that looks amazing queenie

18 years ago? Do it. I recently painted my top cupboards white, bottom ones a deep blue (think Cafe Nero) and it's SOOO much better. Really pleased with it.

I’m going to bang my usual drum here! Little Greene for paint. Their Tom’s Oil paint is fantastic. It’s probably more of an “exterior” paint, but I use it on skirting/door/frames and kitchen cupboards as it’s so hard-wearing.

They do a primer/undercoat called ASP (All Surface Primer) and it comes in pretty much every colour that their various paints come in.

I’ve painted my kitchen cupboards twice in ten years. Nothing wrong with them, I just wanted a change. They wipe clean easily and have never chipped.

It’s not cheap, but it goes a fairly long way. 2.5L tin did two coats on my kitchen cupboard (and a 1L tin of the ASP).

I’m not great at decorating, but am pretty pleased with my (almost) end result - still need to do the shelf and sort out a couple of other bits to finish the kitchen.

Oh, forgot to say, no sanding done.

I have black granite worktops (here when we bought the place) and found colours they went with them really tricky. I ended up painting our cupboards based on this inspiration pic. Used colour match paint.
other colours that made my short list were Oval Room Blue (f&b) and Sage (Little Greene).
I don’t actually think solid wood is that dated… it’s more the mdf shiny jobs.
what are the handles like - could you in lay a handle? That’s very “on trend” or have a look at Yesterhome for new handles and look at osmoil for a new stain for the wood?