This is a painted oak kitchen I transformed in Bawtry, Nottinghamshire. A hand painted kitchen allows for bespoke colour choices and finishes. I can tailor the style to match your aesthetic, from classic to modern, and offer unique details, such as new cabinet hardware that make your kitchen one of a kind.
On this kitchen, the stainless steel extractor hood was replaced with a wooden one and painted. The original long bar handles were replaced with modern chrome cup handles on the drawers and pull knobs for the doors. The floating shelfs were also painted to blend in with the main kitchen. The colours being the equivalent to Skimming Stone and the central Island painted in the equivalent of Stiffkey Blue.
I do sometimes hear, usually its from the man of the house “You cant paint oak doors, its sacrilege!” Personally, I believe that painting oak kitchen doors is not a sacrilege, but it can be a matter of personal perspective and context. Here’s an exploration of both sides:
Why It’s Not a Sacrilege
Personalisation: Your home should reflect your taste. Painting oak cabinets can modernize the space and align it with your style preferences, especially if the natural wood feels dated.
Functional Upgrade: Painting can breathe new life into old oak cabinets, making them look fresh and modern without the cost or waste of replacement.
Oak Isn’t Rare: While oak is durable and classic, it’s not considered a rare or endangered wood. Painting it doesn’t carry the same implications as altering something truly unique or antique.
Reversible: If done professionally and carefully, paint can be stripped or refinished to restore the natural wood. This ensures that the choice is not entirely permanent.
Design Trends: Modern trends often favour painted finishes (like white, grey, or navy) over natural oak. Painting oak cabinets can enhance the resale appeal of your kitchen.
Why Some May Consider It a Sacrilege
Respect for Natural Materials: Oak is a beautiful, durable wood with unique grain patterns. Some people believe it’s a shame to cover these with paint, especially if the wood is in good condition.
Timeless Aesthetic: Oak cabinets have a classic appeal that never truly goes out of style. Painting them might feel like disregarding their inherent, timeless beauty.
Historical or Sentimental Value: If the cabinets are part of an older home or have sentimental significance, painting over them could feel like erasing a piece of history.
Hard to Undo: While reversible in theory, stripping paint from oak is labour-intensive and may not perfectly restore the wood’s original appearance.
Throughout all the years I have been hand painting kitchens (especially oak kitchens) on completion of the work and transformation of the kitchen, the man of the house is overwhelmed by the finish which goes above and beyond their original expectations!
Conclusion
Ultimately, painting oak kitchen doors isn’t sacrilege – it’s a design choice. If the goal is to modernise your kitchen and you value aesthetics and functionality over keeping the natural wood visible, painting is entirely valid. However, if you have a strong appreciation for the natural grain and history of oak, preserving its original look might be the better route.
It comes down to your priorities, taste, and the condition of the cabinets!
Here at Russ Pike Interiors, we have been hand painting luxury bespoke kitchens, bespoke cabinetry and rejuvenating existing wood kitchens for many years. We understand the correct process required for each different job. We have the knowledge, experience and expertise to provide you with the highest quality paint finishes for your kitchen project.
If you would like to Get in Touch, we would be happy to discuss with you, your painted kitchen project and provide you with a cost.