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futuredriven

Kitchen Reno....Countertops or Cabinets first?

FutureDriven
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

We are doing a small kitchen reno job. We are painting our cabinets, putting in granite countertops, backsplash, and apron stainless steel sink. What part of the job should we do first? Is it better to paint the cabinets and then select the granite or install the granite and choose the paint color the cabinets based on the granite and do back splash last? Thoughts. In what order would you do this reno?



Comments (34)

  • PRO
    Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
    6 years ago

    I'd probably pick a stone first and then decide cabinet color off of that. Backsplash should be last, and then paint after that (if you're painting).

  • joycedjay
    6 years ago
    Always start with the thing that has the fewest possibilities. In this case, the countertops. Next pick the backsplash that looks good with the countertops. The only exception to this is if there’s a backsplash that you absolutely MUST have - but then it could be more of a challenge to find the right countertops. Paint is last, as there are an almost unlimited number of paint colors.
  • PRO
    RugKnots | Area Rugs
    6 years ago

    1. Countertop

    2. Backsplash

    3. Paint

    4. Handles (makes a huge difference to replace them all and it's relatively cheap)

    Love your flooring, by the way!

    FutureDriven thanked RugKnots | Area Rugs
  • PRO
    Beth H. :
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Pick a countertop you like first. then match your paint color for Cabinets to it. With that busy flooring, pick a rather sedate countertop. here are some quartz options

    Ironbark

    quartzite

    I'd paint cabs first, install counter, you can paint walls after cabs/counter are done, since you will need to see how it looks in your lighting to get a proper match.


    (it's so much easier to spray your cabinets when you don't have to tape off your counters or walls or tile splash. just make sure your cabinet color and counter color go well together)

    now do your backsplash. that's always last


  • PRO
    Master Tile Kitchen and Bath Design
    6 years ago

    Pick your counter material, but paint the cabinets first before installing the new countertop. Backsplash last :)


  • lesleycurl
    6 years ago

    Amateur here. I had the slab counter top installed first, then had the backsplash installed, and will paint the cabinets last (new hardware already installed since the existing cabinets didn't have any, but will be removed and reinstalled after painting). After living with the slab and backsplash for awhile, my cabinet color choice changed from my original plan, so I'm glad that I didn't paint the cabinets earlier in the process. It makes sense to paint the cabinets before installing the slab, but that's not how it worked out for me. Good luck with your kitchen remodel!

  • FutureDriven
    Original Author
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Thanks for the feedback everyone! Because my floors are busy I really want to keep eveything else simple and clean. Some type of white cabinet with oil rubbed bronze cabinet wear. I'm still clueless on the countertop, but something simple and white subway tile for the backsplash. This is my inspiration but I am not sure what kind of countertops these are. Anyone know?

  • PRO
    Master Tile Kitchen and Bath Design
    6 years ago

    I'm guessing they are quartz countertops - a very good choice for kitchens - Caesarstone Frosty Carrina is soft and good looking :)

  • Jamie Ludwig
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Kohler Riverby 25" X 22" X 9-5/8" Under-Mount Kitchen Sink w/ Sink Rack, White · More Info

    I agree with Patricia about the Apron sink. I am in the middle of a Kitchen re-do and have a corner sink like yours. Fitting an Apron sink at an angle like that is almost impossible. I ended up going with an undermount sink that is one large rectangle, it gives you some of the look and the function of the farm sink but with out the front apron and the headaches of fitting it in or having to modify your cabinets.

  • Anna-Maria Camp Houin
    6 years ago

    I also agree with the no apron sink. Plain stainless or the undermount above for a timeless look would be nice. After the counters are complete, you may find you’re ok with the natural wood and a light, clear glass subway tile. Oak’s been around for over 100 years. Good luck!

  • FutureDriven
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    I am becoming more open to the undermount sink. I know apron sinks can be difficult to install without doing custom cabinetry.

  • FutureDriven
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    Ok. I have an updated question. My kitchen walls are Sherwin Williams Pure White. What would be a good white color for the cabinets. I want some contrast but not too much.

  • Jamie Ludwig
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Contrast in Whites? Sounds strange to me. It may come off as you could not match them more than a contrast. Other than that you will need to choose between going in to the "cool" whites with a blue/grey tint or the "warm whites" with a yellow/cream tint. I think the direction you go should be based on what your counter and backsplash choices are. You don't want to go with a warm tone in your paint if your counter/backsplash mostly cool grey or visa-versa.

  • PRO
    Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
    6 years ago

    I thought we already went over this. You pick your cabinet color before paint color. Matching whites can be hard, so I'd suggest just using the same white, but in a different sheen. It will give you that contrast you're looking for.

  • Trem Wills
    6 years ago
    I think the cabinet colour should be based primarily on your stone as opposed to the current wall colour.
  • FutureDriven
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    @Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design you are correct but we had the walls painted as soon as we bought the house so the walls are SW Pure White. Thanks for the suggestion on changing the sheen! I had not considered that making a difference in the same color!

  • User
    6 years ago

    Floor choice is first, as that has to go throughout the whole home in an open concept. What are your choices to replace that busy floor with? A plain natural looking wood? A natural looking porcelain slate look?

  • PRO
    Ladd Suydam Contracting, LLC
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    London Grey- Ceasarstone


    We just installed this London Grey in a kitchen remodel. You can see it here with the bright white subway and upper cabinetry. It has a lighter feel in the space than the color sample. There isn't a lot of movement going on but it has just enough to give it some interest. It also lends more warm than cool in terms of coloring. I posted this since it might work with the example kitchen you posted.

    Crestwood Kitchen Remodel · More Info

    Crestwood Kitchen Remodel · More Info

    Good luck with your project!

    FutureDriven thanked Ladd Suydam Contracting, LLC
  • FutureDriven
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    @Sophie Wheeler The floors are new. I like more of a modern farmstyle decor. Thats why we went with these floors. I guess these kitchens are similar to what I'm going for floor included.

  • Carol Singletary
    6 years ago
    Nice inspiration, but note that the walls are a very light green (sea salt maybe?) which provides just a bit of contrast to the white cabinets.
  • FutureDriven
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    @Carol Singletary good point. we may have to bite the bullet and have the walls painted again.

  • FutureDriven
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    Is it common to have kitchen cabinets and the wall be the same color?

  • Jamie Ludwig
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    You can do them the same color and it will look OK, it's really all based on if YOU like it or not. If you do decide to paint the walls it would be a chance to tie a color that is in your counter top or flooring. If there is not a common color for both I would tie one from the counter first.

  • FutureDriven
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    I'm thinking if everything is SW pure white with subway tile backsplah, black counter tops would off set the white and I would get a look similar to this? thoughts?

    These kitchens seem to have one white running throughout...


  • pdjh
    6 years ago
    We are beginning a kitchen reno too. There is so much to consider, isn't there? Here are my thoughts, for what they are worth... If you are painting the cabinets yourself, then save that colour selection for last, you will have lots of choice. If a professional is painting, then your colour choices may be limited, in which case I would make that selection first and consider how it will look with your floor and trimwork, baseboards, etc. Countertop should come next (or first, if you are painting the cupboards yourself). I like your idea of black, although I wonder if that may be too dark considering how dark your floor is. If you decide on a white backsplash, then I think it should match the colour of your cupboards as closely as possible.
  • FutureDriven
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    Thanks for the advice @pdjh. We are having them professionally painted. I know we want simple white subway tiles for the backsplash but im not sure of the grout yet. I'm also concerned about the black counters with the dark floors but since everything will be such a stark white i think it might be ok and add the needed contrast.

  • Jamie Ludwig
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I like the dark counters with the white cabinets. We are right in the middle of putting in our new kitchen and I also choose a dark counter to contrast with my white cabinets. Blue Pearl Granite is what I am doing. It is black with flecks of silver/gray and blue.

  • FutureDriven
    Original Author
    6 years ago

    So another question, when we do the backsplash should it go all the way up the wall around the arch around the sink? Or...do we leave the arch blank?

  • Carol Singletary
    6 years ago
    Personally, I don't think you want to tile the arch. But the pros may have better ideas.
  • PRO
    Stecki Construction
    6 years ago

    Paint the cabinets first! Maybe darker granite with some gray in it would look nice! I would not extend the subway tile all the way up to the arch. Instead, find some wall decor that looks good there.

  • FutureDriven
    Original Author
    5 years ago

    Alright guys I wanted to add in an update! The countertop, backsplash, and new sink are in!!! I love it. What color should we paint the cabinets now that you see the new updates? Should we stick with the same color as the walls?

  • Carol Singletary
    5 years ago
    I see no one answered. Do you HAVE to paint the cabinets? I like the warm wood tones with the new whites. Maybe just replace hardware?
  • Jennifer Michaels
    11 months ago

    What countertop did you end up choosing? It looks so nice with the oak cabinets? I have oak too and wondering what to put in.