More sellable kitchen?

[Jason K.]

I'm in a debate regarding kitchen cabinets:

From your experience, which of these impresses more buyers than not? White painted cabinets, light stained finish, dark stained finish, or stained vs. paint, generally speaking. (using Granite countertops)

Any feedback is much appreciated!

[Anson Young]

I like amber/darker woods with granite, with the right floor it looks very classy. I'm not a fan at all of painted cabs, all my flips get maple.

[Scott R.]

All depends on the kitchen, the size, the neighborhood/price range.
Granite countertops id assume its a nicer neighborhood, hopefully a bigger kitchen, and my suggestion would be a darker stained cabinet. For my lower income stuff I do white cabinets, fresh painted cabinets look good. Im assuming your replacing the current cabinets?

[Nick Henson]

I think light stained finishes are more impressive. Even if they're on cardboard, they make people think of oak which has the connotation of higher quality. Seems silly, I know, but that has been my experience. Good Luck!

[Ann Bellamy]

I think it's going to depend on the local preferences, the architecture of the house, and the pricing.

To me, oak is totally dated. Even maple is a little dated. The current high end kitchens are going with darker sleek cabinets - think espresso finish or dark cherry.

If the property has some antique or reproduction characteristics, such as is common in the northest, painted with reproduction hardware is appropriate. Don't go with colored paint, like green or blue, it's too specific.

Low end houses still like oak, or home depot maple, which is not expensive.

[Bill Gulley]

What is used in comprable properties is what you need to strive for, as Ann mentioned, it's all about your market for comprable homes.

BTW, you might find at the local cabinet shop some great deals, there might be a reason. Saving $500 on some dark cabinets might well mean they are not as popular in that area. Ask the cabinet folks what is popular for the style and location of the property. Ask Realtors. Call an appraiser, they might chit chat. Good luck.

[Justin S.]

I rank them as follows with the least attractive at the top.

1. White wash oak
2. White wash anything else
3. Light stained oak
4. Painted white
5. Dark stained oak
6. Naked other wood
7. Dark stained other wood.

3 and 4 are very close.

Other wood can be maple, birch, or alder.

We put in a nice dark stained birch when we replace cabinets.