San Francisco Bay Area - Should I paint the vanity?

by abrenny

Should I paint the vanity?

We are doing a bathroom remodel down to the studs, we need to reuse the vanity due to limited budget and the custom size. Wondering if we should paint or refinish, thinking possibly white? We have ordered a new cream/tan/white top, sink, and faucet for it, and have a stone/glass accent tile going up from the vanity to the ceiling. The floor tile is also a cream/tan glazed ceramic. We have a older traditional style home with dark wood trim throughout. I have had a few people tell me that they hate white cabinetry due to it being hard to keep clean and easy to see any scratch/flaws through the years but I think white would look the most modern updated, don't know what to do.

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soberg If you paint, make sure that the preparation is very thorough - sanding, degreasing etc. and take all precautions to ensure the best adhesion. I like the look of paint (especially to freshen up bland looking wood) but it needs to be properly applied to hold up in a bathroom.

4 months ago · Like ·

decoratedeb12 I'm in the same situation right now. Our cabinetry is even older that this. I think you could paint it, maybe not a stark white. I'm considering experimenting with one of those glazed or old world finishes where it looks like it's supposed to have some paint missing on the edges. Then maybe it'll make it feel like an accent piece. Splurge on some cool hardware. Good luck, post the finished shot.

4 months ago · Like

Sarah Betts I have older oak cabinets in my home that I painted, they look great and are quite durable as well. I agree that preparation is key. I would lightly sand them first and then prime them with Zinnser Bin or Odorless primer, I found that Benjamin Moore Advance paint was the best for the top coat.

4 months ago · Like ·

Judy M I vote paint it. Go to a good paint store ( not Home Depot) and explain what you need to paint. They will explain the best product and steps you should take to accomplish the job.

Second option: hire a painter to to the job. They can take the vanity out and spray it.

Add new hardware and you've got a great vanity.

4 months ago · Like ·

Dytecture I vote for changing the door pulls and leaving the oak vanity as is.

4 months ago · Like

Carolyn Albert-Kincl Design Painting it white or black seems like it will give you a nicely updated look in your bath.
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID

4 months ago · Like ·

andyseibt yes paint it white

4 months ago · Like

chickinvic Yes I would paint them, but I'm thinking that's an awful lot of white if you go with white. Do you like a monochromatic look? I would go with something with more contrast such as black/espresso if it were me, but only you know what you like.

4 months ago · Like ·

andyseibt u can off set the nwhite cabinets with colored accessories, towels etc

4 months ago · Like

Darzy I'd paint black or gel stain espresso.

4 months ago · Like ·

princess_q I think the vanity would look great if you stain it a dark espresso. We used a product called Saman from Benjamin Moore on our brand new dining chairs (we didn't like the colour) and it turned out amazing. It was as easy as a light sand and stain application (3-8) times depending how dark you would like to go. We went from light to dark and did about 8 coats.

4 months ago · Like ·

lindsay1971 Paint it! I painted a 50s era original kitchen on budget with a product called devflex which is industrial paint. It was very durable. It spread amazingly far and the leftovers ended up on my basement stairs and still hold up. Where possible use a high density foam roller in flat surfaces to eliminate drips and brush marks.

White seems logical. Espresso is going out...

For limited budget, get an awesome rug besides just something in the bath section. How about a fun pattern?

4 months ago · Like ·

JWinteriors The oak looks worn out. I would lightly sand and apply a darker stain and then a coat of satin poly. Install new bronze hardware along with a large mirror with a bronze frame. Your toilet paper holder and towel holders should be in the bronze finish as well. This will give balanced contrast with your creamy beige tiles while maintaining a monochromatic color scheme. Add your pops of color with art and accessories. Add a long carpet runner to keep the appearance of the room large. Keep clutter organized and out of sight. Do not use fluorescent light bulbs, but rather 60 Watts on a dimmer switch.

4 months ago · Like

jlbsideas I think white would look fine, but a friend of mine painted her oak cabinets black and changed the hardward and it's stunning!....good luck

4 months ago · Like ·

KM Designs and Decor I would definetly paint but not in white, in black yes only if tiles were an off white wouldnt look good with the creamy beige you have, so paint in shade darker to creamy beige tiles to provide nice contrast.Change to chrome handles to modernise bathroom along with acessories in chrome to match i.e. towel rails,toilet paper holder and introduce a silver mirror wall mounted if possible to set it off.If colour needed you can introduce with towels,flowers etc.Good quality paint and preparation will be key,hire a painter who knows what there doing.White can be very cold.

4 months ago · Like

pitbulls I would paint it white or expresso

4 months ago · Like

Gabberts Design Studio I would recommend a dark espresso, it would look fabulous with the white flooring and white countertops. Updated hardware will complete it!

4 months ago · Like ·

Carolina Photo To Go LLC I think the color of the vanity is all about the counter top. I just used tropical treasure granite with a vanity that is fairly similar to the color of yours although prob a little more maple and I cannot take my eyes off of it! It is beautiful. But I have Cashmir white granite in another BR and white is truly The best selection of vanity color for that counter top. So your vanity color really depends on your other selections.

4 months ago · Like

southwind51 there is a chalk paint and glaze that takes very little prep..and has a lovely result..sorry can't think of the brand

4 months ago · Like

wmpj If you decide to paint the cabinets white or a shade of white, Benjamin Moore has a product called Cabinet Coat and it's great. It's a latex paint but it goes on like an oil-based paint without the odor. It's also very durable. You could also apply a latex glaze over the paint if you want. With the colors you chose for the bathroom, dark or white/creamy cabinets will look good.

4 months ago · Like

cspz Paint in a creamy white shade. Use glidden gripper paint for primer and add lusterol to your semi-gloss paint. Two coats of paint should do it. Top coat with polyacrylic, as an oil based sealer will yellow. Add beautiful new hardware to match your fixtures. Add a pop of color with a runner type rug.

4 months ago · Like

sms9758 Painting your vanity will look awesome but like everyone else said do your prep work. It will save you a lot in the long run. Also never skimp with cheap paint. I learned the hard way that Benjamin Moore and sherwin Williams are worth the money when you want a Paint job to last.

3 months ago · Like ·

Gail Elwyn Paint it in espresso. I use the brand General Finishes Enduro Var for my custom cabinetry and furniture. It is water based and industrial grade. Get a pro to do it if you can.

3 months ago · Like

Susan Mills Design You could do charcoal, would look wonderful, then add brilliant coloured towels!

3 months ago · Like ·

Alone Eagle Remodeling, LLC. Don't see any problems with painting it.

If you want a nice clean look, Call a local bathtub refinisher and ask to have your cabinet sprayed. They typically use an epoxy based primer and Urethane/Acrylic top coat. It would make a nice clean glassy look!

Or you could go with the distressed look and brush the paint on, using a brillo pad to scuff down some edges here and there.

Like the first poster mentioned, make sure your preparation is thorough.

3 months ago · Like

abrenny We decided to restain to a darker finish (my husband was very against the white idea) but it turned out great!!

3 months ago · Like ·

Christine FYI with the grain on your cabinets you will be adding 10 coats to hide the grain lines. If you can repaint then you may want to see if you can afford to send the base out to a pro to do it for you.

3 months ago · Like

jrlawl2 It looks great and you will be so glad you did that! There is nothing worse that losing hair in the bathroom and seeing it stuck to surfaces--gross--and so common with white paint.

3 months ago · Like

Granite Grannies The darker stain looks great. It looks like a brand new cabinet. Well done!

3 months ago · Like ·

Darzy Yes. It looks great!

3 months ago · Like

Alone Eagle Remodeling, LLC. Nice job abrenny! I like the backsplash too!!

3 months ago · Like ·

craddock | architecture Better stained

3 months ago · Like

Margaret B Wow, looks incredible. What stain did you use?

3 months ago · Like

riesy I painted my bathroom cabinets and since it was an 80's house it really needed updating. I went with an espresso color and I love it. I am about to paint the walls a very light sage with deep orange touches in an oriental feeling. I love my cabinets ... they are now in the 21st century!!!

3 months ago · Like

abrenny Thanks all....@imimpb it was a poly-stain in american chestnut, with a wood prep conditioner applied first over the wood once it was thouroughly sanded down to the bare wood. It looks a little darker in person than in the photo but all in all it was a very inexpensive fix, and we only used 2 coats of stain which was nice so it only took one day to get it done :) here is another-daylight pic which looks a little different.

3 months ago · Like ·

jlbsideas Great job!!!..It looks beautiful!

3 months ago · Like

jennilindemann Thanks! We ordered a very similar counter for our bathroom and the cabinet is off white it looks awful so I was thinking of painting it a darker color! This convinced me! THANKS! I looks great!

3 months ago · Like