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Painted vs stained trim on a $12k kitchen reno. Which holds up better?
Just finished a kitchen remodel in Columbus where the homeowner argued for painted trim. I pushed for stain but she won. The painted stuff already shows scuffs near the dishwasher after 2 months. Is stain really the tougher choice for high traffic kitchens?
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hayes.joel10d ago
Oh man, painted trim in a kitchen is like wearing white pants to a spaghetti dinner.
The constant opening and closing of cabinets plus random water splashes will wreck that finish way faster than stain handles it.
But hey, at least the scuffs match your "lived in farmhouse" aesthetic, right?
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bennett.mason10d ago
I get what you're saying, but I actually think painted trim can work fine in a kitchen if you prep right. I've had painted baseboards and window trim in my last two kitchens and they held up for years without major issues. The trick is using a good quality semi-gloss or gloss paint and letting it cure fully before you start slamming cabinets into it. A clear coat on top like Jenny mentioned helps too, but honestly most scuffs wipe right off with a damp cloth compared to stain where you're stuck with the damage.
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