I have wanted a white kitchen for 20 years. My husband talked me out of it back then when we remodeled. We got cherry instead of white. Now it's time to redo the kitchen again and I still want that white kitchen. The realtors are saying that white cabinets are going out - wood looks richer. Any opinions?

My kitchen is white. Personally, I like anything but wood! If white cabinets are going out then I don't understand it. Maybe its to due with the cost of getting ready-made white cabinets, since they're usually much more expensive than most wood.

I wouldn't want to buy a house without a white kitchen. Although, what I'd really love is high-gloss white lacquer cabinets, clean and modern.

IMO, white cabinets, like black and white checkerboard floors, are classics that will always be in style while other trends come and go. I think the realtor was expressing a personal opinion.

Well, first of all ITA with Goosie. White cabinets have been around for decades and will no doubt continue to be around for decades longer. They're a classic and some kitchens just call for nothing BUT white cabinets.

Secondly though, in a make believe world if the realtors happened to be right, do you care? It doesn't sound like you're getting ready to sell the house and that you're redoing for your own pleasure. Truthfully if you were redoing to sell, remodeling the kitchen would be a bad idea IMHO since you can't remodel to someone elses' tastes.

It sounds though like this is for you and what YOU like. Not what someone else says you're supposed to like. So get what you want.

Thanks everyone. I'll pass along to the hubby and see if my argument for white goes anywhere.

Pick up some decorating magazines, like House & Beautiful, Southern Accent, etc. The April issue of House Beautiful in the Kitchen of the Month article has cabinets that are white and an antique baker's table is used for the island. Check out the two framhouse sinks side by side, each with their own dishwasher. In the past couple of years many, if not most, of the kitchens featured had white/cream cabinets.

White cabinets are the little black dress of kitchens.

I absolutely am the type of person who does not care what the latest trend is. I am all for white kitchen cabinets. Maybe it is because I was never ever fond of dark wood in a room that I spend so much time. When we were hunting for a new home, I always passed up on homes that had wood paneling in either the living or family room. I just love lots of Light.

I love white cabinets, I think they are very timeless. However, my husband is a builder and we have done some spec homes and people have not liked the white cabinets, everyone seems to like cherry, which is also beautiful but I think you can do different looks with white.

I think that if you've wanted a white kitchen for twenty years then you should DEFINITELY go for it. If you don't, you probably will not be satisfied with what you end up with, and what's the point of going through a whole remodel if you're not going to be happy with the results? Don't let other people talk you out of what you want. It is YOUR kitchen. Trust your instincts. And anyway, a classic, properly done white kitchen NEVER goes out of style, and anyone who tells you differently doesn't know what they're talking about. And if you don't do it now, when will you ever? So many people these days decorate according to what they think other people might want down the road, but unless you're planning to move within a year or so, you have to do what will make YOU happy. Don't settle. For the amount of money a renovation costs, the end result should be a kitchen you just can't stop looking at. :-)

I like white and wood. To me, it depends on how the whole kitchen is "put together" (countertops, hardware, backsplash, appliances, etc.). White kitchens can look gorgeous, as can wood.

Get what you want!

I agree that white is so standard (or 'classic') that it can look dated, but there are countless ways to liven it up - to get the color you want without setting your kitchen back several years in style. Personally, I think that white cupboards with glass inserts are -gorgeous,- especially with a gray/sand-colored granite, but that's just my ramblin' vision.

You could combine the two - some white cabinets and some wood - I seen this combo and kind of like the look.

I love white cabinets, had them in my last house and am trying hard to get them here but don't have them yet.

Who cooks?

My hubby doesn't. I told him he can have a say-so in the kitchen decisions when HE is in the kitchen cooking each day.

Running into the kitchen for a snack or drink doesn't count as cooking!

I cannot imagine my kitchen without the white cabinets... and I wouldn't have thought cherry , hickory, pecan.. would have looked right...

When I started visiting with the cabinet maker.. I was surprised to find out that stained cabintes are cheaper... less prep goes into them...

It depends on what you want your kitchen to convey... I'm country/ ranch... shaker doors...

But we did things outside the box that some might not feel comfortable with..


Becky

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb49/becky42_bucket

Tastes are different. My rule when searching was "no white cabinets". I love antique white cabinets though.

If that's what you really want for so long I am sure you'll find a buyer when selling to love your kitchen.