Cabinet Refinishing · Dec 2019
Oak kitchen: white uppers, dark gray lowers
Oak kitchen: white uppers, dark gray lowers. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken Dec 2019. This cabinet refinishing project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Golden Oak Kitchen Cabinets Painted with White Uppers and Charcoal Gray Lowers
This kitchen had golden oak cabinets with cathedral arch doors, beige laminate counters, a vintage white range, and light vinyl flooring. The before photo shows how much wood filled the room from the ceiling line down to the toe kick. In progress, the upper and lower cabinet boxes are already white, and the inside shelves still show the natural wood. Yellow tape lines the ceiling, brown paper covers the backsplash walls and floor, paint cans sit on the counter, and a pad protects the range top. The after photo shows the two tone result. The upper cabinets are a clean white, and the base cabinets are a deep charcoal gray. Silver bar pulls replaced the old hardware on both, and dark hinges show on the uppers. The charcoal lowers ground the room and hide wear near the floor, while the white uppers keep the corner kitchen bright. The photos were taken in Dec 2019.
How We Gave This Oak Kitchen a Two-Tone Paint Finish
- We removed the doors, drawer fronts, and old pulls, then lined the ceiling with tape and covered the backsplash, floor, and range with paper and pads.
- The oak cabinet boxes and doors were degreased and scuff sanded to remove the shine from the old finish and give the primer a surface to grab.
- We primed every face frame, end panel, door, and drawer front with a bonding primer, leaving the inside shelves in their natural wood.
- The upper cabinets got two coats of white, and the lower cabinets got two coats of charcoal gray, with light sanding between coats for smoothness.
- Once the finish was dry, we rehung the doors, set the drawer fronts, and drilled for new silver bar pulls in consistent spots across the kitchen.
- We pulled the tape and paper, cleaned the counters and floor, and checked every door and drawer for even gaps and full coverage.
Paint Colors Similar to This White and Charcoal Kitchen
These are similar colors to consider for white uppers and charcoal lowers. They are not the exact colors used on these cabinets.
Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal HC-166
A deep charcoal gray close to these lower cabinets, dark enough to hide scuffs while still reading gray rather than black.
Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn SW 7674
A soft charcoal with a slightly cooler feel, a good option for base cabinets beside beige counters and white appliances.
Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117
A bright, warm white similar to these uppers that pairs well with charcoal lowers and silver bar pulls.
Questions About Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets
Why paint upper and lower cabinets different colors?
A two tone kitchen uses a lighter color up high to keep the room bright and a darker color down low to hide scuffs and add depth. It can make a small kitchen feel larger and gives older cabinets an updated look. It also lets you add color without overwhelming the room.
Do the insides of cabinets need to be painted?
Not always. Many painted cabinet jobs leave the interiors in their original finish to save time and cost. The exterior faces, frames, doors, and end panels get the full process. Interiors can be painted if you have glass doors or open shelves where they will be seen.
Can old oak cabinets with cathedral arch doors be painted?
Yes. Cathedral and arched doors are common on older oak kitchens, and they take paint well with proper cleaning, sanding, and primer. The arch shape stays the same, but a fresh color and new hardware can make the style feel lighter and more current.
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