WWYD: Should we get white cabinets or cherry wood cabinets?

[happymomma]

Now that we have decided to do our renovation, DH and I can't seem to agree on what kind of kitchen cabinets to buy. I want to get white cabinets (not white white, but more of an off white). I think white cabinets look classic and brightens the room. Our kitchen is not that big and even with the tear down of the wall b/w the kitchen and dining room its not that big. But there are concerns about having white cabinets. I heard that having white cabinets are hard to maintain and that they always look dirty. I do have 2 kids (ages 3 1/2 and 6 years old). So those of you that have white cabinets, is it hard to maintain?

We are just stuck right now. We need to decide whether to get cherry or white cabinets. I do feel that cherry might appeal to more people. I'm just so confused. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

[lchang25000]

Personally, I would choose the cherry cabinets and paint the walls a color that would make the room look brighter.

[infomama]

Cherry all the way. You can go with a natural or light cherry.

[momof2girls]

We did a kitchen reno about 2 yrs ago and went wth creamy white cabinets for the outer wall cabinets and darker stain for the island. If you have an island you can always do that. I've also seen ktchens with different color upper and lower cabinets. It looks very custom, but it does not suit al tastes. My kids are 4 and 6 and I am actually happy to be able to see when the cabinets get dirty so that I can clean them rather than not knowing they were dirty if they were darker.
OTOH, cherry cabinets look very rich. My mother opted for cherry in her new kitchen. It's just a totally different look.
What kitchens are you immediately attracted to when you enter a showroom? I ALWAYS went striaght to the painted white so that's how I knew it was what was right for me.
Good luck!

[SnuggleBuggles]

Agree with pp- cherry, paint room a lighter color. Not a fan of white cabinets at all- I just don't really like the look of them (they often look cheaper to me than wood) and I wouldn't like having to maintain their cleanliness if I bought the house.

What about a beech color- could that be a compromise? That's what we have (previous owners put them in) and I like them.

Beth

[DrSally]

Boy, I like both. Right now I have cherry and love them. I've also always wanted white (true white) with a black soapstone counter--very classic New England.

ETA: FWIW, our realtor said houses with white cabinets are harder to sell b/c either you love or hate them. I know off white is different, and I've seen some very lovely off white cabinets.

[momof2girls]

Here are some examples of kitchens I've always loved in white/cream"
http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com...s-kitchen.html
http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com...s-kitchen.html
http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com...s-kitchen.html

[arivecchi]

Cherry is trendy now, but I'd go white. Nice white cabinets are classic and appeal to more buyers.

[ourbabygirl]

Yeah, I do like cherry but LOVE off-white with a pretty granite countertop. My parents just built a house with the kitchen design I totally would have picked for us if we were building a house or re-doing our kitchen. I can see how they could get dirty looking, especially around the handles where you would put your hands, but I would think that if you have a certain finish on them, you could wipe off the marks and drips pretty easily.

P.S. momof2girls: *LOVE* those kitchens you posted- so beautiful!

[WatchingThemGrow]

I chose white because it makes our kitchen look SO much larger. It is really tiny, but the white w/o a lot of decoration plus navy countertops and stainless appliances looks really nice, IMO. I feel like the different wood choices date kitchens so easily.