Painted Vs Stained Cabinets . By now you should know all the pros and cons of painted vs. Compare this to two coats of stain and protective finish. Painted vs Stained Kitchen Which Is Right for You? Mayfair from mayfairpaint.ca Painted cabinetry will lend a clean, updated look to your kitchen, while stained cabinets provide a traditional and earthy feel. Typically you’ll see a paint uncharge of 15% for standard paints. When it comes to durability, there is a bit of a tradeoff between painted and stained finishes.