Should you paint your kitchen cabinets, replace them completely or reface?

Whether you are planning a simple kitchen cabinets refresh or a complete renovation, deciding what to do about your cabinets is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Replacing your kitchen cabinets can cost close to 50 percent of your total kitchen renovation budget. Functional cabinets can mean the difference between a kitchen that works and one that doesn’t.

Let’s look at some of the reasons why you might consider repainting your kitchen cabinets and decide what is best for you.

The least expensive way to change them is with paint, so let’s look at some of the reasons why you might consider repainting your kitchen cabinets and you decide what is best for you.

Does the kitchen layout function well for you?

Having ample counter space with multiple preparation areas, as well as enough storage for glasses and plates is typically the first evaluation homeowners make. But the function is not only about that. It’s also about how the kitchen connects to other areas of the home such as the view, and the way light enters the space.

kitchen cabinets

How can I tell if my cabinets are in good enough shape to be painted? 

Before deciding on painting your cabinets you should check them for structural integrity. You can easily replace doors and drawers but extensive structural problems make cabinets a poor choice for refinishing or much of anything else. But if the damage seems limited to worn surfaces, nicks, and dings, paint can work miracles, especially when teamed with new cabinet hardware.

They are probably not a good candidate for painting if:

  • They have become frail with age
  • Any part of the cabinets has begun to pull loose or sag.
  • They have thin sides and backs, which are often veneered with vinyl paper
  • They have thin sides and backs, which are often veneered with vinyl paper.
  • They have  particleboard cabinet bottoms or shelves that sag

What if my cabinets are in good shape but I do not like the door style? 

You may not want to paint or re-stain your cabinets if you are tired of the door style.  However, if the cabinet bases are solid a combination of refacing and painting is an option.  To clarify, you can hire a cabinet refacing company or a cabinet maker to install unfinished doors and drawers with new hinges and drawer guides and then have your painting company do the finished work.

kitchen cabinets

How durable is painting your cabinets?

The paints applied to cabinets are typically very durable but you will want to make sure you have a professional paint company handling your cabinet project.

We use a 7 step European technique that covers the grain like no other product and allows us to create a custom color that is extremely durable. This process combined with the skill and the application talent of our decorative painter, Sarah Ashford, allows us to turn a “Pig’s ear into a silk purse“.

The kitchen to the left are cabinets we restored using our  European custom paint process.

What are the color/paint style options?

 Just about any type of kitchen cabinet can be painted. Usually, homeowners are considering painting because they are tired of their outdated stained cabinets.  The process we use can apply it directly to just about any surface, from wood to metal, it can revitalize and transform tired old furniture, all cabinets, entire interiors from walls and ceilings even floors. We also like the range of techniques: from modern and contemporary to colorful boho chic, to elegant and traditional. It is the perfect solution to use to paint your cabinets.

Here are some of our latest transformations:

Click here to see the before and after photos for the below thumbnails

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kitchen cabinets

What is the difference in cost between replacing and painting cabinets?

The cost to paint your kitchen cabinets is typically 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of replacing the cabinets. The savings really add up when you consider that there are no demolition or installation costs, you do not have to replace the counters or the floors. Also, it is a lot less invasive and takes much less time.

The Kitchen Cabinets to the left were transformed from dark cabinets to refreshing white.

Only a few companies are good at painting cabinets, so don’t let the cheapest price be your deciding factor.

How do I find a really good painting cabinet company?

kitchen cabinets

We have been transforming many of our client’s homes with a multi-step process where we create a beautiful custom color that is extremely durable.

This process combined with the skill and the application talent of our decorative painter, Sarah Ashford allows us to turn a “Pig’s ear into a silk purse“.

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