A kitchen remodel usually starts with the cabinets, because they take up the most visual space. But replacing them is also the biggest, most disruptive part of the job. Before you get remodeling quotes, it's worth asking whether your cabinets need replacing or just a new finish.
Start with the boxes, not the color
Open the doors and look at the cabinet boxes. Are they solid wood or plywood, square, and in good shape? Do the doors close properly? Is there water damage under the sink? Cabinets that are structurally sound are good candidates for paint, no matter how dated the current finish looks.
When painting makes sense
- The boxes are solid and the layout works for you.
- You want a different look but not a different kitchen.
- You'd rather avoid weeks of demolition and installation.
- You're updating counters, backsplash or hardware and want cabinets to match.
When replacement is the better call
- Boxes are damaged, swollen from water, or falling apart.
- You want to change the layout, add an island or move appliances.
- Doors are a style you'll never like, even painted.
What makes painted cabinets last
Painted cabinets get handled every day, so they have to be done differently from walls. A durable job includes removing doors and drawer fronts, degreasing every surface, sanding, using a bonding primer, and applying a hard-curing enamel, ideally sprayed. Our process uses a shellac-based or high-adhesion bonding primer and two coats of Benjamin Moore Advance or Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel.
When painted cabinets chip, it's almost always because a step was skipped, usually degreasing or sanding.
What to expect during the project
Most kitchens take two to three days. Doors and drawers are removed and labeled, finished separately, and reinstalled once cured. The kitchen stays usable, though some cabinets will be open for a few days. Enamels keep hardening for a few weeks after the job, so treat the finish gently at first.
Thinking about painting your cabinets? Get a free estimate
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth painting kitchen cabinets?
If the boxes are solid and the layout works for you, painting gives you a different look without the cost and weeks of demolition that come with new cabinets.
When should I replace cabinets instead?
When the boxes are damaged or swollen from water, or when you want to change the layout, add an island or move appliances.
How long does it take to paint kitchen cabinets?
Most kitchens take two to three days. The enamel keeps hardening for a few weeks after that, so treat the finish gently at first.
