Paint, reface or replace your kitchen cabinets?

When a kitchen looks dated, the cabinets get most of the blame. They take up the most visual space, and old finishes show their age. But new cabinets are also the biggest cost in a kitchen remodel, so it is worth asking whether you need them.

There are three paths. Each fits a different situation.

Option one: paint

Painting changes the color and the mood of a kitchen at the lowest cost of the three. Done properly, with good preparation, a durable finish and new hardware, it can transform honey-colored wood into something fresh.

**It works when:** the cabinet boxes and doors are in good shape, the layout works for you, and the main complaint is color.

**Keep in mind:** Paint changes the surface, not the shape. Raised panels, arched tops and an old layout stay as they are. The finish has to be applied carefully, because a quick coat will chip around handles and edges.

Option two: reface

Refacing keeps the cabinet boxes and replaces the doors and drawer fronts, with new veneer on the visible frames. Hinges and hardware are replaced too.

**It works when:** the boxes are solid and the layout is right, but you want a different style, such as flat panels or shaker doors.

**Keep in mind:** The inside of the boxes stays the same, and so does the footprint. If storage is the problem, refacing will not fix it.

Option three: replace

Replacing the cabinets means taking the old ones out and installing new ones. It is the most work, but it is the only option that lets you change the layout, add storage and fix problems hidden in the old boxes.

**It works when:** the layout does not work, the boxes are damaged or sagging, you want a different arrangement, or the kitchen is getting a larger redesign.

**Keep in mind:** New cabinets lead to new counters, since counters are cut to the cabinets. That makes the project bigger, and the timing longer.

A few questions that help decide

• Are the boxes sturdy and square, with doors that close properly?
• Does the layout let two people cook without bumping?
• Is there enough storage, and is it reachable?
• Does the kitchen look different from the rest of the house in style?
• Will you also change the counters, the floor or the lights?

If the answer to the last question is yes, replacing is often more sensible, because the old cabinets would be disturbed anyway.

What we have seen in our own projects

In a kitchen we remodeled, the before photo shows honey-colored oak cabinets with arched doors, dark counters and gray floor tile. After the work, the kitchen has white shaker cabinets, a tile backsplash, light counters, an island with seating and a new plank floor. The change reached beyond the cabinets, so replacing was the sensible route.

In a different style of kitchen, tall wood-grain cabinets with white gloss uppers set the whole tone of the room.

Hardware and details matter

New handles and pulls are one of the cheapest ways to freshen cabinets, whichever route you choose. Soft-close hinges and full-extension drawers also make a kitchen feel better each day, even though no one sees them.

Cost and timing

Cost depends on the number of cabinets, the material and finish, the hardware, the amount of preparation and whether the layout changes. Painting is generally the smallest project, refacing is in the middle, and replacing is the largest, though a full replacement can include storage you never had.

What to do with the inside

Whichever route you choose, think about the inside of the cabinets. Old boxes often have fixed shelves, awkward corners and drawers that stick. Even if the outside is going to look new, this is a good time to add pull-out trays, deeper drawers, a better spice storage solution or a tilt-out tray at the sink. With replacement cabinets these are simply part of the order. With painting or refacing, some of them can be added to the existing boxes, though not all. It is worth listing what annoys you inside the kitchen before choosing a path.

Talk it through with us

If you are not sure which path suits your kitchen, we will look at the boxes and the layout with you and give you an honest view. See our kitchen remodeling page, then request a free estimate.