Should You Paint or Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets?

Your kitchen cabinets set the tone for the whole room. If yours are dated, dark or worn, you may be wondering whether to tear them out or give them a fresh coat of paint.

For a lot of homeowners, painting is the smarter choice. But it is not the right fit for every kitchen. Here is how to decide.

The Big Difference: Cost

New cabinets are one of the most expensive parts of a kitchen remodel. Once you add in removal, installation, new countertops that often have to be replaced at the same time and the weeks without a working kitchen, the total can climb fast.

Professional cabinet painting usually costs a small part of that. In the Phoenix area, most kitchens fall somewhere between $3,000 and $7,500, depending on size, the number of doors and drawers and the condition of the wood.

You also keep your countertops, backsplash and plumbing right where they are.

When Painting Is a Great Choice

Painting makes sense when:

The cabinet boxes are solid. Wood or good-quality plywood boxes that are not warped, swollen or falling apart are perfect for paint.
You like the layout. If the kitchen works well and you just hate the look, paint fixes the problem.
The doors are in good shape. Raised-panel, shaker and flat doors all take paint well.
You want a fast change. Most cabinet painting jobs take days, not weeks.

When You Might Want to Replace

Painting cannot fix every problem. Replacement may be the better call if:

The boxes are water damaged. Swollen particle board under the sink will not get better with paint.
You want a new layout. If you are moving walls, adding an island or changing where appliances go, new cabinets usually come with that.
The doors are thin laminate or peeling foil. Some surfaces do not hold paint well over time.

If only one or two areas are damaged, those spots can sometimes be repaired first. We will tell you honestly what we see during the estimate.

Why Prep Makes or Breaks Cabinet Paint

Cabinets get touched, bumped and splashed every single day. A quick coat of wall paint will chip and peel in months. A lasting cabinet finish takes real prep:

Remove and label every door and drawer front. This lets us paint every edge and put every piece back in the right spot.
Degrease. Kitchen cabinets collect cooking oil, even when they look clean. Paint will not stick to grease.
Sand. A light sand gives the primer something to grip.
Prime with a bonding primer. This is the layer that keeps the finish from peeling.
Apply a hard cabinet-grade enamel. These paints cure harder than wall paint and wipe clean.

We spray doors for a smooth, factory-style look. You can read more about how we use sprayers on our spray painting page.

Picking a Color

White and off-white cabinets are still the most popular choice in Valley homes. They brighten the room and go with almost any countertop. Other colors we see often:

Soft grays and greiges for a modern, calm look
Navy and deep green on islands for contrast
Two-tone kitchens with light uppers and darker lowers

If you are nervous about a bold color, try it on the island first.

What Our Customers Say

One customer, who is a contractor, told us: “They did an awesome job on my cabinets! Very professional, on time, fast and they work very clean.” That is the standard we aim for on every kitchen.

Do Not Forget the Rest of the Room

New cabinet color can make old walls look tired. Many homeowners pair a cabinet job with interior painting for the kitchen and nearby rooms. Doing it all at once saves time and gives you a finished look.

Get a Free Cabinet Estimate

We paint cabinets across Chandler, Scottsdale, Phoenix and the rest of the Valley. We will count your doors and drawers, check the condition of the boxes and give you a clear written price.