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Is painting cabinets a good idea?

Why Kitchen Refresh
08/01/2018

Table of contents

  • Is Painting Kitchen Cabinets a Good Idea? Why Refacing Is the Better Choice
  • What We Do Instead
  • 7 Reasons We Don’t Paint Cabinet Doors
  • Why Choose Kitchen Refresh?
  • Ready for a Real Transformation?

Is Painting Kitchen Cabinets a Good Idea? Why Refacing Is the Better Choice

Explore why painting kitchen cabinets often falls short—and how Kitchen Refresh’s cabinet refacing service offers a longer-lasting, cost-effective alternative.

Damaged cabinet hinges with paint buildup and rust from improper repainting example of outdated shaker-style kitchen doors with brush marks and uneven paint finish

At first glance, painting your kitchen cabinets might seem like an easy and affordable way to give your kitchen a fresh look. But when you look beyond the surface, you’ll find several hidden downsides that make painting a less practical, more temporary fix.

Example of outdated shaker-style kitchen doors with brush marks and uneven paint finish

Like our founder says: “If painting cabinet doors and drawer fronts was the better option, it’s what we’d do.”
But at Kitchen Refresh, we take a different approach that delivers longer-lasting, more beautiful results.

Painted cabinet door with visible cracks and peeling due to wood expansion and contraction


What We Do Instead

We only repaint the cabinet boxes. Then, we manufacture and install brand-new doors and drawer fronts made from a solid, one-piece engineered wood and finished in a durable, easy-to-clean Thermofoil. This proven method solves the major issues commonly seen with repainted cabinets.

     

When comparing cabinet refacing vs painting, many homeowners are surprised to learn that refacing offers longer-lasting value and a faster turnaround—with a modern, factory-finish look that painted cabinets rarely achieve.

kitchen remodel after thermofoil doors kitchen refresh


7 Reasons We Don’t Paint Cabinet Doors

  1. Cost: Repainting cabinet doors correctly is labor-intensive and often more expensive than expected. A full cabinet refresh often provides greater value.

  2. Time: Prepping doors for paint (sanding, priming, multiple coats) adds weeks or even months to your timeline. And decisions like whether or not to paint the backs of doors add even more complexity.

  3. Finish Quality: Painted doors are vulnerable to brush marks, drips, and uneven coverage. Shaker-style doors often collect paint in crevices, leading to buildup, runs, and hard-to-clean surfaces. Even with expert effort, the final result rarely looks as clean or polished as a refaced door.

  4. Durability: Painted cabinets quickly show signs of wear, especially in high-touch areas. Scratches, chips, and discoloration can appear in just a few months.

  5. Cracking and Splitting: Wood expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. This movement causes cracks and splits in painted doors, especially at panel joints. Our one-piece engineered doors eliminate this issue.

  6. Hardware and Hinges: Changing out your hardware? Filling old holes rarely looks seamless, and repositioning new handles is difficult to align perfectly. Painting around or over hinges results in cracking and chipping. Kitchen Refresh installs new concealed, soft-close hinges with every door replacement.

  7. Client Experience: We’ve been called in to “rescue” kitchens where repaints were abandoned due to time, frustration, or poor results. In the end, those homeowners paid twice: once for the failed repaint, and again for the professional fix.

Close-up of chipped and worn painted kitchen cabinet door showing early signs of wear and tear


Why Choose Kitchen Refresh?

  • New doors and drawer fronts in solid, engineered wood

  • Thermofoil finishes that resist daily wear

  • Soft-close, concealed hinges for a clean look

  • Precision-drilled hardware placement with robotic technology

Our cabinet refacing process is efficient, durable, and designed to give you a stunning result without the mess and uncertainty of painting.

Want to see real results? Check out our cabinet refacing gallery to see the difference.

View of the Kitchen Refresh Rochester design studio entry with product displays and design inspiration.


Ready for a Real Transformation?

Let us help you fall in love with your kitchen again. Schedule your free consultation today and see how easy a Kitchen Refresh can be.

Schedule your free design consultation at KitchenRefresh.net/locations to get started.

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Ready to Start Your Transformation?

Ready for a change but not sure where to start? Browse our popular cabinet door styles and color palettes, or try our interactive estimator! It's a fun way to experiment with different looks for your cabinets and get a free online estimate in minutes.

Estimate now Book Free Consultation

What exactly does a standard Kitchen Refresh include?

A standard Kitchen Refresh focuses on transforming the look of your cabinets efficiently and affordably. It includes:

  • Replacing all your existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts with brand new, solid, custom-made ones in the style and finish you choose.
  • Professionally painting your existing cabinet boxes (frames) to perfectly match or complement your new doors and fronts.
  • Installing new concealed, soft-close hinges for a modern touch and quiet operation.
  • Adding stylish new cabinet hardware (handles and knobs).

This targeted approach creates a dramatic update without needing to tear out your entire kitchen. The core Refresh is focused on the cabinets themselves, but some locations also offer options to replace countertops or backsplashes.

 

How long does the Kitchen Refresh installation actually take?

One of our biggest advantages is speed! The on-site installation portion of your Kitchen Refresh is typically completed in just 1 to 5 days, depending on the size and complexity of your kitchen. This is significantly faster than a traditional remodel, which can take weeks or even months, minimizing disruption to your home and routine. The process includes preparation, cabinet box painting, and final installation of your new doors, drawer fronts, and hardware.

The best part? Your kitchen remains functional throught the whole process!

Is Kitchen Refresh really that much cheaper than a traditional kitchen remodel?

Yes! Because we focus on replacing the most visible elements (doors and drawer fronts) and refreshing the existing cabinet boxes rather than demolishing and replacing everything, our process is significantly more cost-effective. Homeowners typically save up to 75% compared to the cost of a conventional, full custom cabinet replacement or major remodel. You get a beautiful, high-impact update without the massive expense.

What kind of quality are the new cabinet doors and drawer fronts?

We pride ourselves on providing a high-quality, durable finish. Your new cabinet doors and drawer fronts are brand new, custom-manufactured in North Dakota. They are designed to withstand daily kitchen use and maintain their beauty for years to come. We offer a wide variety of styles and finishes, all selected for their quality and aesthetic appeal.

Fast. Beautiful. Affordable.

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