Painting kitchen cabinets or kitchen cabinet refacing: which is the best option for you? In this article, we will take a look at both options and help you decide which one is right for your home. Both are ways to give your kitchen a new look, but they are very different processes. Kitchen cabinet painting can be a great way to update your kitchen without spending a lot of money, but it does have some drawbacks. Kitchen cabinet refacing can be more expensive, but it has many benefits that may make it the better choice for your home. We will discuss both options in detail and help you decide which one is right for you.
What Is Kitchen Cabinet Refacing?
Kitchen cabinet refacing is the process of resurfacing your kitchen cabinets or replacing the visible portion of your cabinets. This usually involves adding a new veneer or laminate to your kitchen cabinets, which can improve their appearance and lifespan. Kitchen cabinet refacing can also involve changing the hardware on your cabinets, such as knobs and handles. The result is that your kitchen cabinets will look like new, without the expense of buying all new cabinets.
Benefits of kitchen cabinet refacing
There are a number of reasons why you might want to consider kitchen cabinet refacing.
- It is much less expensive than buying all new cabinets. The most obvious reason is that it can save you a lot of money. If your cabinets are in good condition but you are tired of the way they look, refacing them is a much cheaper option than buying all new cabinets.
- It can be completed in a fraction of the time it would take to install new cabinets. Unlike replacing the entire cabinet, refacing only involves changing the door fronts and adding a new veneer or laminate. This means that kitchen cabinet refacing can be completed in just a day or two.
- You can customize the look of your kitchen cabinets. When you reface your kitchen cabinets, you have the opportunity to completely customize the look of your kitchen. You can choose new doors, hardware, and finishes to give your kitchen cabinets a whole new look.
- It can dramatically improve the appearance of your kitchen without requiring a lot of work or investment.
- It is a great way to update your kitchen without having to do a complete renovation.
Disadvantages of kitchen cabinet refacing
There are also some disadvantages to kitchen cabinet refacing:
- If your cabinets are in poor condition, refacing may not be the best option. In this case, it might be necessary to replace them entirely.
- Refacing does not always give you the opportunity to change the layout of your kitchen.
- It can be more expensive than painting your cabinets.
- You will need to hire a professional to do the work. Kitchen cabinet refacing is not a DIY project (you can if you want to try, but it is not recommended if you don’t have any professional skills). You will need to hire a professional to do the work, which can add to the cost.
What is Kitchen Cabinet Painting?
Kitchen cabinet painting is exactly what it sounds like, painting your kitchen cabinets. This can be a great way to change the color of your cabinets, or simply refresh their appearance if they’re starting to look worn. Kitchen cabinet painting is usually less expensive than kitchen cabinet refacing, but it doesn’t have the same longevity.
Benefits of Kitchen Cabinet Painting
There are a few benefits to painting your kitchen cabinets:
- It is less expensive than refacing. The most obvious benefit is that it is less expensive than kitchen cabinet refacing. If you’re on a budget, painting your cabinets can be a great way to save money.
- You can DIY it. If you’re handy and have some time, you can paint your own cabinets. This can save you even more money. The caution here is if you don’t paint it well, it will show and might be worse off than it was. If you’re not confident in your painting skills, it’s best to hire a professional.
- It’s a great way to change the color of your cabinets. If you’re tired of the current color of your cabinets, painting them is a great way to give them a new look.
- You can add some personality to your kitchen. With paint, you can really get creative and add some personality to your kitchen. You can use stencils, paint your cabinets two different colors, or even add a design.
Disadvantages of Kitchen Cabinet Painting
There are also some disadvantages to painting your kitchen cabinets:
- It is not as durable as refacing. The biggest disadvantage of painting your kitchen cabinets is that it is not as durable as refacing. Paint can chip and scratch more easily than laminate or wood veneer.
- It can be time-consuming. Painting your kitchen cabinets can take a lot of time, especially if you have a large kitchen.
- The paint job might not be perfect. If you’re not careful, the paint job might not turn out the way you want it to.
- You will need to repaint eventually. Unlike refacing, which can last for years, painting your cabinets is a temporary solution. You will eventually have to repaint them.
Comparing Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Vs. Kitchen Cabinet Painting
Cost
Refacing is more expensive than painting. With refacing, you will need to hire a professional and buy new doors, hardware, and finishes which can be costly. Painting your cabinets on the other hand is less expensive. You can either DIY it or hire a professional. Either way, the cost will be less than refacing.
Longevity
Refacing is more durable than painting. The new doors, hardware, and finishes will last for years with proper care. Painting your cabinets, on the other hand, is not as durable. The paint can chip and scratch more easily than laminate or wood veneer.
Time
Refacing takes less time than painting. You can usually have your kitchen back in a few days with refacing. Painting your cabinets can take a lot longer, especially if you have a large kitchen.
Customization
Refacing allows for more customization than painting. With refacing, you can change the color, style, and hardware of your cabinets. Painting your cabinets only allows you to change the color only.
Layout
You can change the layout with refacing, but not with painting. With refacing, you can change the layout of your kitchen by moving around the doors and hardware. With painting, the layout will stay the same.
Home Value
When it is time to sell your property, cabinet refacing will add more value to your home than painting. This is because refacing is a more permanent solution that potential buyers will appreciate.
DIY
Painting can be done DIY, but refacing cannot. If you want to save money, painting your cabinets is a great option. You can either DIY it or hire a professional. With refacing, you will need to hire a professional.
Painting Vs Refacing Kitchen Cabinet, Which One Should You Choose?
Now that you know the difference between painting and refacing kitchen cabinets, which one should you choose? Your choice mostly depends on the conditions of the cabinets, your budget, and the overall feel you want to achieve. There are instances where painting makes more sense than refacing and vice versa. Let’s take a look at some examples:
When to Reface Your Kitchen Cabinet
You might want to reface your kitchen cabinet when any of these reasons are present:
- You want to increase the value of your home.
- Your cabinet’s exterior is in bad condition and needs to be replaced
- You want to install new handles and hardware without replacing the entire cabinet.
- You want to customize the look of your kitchen cabinets.
- If you want to change the layout of your kitchen
- Your cabinets shelves and interior are in good condition but just want to change the style or exterior.
- You want the impression of a newly installed kitchen without the cost or mess of a complete renovation.
When to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
On the other hand, you might want to paint your kitchen cabinet when:
- You’re on a budget.
- You want to change the color of your cabinets.
- You want to add some personality to your kitchen.
- If your cabinets are in good condition and you like the current layout but just want to refresh its appearance.
- You don’t mind repainting every few years.
As you can see, there are pros and cons to both painting and refacing kitchen cabinets. It really depends on your specific situation as to which one is best for you. If you need help deciding, we suggest talking to a professional kitchen designer or contractor. They will be able to give you specific advice based on your needs and wants.