In many homes, the kitchen is where the magic happens. Even if your culinary finesse extends to boiling water, this is where we gather with family, help with homework, chat with friends over coffee, and make memories that last a lifetime. Sometimes, the heart of the home is strong – but certain elements could use a face lift. If your décor is outdated or simply does not spark joy, it’s time for a change. Refreshing your cabinets can transform the entire look and feel of your kitchen, instantly updating and elevating your look.
Should you reface, repaint, or replace your cabinets? Let’s find the best solution for your needs, budget, and style.
When deciding between repainting vs refacing cabinets, you may first want to consider the bigger impact refacing can make. Refacing cabinets means the basic framework and structure of your cabinets (i.e. the cabinet box) is left intact. It is the “skins” that are replaced; the doors and drawer fronts are swapped out for new, updated styles and finishes while the bases are often painted to match. Typically, the hinges, handles, and drawer pulls are also replaced to achieve an effective makeover. Replacing your countertops as well could make it feel like an entirely new space.
Before you schedule your cabinet refacing project, though, it is important to remember that it can be more expensive than you realize. For example, you may need custom doors made and bases painted to match. Material also plays a role: refacing with laminate is relatively inexpensive, but higher quality veneers and real wood veneers do edge the price up. Adding in any custom features like rollouts or other built-in accessories can also drive up the final cost.
Another consideration: if you want wood-stained cabinets, it is highly likely that the bases and doors will not be a perfect match. They’ll be close – but typically not 100%. Most guests would never notice, but for perfectionists, this can be a sticking point when it comes to refacing.
Yes! This is the quickest way to give your kitchen a makeover, and you have no end of vibrant options from which to choose. Whether you follow the latest color trends (like Pantone’s Color of the Year) or you want to introduce a contrasting or complimentary tone to your space, repainting is fast and effective. Repainting is appropriate if, as we mentioned above, you love the current layout of your cabinets, and the structures are in good shape.
When it comes to repainting vs refacing, cost can often be a leading factor. So, how much does it cost to repaint cabinets? Typically, it’s about $120 for a cabinet with a drawer and $150 for a cabinet with a door. Another way to estimate cost is to plan for about $35 per square foot of cabinets.
However, when it comes to repainting cabinets be aware that the surfaces build up more grease and dust than refaced surfaces. You will need to spend more time cleaning them, and if you don’t have them professionally done you will likely want or need to repaint in a few years.
Repainting is a great way to refresh a dated aesthetic. You may also want to upgrade the style of your cabinets by swapping out your old hardware for something more modern, or again, replacing your countertops. Although keep in mind, if your bases aren’t in good enough condition, they won’t hold up to repainting, refacing, or new counters.
There are some situations in which you should forget refacing or repainting and opt to install new cabinets:
Still not sure which path will bring you to your dream kitchen? If you are weighing the pros and cons of refacing, repainting, or replacing cabinets, get in touch with the ACo team. We will provide either a free in-home consultation or virtual in-home design assistance. Every step of the process can be completed remotely, while delivering the full benefit of our experts’ knowledge and experience.
As always, with ACo’s worry-free approach, we will give you the information and insight you need to make the right decision for your home, your budget, and your lifestyle so you can love where you live.
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