Should I repaint or replace my kitchen cabinets?

If you own an older home you have likely considered the best course of action when it comes to renovating your kitchen or undertaking a kitchen remodel. Is it worth removing old kitchen cabinetry completely and replacing everything? Or is it worth leaving your current cabinets where they are and just repainting your kitchen cabinet doors? 

If you have your heart set on a kitchen renovation, you can get new cabinets in the colour you want, allowing you to tick both boxes. But if your concern is just the cabinets themselves, then painting kitchen cabinets might be the way to go.

The cost of repainting your kitchen cabinets

Painting kitchen cabinets is a fairly straightforward project. You can paint current kitchen cabinets with a good 3-in-1 primer, sealer, undercoat and then apply the new colour of your choice. Kitchen cupboard doors can be painted in almost any colour and there's no end of inspiration online. From country whites and creams to modern blacks and primary colours, almost anything goes when it comes to refreshing a tired kitchen with a splash of colour.

You can pick a colour that matches your kitchen counters, or contrasts nicely with them and creates a great colour palette. If you hire a professional painter you can expect to pay between $2000 and $5000 to have your kitchen repainted, depending on the size of your kitchen.

One middle-ground option is cabinet refacing. Cabinet refacing generally involves retaining your existing cabinet boxes and removing the cabinet doors so that they can be replaced or refinished. That is a fairly simple process, depending on your cabinet layout, but it does provide an alternative that might not be immediately obvious. Cabinet refinishing generally involves the removal of all cabinet hardware so that base cabinets, drawer fronts and kitchen cupboard doors can be repainted. Refacing cabinets can be a matter of replacing the doors themselves if they cannot be refreshed but generally refinishing cabinets is a matter of just fixing the doors themselves, rather than the whole cabinet.

A fresh coat of paint can make all the difference. But what if you have cabinets that really need to be replaced?

 

The cost of replacing your kitchen cabinets

Sometimes kitchen cabinets aren't worth saving and you need to undertake a kitchen cabinet replacement project. This can happen when cabinets have water damage, or just as part of a larger renovation project. Structural damage or long-term wear is another reason you might consider replacing kitchen cabinets rather than simply repainting them.

When you can't just paint cabinets, removing them and starting from scratch may be your only option. That said, replacing your kitchen cabinets is almost certainly the more expensive option.The average cost of a kitchen renovation is somewhere between $20,000 and $45,000 depending on fixtures, features and other choices. If you choose top-of-the-line luxury options it can be considerably more.

Renovating your whole kitchen can be a huge undertaking, especially if your benchtops and cabinets are in decent shape. Give serious consideration to whether replacing everything is worth it if you're just going to end up with the same layout. But there are lots of benefits to renovating a kitchen if that's the direction you decide to go in. You can reorient your kitchen to newer appliances, or appliances you use more than others. You can also give yourself more and more practical storage space.

 

Is it worth repainting kitchen cabinets?

 

Generally, yes. Repainting kitchen cabinets is relatively cheap, so if you like your current kitchen layout and your cupboards are structurally sound, repainting them can add a lot of value at very little cost. If you're looking to add value to your home from a real estate perspective, painting kitchen cabinets can be a great, cost-effective option.

 

A quick paint job can do wonders for an old kitchen and allows you to avoid the costs of a remodelling project. Wood cabinets can be painted or repainted, depending on their original finish. Or you could sand them back and go for stained cabinets that provide a rustic, country look.

Repainting is a great alternative to cabinet replacement, especially if your original cabinets have a few years left in them. Between giving your cabinets a new look, increasing the value of your home, and saving money by avoiding brand-new cabinets, the benefits of painting cabinets is evident.

 

Is it better to repaint or replace kitchen cabinets?

As we've already discussed, a lot of the decision is going to come down to personal circumstances. There's no simple one-size-fits-all answer. For some, repainting cabinets will be a great option, saving them time and money while transforming their kitchen.

For others, simultaneous projects or kitchen cabinets that are beyond savings will mean that replacing their cupboards and cabinets will be the more logical option. They'll have an opportunity to consider cabinet design, cabinet materials and any major components they want to build their cabinetry around.

Whether you aim for cabinet repainting or cabinet renovation, you'll have to consider a range of design options, what you'll do about counter tops, and the cost of your project in dollar terms. The most cost-effective solution is obviously worth considering, but don't just pick the cheaper option without doing some research. You might be surprised by some of the more affordable options.

 

What is the downside of painting cabinets?

Repainting cabinets changes their look and the style of your kitchen, but it doesn't change the integrity of the cabinet structure underneath. Kitchen cabinet wood is subject to a range of compromising substances and conditions and will continue to deteriorate faster than cabinets or cupboards in other rooms of your house.

It may be that once you repaint your cupboard doors and drawer fronts, you end up needing to replace the cabinets themselves a few years later. Yes, you'll get the benefit of a stylish kitchen until then, but you're spending a lot of money just to postpone the inevitable.

Painting your kitchen cabinets can be a great, cost effective option that gives your cupboards a few more years of use. But remember, it doesn't solve any structural problems and is mostly about aesthetics.

 

Why is it so expensive to paint kitchen cabinets?

While replacing kitchen cabinets is significantly more expensive, painting kitchen cabinets can be expensive, especially compared to other painting projects. But really, that makes sense. Cabinet doors need to be removed or taped off to protect other kitchen furnishings, cabinetry or fixtures and that process takes longer.

Professional painters charge more for removing doors, protecting surrounding cabinets or repairing damage to cabinets before they start painting. These additional costs aren't "hidden costs" really, but they do contribute to kitchen cabinet painting being a more expensive project than other painting work.

If you're worried about the cost of painting kitchen cabinets, talk to your professional painter about ways you could reduce costs and some of the things you could do yourself before they arrive.

 

Hire a professional kitchen cabinet painter on PaintAccess

The best part about getting your kitchen cabinets painted is that you can find a great professional painter right here with the help of PaintAccess.

 

After years of providing high-quality paint and painting supplies to professional painters throughout Australia as the country's first online paint and paint accessories retailer, we're now helping homeowners and other customers to find the painter they need for their project.

Simply head to our directory of painters to find a professional in your area. Then request a quote or chat to them about your project and some of the costs associated with what you want to do. It's quick and easy to find and hire a painter in your local area with the help of PaintAccess.

 

Frequently asked questions:

How much does it cost to get kitchen cabinets painted in Australia?

Our experts suggest that you should expect to pay between $2000 and $5000 to have your kitchen cabinets repainted. Of course, larger kitchens and luxury finishes can increase this cost and doing it as a DIY project can reduce these costs. You should chat to a couple of painters and get a quote before you start.

Do professionally painted cabinets last longer?

The cost of cabinet refacing can be considerable, especially if you hire a professional to do the job. That said, professionals have access to the best tools and the latest paint options, which means they might be able to find something that will ensure your cabinets last longer. Kitchen cabinets are subjected to steam, cooking odours, grease and other cooking-related things that can affect how long they last. If you're going to paint your cabinets as a DIY project, make sure you do your research and choose high-quality products.

Is it worth replacing all of my kitchen cabinets?

The simple answer is, it can be. If your cabinets have structural damage or water damage, replacing them completely can be a wise decision. Likewise, if you're already undertaking other home improvement projects, renovating your kitchen and replacing your kitchen cabinets can be a great idea.

What are the biggest benefits to painting my kitchen cabinets?

Painting kitchen cabinets is a cost-effective makeover solution that can transform your kitchen without the need for expensive renovations. If you're happy with the configuration of your kitchen, painting your cabinets can increase the value of your property, give your cabinets a new lease on life, update the style of your kitchen to suit the rest of your house, and modernise your kitchen quickly and relatively inexpensively.