# Should You Paint or Reface Your Kitchen Cabinets? An Expert Comparison - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/which-is-cheaper-painting-or-refacing-kitchen-cabinets/ - Published: 2023-10-26 - Author: Lillie Gabler - Categories: [Tips](https://33rdsquare.com/category/home/tips/) --- Hey there! I‘m Lillie, your go-to gal for all things home renovation and interior design. If you‘re deliberating between refacing or painting your outdated kitchen cabinets, I‘m here to provide my expert insight into both options. By the end, you‘ll have all the details you need to decide which upgrade works best for your space and budget! ## Refacing Your Cabinets: What Does It Entail? Let‘s start by breaking down the cabinet refacing process. When you reface your cabinets, you‘ll keep the existing cabinet boxes but replace the doors, drawer fronts, and exterior trimwork. It transforms the look of your kitchen while avoiding the cost of full cabinet replacements. During refacing, your contractor will: - Remove existing doors, drawers and hardware - Strip surface material from cabinet frames - Repair/fill any damaged spots on frames - Add new wood veneers, laminates or thermofoil wraps - Install new doors, drawers and hardware - Apply fresh paint or stain You can select new shaker-style doors, add distinct door profiles like inset panels or beadboard details, and customize with glass cabinet inserts. Refacing allows you to completely change the style and finish of your cabinets. I‘d recommend refacing if your cabinet boxes are structurally sound but the doors and exterior are damaged or out-of-date. It‘s also ideal if you want to change the size, layout or functionality of your cabinets. The new custom configurations will give your kitchen a high-end, bespoke look. ## How Much Does Cabinet Refacing Cost On Average? The national average cost to reface kitchen cabinets is **$4,500-6,000.** While you may find quotes as low as $3,000 or as high as $10,000 depending on where you live and the scale of your project, most homeowners pay $4,500 to $7,500 to reface their cabinets professionally. Here‘s a breakdown of what impacts the overall refacing cost: - **Your Kitchen‘s Size and Layout** – More and larger cabinets will cost more in materials and labor. Refacing a galley kitchen will run lower than an open concept kitchen. - **Cabinet Materials Selected** – Solid wood doors average $500-800 per cabinet door. Wood veneers or thermofoils average $150-300 per door. - **Door Styles and Details** – Intricate door designs require more time and skill to install. Simple shaker-style doors help reduce costs. - **Contractor Rates in Your Area** – Labor averages 50% of the total price. Rates range from $70/hour in small towns to $125/hour in big cities. - **Accessibility of Cabinets** – Hard-to-reach corner or upper cabinets may carry an added fee. To stay on budget, keep your design simple. Standard cabinet sizes, neutral colors, and flat recessed panel doors help control material expenses. Your contractor can recommend ways to maximize style while reducing sticker shock. ## What‘s Involved in Painting Kitchen Cabinets? Unlike refacing, painting cabinets keeps your existing doors, drawer fronts and cabinet materials intact. The process includes: - Lightly sanding doors to rough up the surface - Applying 2-3 coats of high-adhesion primer - Finishing with 2-3 coats of cabinet paint or enamel - Detaching and spray painting doors for full coverage - Installing new hardware (optional) Painted cabinets cost a fraction compared to refacing or replacement. And you can DIY paint cabinets with basic equipment and a weekend of work. Paint allows you to transform the look of your kitchen through color – from airy white shaker cabinets to daring navy blue doors. Simply cleaning cabinet surfaces and applying fresh paint can work wonders. ## How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets? The average cost to paint a 10×10 kitchen falls between **$800-1,500** depending on whether you DIY or hire a professional. If you paint the cabinets yourself, you‘ll spend: - **$100-250 on paint and supplies** – Quality cabinet paint costs $50-70 per gallon. Other supplies add $50-100. - **$200-550 for potential repairs** – Filling holes, fixing drawers/doors that stick. So **$300-800 total** for most DIYers to paint their kitchen cabinets. Hiring a pro adds: - **$300-700 for labor** – To prep, paint cabinets, and clean up. Bringing the total professional cost to **$800-1,500**. Factors that increase painting costs include: - Needing extra paint for larger/more cabinets. - Priming first for a smoother finished look. - Detaching doors and drawers to paint separately. - Adding new hardware which can cost $200-500. I recommend using satin or semi-gloss cabinet paint ($50/gallon) for a sleek, wipeable finish. High-quality applicators like mini paint sprayers also improve results. ## Key Differences Between Cabinet Painting vs Refacing Now that we‘ve broken down the processes and costs, let‘s discuss the major differences between painting and refacing your cabinets: - **Refacing replaces doors, fronts and trim** – Painting utilizes existing cabinet components. - **Refacing has pricier materials** – New wood/veneer cabinet pieces range $100-800 per door. Paint is $50-70 per gallon. - **Painting takes less time** – No need to remove/replace doors reduces labor hours. - **Painting can be DIY‘ed** – Refacing requires experienced contractors. - **Refacing lasts 10-15 years** – Fresh paint starts fading after 3-5 years. **Painting is the budget-pick for subtle updates under $1,500.** Refacing makes sense for full-on transformations given its $4,500+ price tag. If your cabinets are in good shape structurally, paint can give them years of new life very affordably. But if you want to change the cabinet layout or replace damaged cabinets, refacing is worth the investment. ## How Much Do Other Kitchen Upgrades Cost? Beyond just cabinets, kitchen upgrades add up fast. If your budget allows, you may want to consider other refreshes like: - **Countertop Replacements** – $1,500 (laminate) to $5,000+ (natural stone) - **Backsplashes** – Ceramic or glass tile costs $500-2,000 installed - **Sinks/Faucets** – $200 (drop-in sink) to $1,000+ (stone sink + designer faucet) - **Lighting/Fixtures** – $200-500 per new pendant light or sconce - **Flooring** – $3-6 per sq. ft. for materials + installation Selecting mid-range materials for countertops, backsplashes, and sinks keeps these ancillary projects under $5,000. Updating lighting and flooring can also breathe new life into your space. ## Key Questions to Consider Before Refacing or Painting Before investing in a cabinet makeover, ask yourself: - What‘s my total budget for a kitchen refresh? What price range is comfortable? - What‘s the current condition of my cabinets? Do doors and frames seem solid? - Do I want a subtle facelift or dramatic floor-to-ceiling transformation? - Do I prefer DIY or hiring a professional? What are my skill levels? - How long do I plan to stay in this home? Will I recoup upgrade costs if I sell? Being realistic about your budget, home value, and lifestyle needs will help you choose between painting vs refacing. If cost is your prime concern, paint may be the way to go. But if you‘re willing to invest more for a longer-lasting, custom look, refacing has fantastic potential. Your contractor can walk you through the options to dial in your dream design! ## Pros and Cons of Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets Let‘s recap the key upsides and downsides of refacing your cabinets: ### Pros of Refacing - Total transformation with brand new doors, fronts and finishes - Ability to reconfigure cabinet layout and functionality - Wide selection of custom looks – glass doors, built-ins, etc - Long lifespan of 10-15 years with proper care - Much cheaper than full cabinet replacement ### Cons of Refacing - More expensive than painting at $4,500+ on average - Existing cabinet boxes must be sturdy without defects - Installation causes kitchen disruption for 2-3 days - Limited DIY options – requires skilled contractors - Door styles are permanent – less flexibility long-term ## Pros and Cons of Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets And here are the major advantages and disadvantages of painting your cabinets: ### Pros of Painting Cabinets - Extremely budget-friendly at just $300-$1,500 - Relatively easy DIY project if you have painting skills - Provides subtle update without major disruption - Short turnaround time of 1-2 days - Retains existing cabinet doors and hardware ### Cons of Painting Cabinets - Doesn‘t fix damaged cabinets or change layout - Vulnerable to scratches and chips without care - Needs repainting every 3-5 years to keep fresh - Ruined cabinets can‘t be restored if painting job fails - Limited customization beyond color selection ## The Bottom Line: Refacing vs Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets **If keeping costs below $2,000 is your goal, paint is likely the best value.** It delivers visible results with minimal investment. Just properly prep and prime to ensure the finish adheres and withstands wear. On the other hand, **refacing is ideal for a head-to-toe redesign on a $4,000-7,000 budget.** The upfront cost is higher, but so is the visual payoff. New cabinet doors and finishes create a custom, upscale look. Choosing between painting vs refacing comes down to your budget, kitchen condition, and design tastes. My best advice is to get quotes from contractors on both options. They can help finalize pricing and recommend the most strategic upgrade path for your space. I hope mapping out the key differences between painting and refacing helps provide clarity! Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m happy to help you determine the refresh option that aligns with your home goals and budget. --- Source: [Should You Paint or Reface Your Kitchen Cabinets? An Expert Comparison](https://33rdsquare.com/which-is-cheaper-painting-or-refacing-kitchen-cabinets/)