Kitchen cabinets set the tone for the whole room. If yours are dated, scuffed or just not your style anymore, painting them is one of the most noticeable updates you can make without tearing out a single box. Here's what Charlotte-area homeowners should know before they start, from whether your cabinets are good candidates to how the work is done and what goes into the price.
Is painting right for your cabinets?
Painting works best when the cabinets themselves are in good shape and you like the layout. If the boxes are sturdy, the doors close properly and you just want a new look, paint can give you that for far less disruption than a remodel.
Good candidates usually include:
- Solid wood cabinets, including oak, maple and cherry
- Painted or stained MDF doors and frames
- Older builder-grade cabinets that are solid but dated
Replacing may make more sense if cabinets have water damage, swollen or crumbling particleboard, sagging shelves or doors that no longer line up. If you want to move the sink, add an island or change the layout, paint won't solve that either. Laminate and thermofoil doors can be tricky, because paint has a hard time sticking to them. If you're not sure which kind you have, we can take a look during your free estimate.
How cabinet painting works
A cabinet finish is only as good as the prep underneath it. Kitchens collect grease, steam and fingerprints, and paint won't hold on to any of that for long. This is the process we follow for cabinet painting:
- Remove and label. Doors, drawer fronts and hardware come off and are labeled, so every piece goes back exactly where it came from.
- Protect the kitchen. Countertops, floors, appliances and the inside of the boxes are covered.
- Clean and degrease. Every surface is cleaned so the primer can bond to the wood, not to cooking residue.
- Repair and sand. Dings and gouges are filled, and surfaces are sanded so the primer has something to grip.
- Prime. A bonding primer goes on next. It helps the paint stick and keeps stains and wood tannins from bleeding through.
- Paint. A durable cabinet-grade paint goes on in thin, even coats for a smooth finish.
- Reinstall. Once the finish is dry, doors, drawers and hardware go back on and are adjusted.
What affects the cost
Every kitchen is different, so the most reliable number is a quote based on your actual cabinets. These are the things that move the price up or down:
- Number of doors and drawers. Each piece is cleaned, sanded, primed and painted on both sides, so the count matters more than the size of the room.
- Condition. Cabinets that need a lot of repairs, or have peeling old paint, take more prep time.
- Wood grain. Oak has a deep, open grain that shows through paint. Some homeowners like that texture, and others want it filled for a smooth look, which adds labor.
- Big color changes. Going from dark stained wood to a bright white can take extra primer or an extra coat.
- Extras. An island, crown molding, open shelving or painting the cabinet interiors all add to the scope.
It can also make sense to paint the kitchen walls and ceiling or a bathroom vanity in the same visit, so everything matches. Ask about kitchen painting and bathroom painting when you request your estimate.
How long it takes and living with the work
Cabinet painting takes longer than painting a room, because each door gets several steps and each coat needs time to dry. Plan for part of your kitchen to be out of commission for several days. Charlotte's humid summer weather can slow drying, so the schedule may need a little more room in July than it does in October.
After the doors go back on, the paint keeps hardening for a while. For the first few weeks, wipe the cabinets gently with a soft cloth, avoid harsh cleaners and try not to bump doors with pots and pans. After that, they can handle normal everyday cleaning.
Choosing a color and finish
White and off-white cabinets stay popular because they brighten a kitchen and go with almost any countertop. Soft grays, warm greige tones and deeper colors like navy or green work well too, especially on an island for a two-tone look. Whatever you pick, look at samples next to your countertops, backsplash and floors, since those aren't changing.
For sheen, satin and semi-gloss are the usual choices. They're easier to wipe clean than flatter finishes and hold up better to daily use. For more help picking colors, read our guide to choosing interior paint colors for your Charlotte home.
Planning on new hardware?
New knobs and pulls are a great way to finish the look. If the new pulls have a different hole spacing than the old ones, tell us before the work starts. The old holes can be filled and new ones drilled before painting, so you don't end up with patched spots showing through the new finish.
Ready to update your kitchen?
If your cabinets are solid but tired, painting can make your kitchen feel brand new. Lucas Painting Services paints cabinets for homeowners in Charlotte and across our service areas. We'll look at your cabinets, talk through colors and finishes and give you a clear quote before any work starts.