The Pros And Cons Of Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Painting old kitchen cabinets has become a popular trend among homeowners who want to give their kitchen an upgrade, but don’t want to commit to an overhaul. Since cabinets are one of the most expensive features to replace in a kitchen remodel, painting them can be a great way to save money. However, this is no small decision. Painting over wood is not something you can easily take back, so before you get started on your cabinet painting project here are some points to consider.

Before you decide to paint your kitchen cabinets it’s important to take into account the current finish and quality of your cabinets, the design of your kitchen and the overall style of your home.

In many cases homeowners want to brighten up their kitchen and the easiest step in achieving that goal is to paint the walls and cabinets. However, if your home features beautiful dark wood moldings and trim throughout, painting your matching dark wood cabinets white, may not be the most appropriate design choice. Additionally, keep future buyers in mind when making this decision. Ultimately you want to add value to your kitchen, not detract from it. So if you already have beautiful cherry wood cabinets for example, find out if this could be a selling point in your home before you cover them up in paint. Also, don't forget that sanding and refinishing kitchen cabinets is also an option that can significantly enhance the look of tired and old cabinets.

After considering overall style and your desired aesthetic for your kitchen, it’s time to choose a paint color. If you’re looking for a bright and light kitchen you’re probably leaning toward white, however remember that there are hundreds of shades of white. Take your time deciding what color you’re going to go with. Place swatches on the faces of your cabinets for a few days to help solidify your decision.

Keep in mind that cabinets can become dirty quickly and your white cabinets will reveal dirt and grime much quicker and easier than dark wood. Choose either a semi-gloss or gloss finish for your cabinets since they are easy to clean.

If you’re ready to brighten up your kitchen with painted cabinets, remember that this is no easy feat. Leaving the painting up to a professional is the easiest way to ensure that your cabinets will look the best they can look with a fresh coat of paint. Find a qualified painting professional in your area here.