Should You Paint or Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets?

A dated kitchen is one of the most common reasons Las Vegas homeowners call us. Orange oak, scratched builder white, or a color that was popular fifteen years ago can make an otherwise nice house feel old. The big question is whether to paint the cabinets you have or tear them out and start over.

For most kitchens in the valley, painting wins. Here is how to decide.

When painting is the right call

Painting or refinishing makes sense when:

• The cabinet boxes are solid. Most builder cabinets in Las Vegas homes from the 1990s onward are structurally fine. What looks bad is the finish.
• You like the layout. If the kitchen works for you and you only want it to look different, there is no reason to rebuild it.
• You want to keep your countertops. Replacing cabinets almost always means replacing countertops too, which can double the cost.
• You want it done fast. A typical cabinet painting job takes about four to seven working days. A replacement can take weeks, with the kitchen out of commission.
• You are getting ready to sell. Painted cabinets photograph beautifully and give you a lot of impact for the money.

When replacing makes more sense

• Water damage. Swollen, delaminating particle board under the sink or near the dishwasher will not hold paint. Sometimes a few boxes can be replaced and matched; sometimes the whole run needs to go.
• You want a different layout. Moving the sink, adding an island or changing where the appliances go means new cabinets.
• Thermofoil or laminate that is peeling. These slick plastic finishes are hard to paint reliably once they start to lift.

What a professional cabinet painting job includes

Cabinets are not walls. A brush mark you would never notice on drywall is obvious on a cabinet door you look at every day. A quality job includes:

1. Masking the whole kitchen. Counters, backsplash, appliances and floors sealed off.
2. Degreasing. Years of cooking residue have to come off, or nothing sticks.
3. Sanding to give the primer something to grip.
4. Grain filling on oak, if you want a smooth modern look instead of visible wood grain.
5. A bonding primer made for slick cabinet surfaces.
6. Sprayed cabinet-grade enamel for a smooth, hard, factory-like finish.

Popular cabinet colors right now

• White and warm off-white remain the most requested, especially when going from oak.
• Two-tone kitchens with light perimeter cabinets and a dark or colored island.
• Black, charcoal and deep green islands as a bold anchor in open floor plans.
• Greige and soft gray for a neutral look that pairs with most countertops.

Do not forget the bathrooms

The same process works on bathroom vanities, laundry room cabinets and built-in entertainment centers. Adding the vanities to a kitchen project is an easy way to make the whole house feel updated at once.

"Armando and his team painted every square inch of our new home, both inside and outside, plus stained all our kitchen cabinets and put epoxy on our garage floors." – Aaron M., Google review

See what your kitchen could look like

We will look at your cabinets, tell you honestly whether they are good candidates for painting, and give you a free written estimate. Call or text (702) 580-9237, or learn more about cabinet painting and refinishing.

Frequently asked questions

How long do painted cabinets last?

Properly prepped cabinets with a bonding primer and cabinet-grade enamel hold up for many years of daily use. The finish continues to harden for a few weeks after painting, so be gentle while it cures.

Can you paint oak cabinets white?

Yes. Oak to white is the most common cabinet job we do. If you do not want the oak grain to show through, we fill the grain before priming.

Do I have to move out of the kitchen?

No. The cabinets and counters are covered during the work, but most families keep using the refrigerator and microwave. We plan the schedule around you.