It is a major task to repaint your kitchen cabinets. Fortunately, it can yield big results in the form of a beautiful and budget-friendly transformation. Cabinet painting lets you take old, dated, dinged-up cabinets and give them a fresh new look, upgrading your whole kitchen.

If you’ve never painted kitchen cabinets on your own, it can be intimidating. You might not know the best approach to take or what challenges may come up. Here are four questions to ask yourself before you pick up your paintbrush and decide if you’re prepared to tackle this project or if you should leave it to the cabinet painting professionals.

Question #1: How much time will it take to repaint my kitchen cabinets?

While repainting your kitchen cabinets is faster and easier than a full cabinet replacement, it can still take a lot of time. The more time you can devote to it, the better your results will be. Do you think you have the time and patience to perform quality work? If you have a demanding job or a family with small children, time could be an issue. Depending on the number of cabinets you have, your skill level, and the amount of time you can devote each day, it could take several days or even weeks to complete. 

Additionally, your kitchen – perhaps your whole main living area – could be messy or possibly unusable during this time. Any kitchen update or remodeling project will impact your daily life and family in a significant way. Are you prepared to live with that for the amount of time it takes to refinish your cabinets? 

If you don’t realistically have the time to paint your cabinets on your own, the good news is that professional cabinet painters are an affordable option that will deliver top-quality results. Cabinet painting professionals finish the job much quicker so there’s less downtime for you and your family. 

Question #2: What materials are my cabinets made of?

You probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what your cabinets are made of, but it can make a difference in painting your cabinets. Cabinets can be made from solid wood or engineered wood, such as MDF, particleboard, or plywood that is covered by a wood veneer. It’s important to know ahead of time what your kitchen cabinets are made of so you can choose the proper painting products. 

Solid wood cabinets are the easiest to paint and will yield the best results. If they’re not solid wood, it’s important to know ahead of time that paint does not adhere to other surfaces as easily. They are more likely to peel and chip, especially if you don’t properly prep your cabinets with light sanding before priming. It’s also important to choose the proper paint for your cabinets. 

The best approach to cabinet painting is to test a small area that’s out of sight, like inside a cabinet door, with sanding, priming, and painting. To test the sample area, touch it frequently, and wipe it down repeatedly with a damp cloth. You want to mimic the wear and usage your cabinets will see on a daily basis. If the paint starts to peel or chip, talk to a professional cabinet painter who can handle the job with professional products and expert knowledge. 

Question #3: Do I want the wood grain visible?

Lately, we’ve seen a lot of people turn to cabinet painting as a way to cover up the wood grain for a more modern look. If your cabinets are stained or made from hardwood, do you want to continue to see the wood grain? If you don’t, you’ll need to prepare the cabinets, choose an opaque paint, and probably apply several layers to fully cover the grain. 

If you prefer the wood grain showing for a more natural wood look, you will need to use something like a stain rather than paint. What you use depends on what color your cabinets are and what color you’d like them to be. Light cabinets can be stained a darker color, but it’s harder to work with already dark cabinets. 

If you want a very specific look, we recommend talking to a professional painter who will know the appropriate approach to take and the products to use to deliver the look you want. 

Question #4: Am I too particular about details or small imperfections?

If you’re a perfectionist and know you’re going to spend hours fussing over one small detail, taking a DIY approach might not be for you. If you know a drip mark will drive you insane, weigh the costs and benefits of hiring a cabinet painting professional.

Other considerations when repainting kitchen cabinets

While painting cabinets can dramatically change the feel of your kitchen, it can’t solve everything. If you don’t like the layout or the door style of your cabinets, you will still be bothered by these issues after painting. If your cabinet layout bothers you, you’re better off with a complete cabinet renovation so you can achieve a configuration that makes more sense for your kitchen. Or, if you want a new door style, refacing can change the door fronts to a more modern style. 

If you are considering a full kitchen remodel but dreading the costs, remember that repainting kitchen cabinets is more cost-effective than replacing them. Cabinet painting is a fraction of the cost of a full replacement. However, if you handle the project on your own and make mistakes, you’ll either have to live with them or hire a cabinet painter to fix them. This will wind up costing you more in the long run. That’s why it can be best to start with an experienced professional who has access to premium products and cutting-edge equipment. You’ll have less stress, a faster turnaround, and cabinets with a beautiful, flawless finish.

Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Albuquerque

Do you want to find out more about repainting your kitchen cabinets with a professional? N-Hance of Albuquerque is the trusted specialist in cabinet makeovers! Call (505) 314-1997 today for a FREE consultation and price quote.