DIY Disaster Prevention: Why You Shouldn’t Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

Updating your kitchen, matching new décor, covering damage, or trying to save a buck. We’re familiar with all the reasons why people give their cabinets DIY facelifts.

However, letting anticipation and excitement cloud your judgment can lead to major regrets. Today, we’re discussing why you shouldn’t paint your kitchen cabinets. Keep reading to get the pros, cons, current trends, and some alternatives to painting cabinets. 

Three reasons why you shouldn’t paint your kitchen cabinets

Adding a coat or two of paint is the most popular way to refresh a room without a full remodel. Here are the biggest reasons why you should stick to painting a wall, not your cabinets. 

1. The prep is more important than the paint, and it’s not a beginner’s job.

Don’t get us wrong, the paint is very important–quality, base, and finish. That said, if your final results look streaky or uneven, the paint may not even be to blame. Visible brush strokes aren’t all about your tools and technique, either. It’s how much you put into preparation.

Before painting, all cabinets must be deep cleaned, sanded, and primed. When dealing with more detailed kitchen cabinet styles, you’ll find this isn’t so easy. Some materials don’t even support this level of surface preparation. 

Furthermore, taping off hardware instead of removing it and reinstalling it leads to more mistakes. When it comes down to it, painting is the easy part. 

2. It’s not a long-lasting solution.

Are you prepared to perform touch-ups as often as needed? Even with decent prep, products, and application, DIY painted cabinets are more susceptible to cosmetic issues. Drips get peeled off, or it begins to lift around the hardware. One swift move creates a ding or mark that won’t scrub off. Overall, the finish wears down faster.

And then there’s the second-most common complaint. Now that the color’s on, you don’t like it as much.

Maybe you see this as a plus. If you paint your cabinets yourself, you can change them as needed. However, stripping and refinishing cabinets for another few coats of fresh paint is twice as hard as that initial project.

If you want your cabinets to look great for years, do not paint them.

3. Sometimes, it isn’t as cost-effective as you think. 

A good DIY job often takes longer than a professional one. Up to three times longer, in fact. Be honest with yourself about what your time and labor are worth. Calculate the cost of all materials, estimate your “hourly rate,” and compare that against the cost of other solutions. Factor in the increased longevity you’d get from professional results. 

The other consideration is property value. A professional paint job with new hardware may help move a property. However, if you take a paintbrush to oak cabinets yourself, it’s unlikely to add any value to your home. There’s a good chance a buyer would demolish them and start all over. 

Painting kitchen cabinets: Pros and cons

While we’re focusing on why you shouldn’t paint your kitchen cabinets, we must acknowledge why you want to. Here are the benefits and drawbacks at a glance. 

What’s trending in kitchen cabinets?

Slab and slim shaker cabinets are two sleeker styles trending now. These are good for low-profile, clean, elegant looks. Slab styles look contemporary, while slim shaker modernizes classic cabinetry. 

Color-wise, blues, greens, and warmer neutrals are gaining in popularity. Two-toned kitchens are still a golden opportunity to create interesting, lived-in designs.

Expect to see the resurgence of wood as well. White oak and walnut are fulfilling homeowners’ desires to incorporate more natural materials into their remodels. No painting necessary.

The best alternatives to painting cabinets

Have you finally been talked out of painting those cabinets? Here’s what you can do instead.

Refinishing cabinets.

Revive, don’t hide, natural wood cabinets. Stains and sealants may have aged and discolored over time. This is why they have a look you’re desperately trying to move away from. A pro can strip old layers, sand out imperfections, apply stain in a more pleasing tone, and reseal them. 

Replacing cabinet hardware.

If budget is a major concern, do your best to repair and deep clean your current cabinets. Then, bring everything up to date with new hardware. Today’s broader, trending hardware selection exceeds expectations.

There are great options for updating your shaker cabinets with new hardware.

Refacing your cabinets.

When you reface your cabinets, you keep the foundational box, replacing only the fronts. A veneer may also be applied to change the look of the box. This is a good option if you’re watchful of budget and approve of your existing layout.

Full replacement. 

Long-lasting results, layout changes, added value, and a look that’s precisely what you want. It doesn’t get any better than brand-new cabinets, hardware, and storage solutions tailored to your lifestyle. This is also the way to go if you’re replacing a countertop or other major design element. Combining the project simplifies design and installation.

The Designery offers beautiful, long-lasting cabinet solutions.

Patching together a solution for an outdated or unsuitable kitchen is an inefficient use of your budget, even when you DIY some of the tasks. And few DIY disasters are more devastating than poorly painted cabinets. 

Don’t wait to consult a pro until after making a big mistake. A professional designer is happy to speak with you free of charge. Your local Designery is an all-inclusive source of guidance, products, materials, custom work, and even installation. 

“The entire process was very smooth, professional, and communicative. The Designery ensured that their work was done in quick fashion and their cabinets were of high quality…We will be using The Designery for all our remodeling needs!”

Cole, Designery client

Zero hassle, minimal prep, unbeatable results. Find the Designery showroom nearest you to begin.