It has been found that on average, painting your kitchen cabinets and then pairing them with new hardware can significantly increase the value of your home by as much as an additional $2,000.
It's a cost-effective alternative to replacement, has the potential to increase home value significantly, and provides an impressive return on investment. For homeowners looking to update their kitchen and boost their property's value without a major renovation, painting cabinets is an excellent choice.
Moreover, a recent study by HomeLight found that over 60% of real estate agents recommend white, pale gray, or greige (a mixture of gray and beige) for kitchen cabinets to optimize a property's resale value.
Cabinets are subjected to daily use, which means they're exposed to wear and tear, moisture, and cleaning products. If the painting process isn't done correctly, the paint may chip, peel, or wear off over time, leading to a less durable finish.
Do you plan on selling in the near future (ie, five years or less)? Consider painting them. Painted cabinets are almost ALWAYS more appealing to buyers -- especially in the younger demographic. (The exception would be if you have exposed hinges; that's always a tough call unless you paint your cabinets darker.)
Won't Work on All Cabinets
The decision to paint or replace your cabinets depends on the current shape that they are in, so painting isn't a wise choice for all cabinets. If your cabinets are warped, chipped, or have other damages then painting them won't solve your problem.
Done right, painted cabinets can be timeless, but there's also plenty of room for creativity and even the ability to play with of-the-moment color trends.
Why is it so expensive to repaint kitchen cabinets? Homeowners want a high-quality finish on their cabinets. Achieving a cabinet-level finish requires high-end materials and a lot of time consuming work. As a rough rule of thumb, cabinet painters usually charge about $90 per hour of work for labor.
Below, we discuss the best cabinet color options for a kitchen remodeling project for a beautiful aesthetic that's always on point. Arguably, the most timeless kitchen cabinet color is white. Bright white cabinets suit a variety of beautiful kitchens, including modern, contemporary, and farmhouse styles.
What Are the Worst Colors for Resale? The most off-putting color for buyers is red, according to the 2024 “Paint and Color Trends Report” from Fixr. For its report, the home remodeling site polled 71 interior designers and home stagers, and 59 percent agreed that red turns away buyers.
Size and space: Consider the size and space of your kitchen. In smaller kitchens, lighter cabinets and walls can create the illusion of space and make it feel larger and more airy. On the other hand, in larger kitchens, darker cabinets can anchor the space and prevent it from feeling too expansive.
Cost Effective – Painting is generally much more affordable than purchasing new cabinets. You save money by keeping the existing cabinetry framework and simply refreshing the finish. Quick Turn Around – Repainting cabinets is usually a faster process than replacing them entirely.
Kitchen cabinets have been painted for over 100 years. What could possibly put you in the “fad” category would be painting your cabinets a “fad” color. White kitchens are timeless. Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist offers her opinion on Why White Kitchen Cabinets are the right choice.
How Long Will Painted Cabinets Last? With proper care of professionally painted kitchen cabinets, you can expect your newly painted cabinets to last 8-10 years! While new cabinets will last you much longer, they will also cost thousands more, which can be an unnecessary expense in some cases.
Cabinets made of stainless steel, vinyl, and laminate aren't easy to paint over. Paints are known not to bond with these particular surfaces, which may result in the paint chipping or peeling easily.
Many design experts believe the current trend of natural wood is here to stay. Homeowners are looking for warmth and comfort from their kitchens. Oak, wood, and stone delivers that in spades.
Painting cabinets and updating hardware can boost your home's value by an average $2,000. Kitchen cabinets immediately grab potential buyers' attention when the cabinets are freshly painted in neutral tones that enhance the kitchen's style.
For high-traffic areas like the kitchen or bathroom, a satin finish may be a better choice as it's more durable and easy to clean. However, in areas like bedrooms or living rooms, a gloss finish may be a better choice as it can add a touch of elegance to the room.
In addition to classic neutral kitchen cabinets, other popular timeless hues include light grays, soft greens and wood tones. For darker timeless paint colors, navy blue gives rich, nautical vibes while a dark black paint color brings a dose of drama to any kitchen.
HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams Infinity
Price-wise, this Infinity latex paint falls squarely in the middle while delivering exceptional results. Its semi-gloss formula is particularly well suited to kitchen cabinets thanks to its cleanability and superb stain resistance.
Roll, Then Brush
Roll on the paint, then drag your paintbrush bristles lightly over the surface to even out the coat and eliminate roller marks. This is one of my favorite time savers when using a brush to paint cabinets. Work in small sections that you can roll and brush before the paint begins to dry.