Paint or replace your kitchen cabinets?

Dated cabinets can make a whole kitchen feel old. The good news is that you often don't need new ones. Painting can give you a fresh, modern look for a fraction of the cost of replacing them, with much less mess and downtime.

Painting is a great choice when…

• The cabinet boxes and doors are solid and in good shape (no swelling, rot or broken frames).
• You're happy with the layout and just don't like the color or the old wood tone.
• You want a big change without weeks of construction.

Replacing makes more sense when…

• There's water damage, especially under the sink, or the material is swollen or peeling.
• You want to change the kitchen layout or add more storage.
• Doors are warped or the boxes are falling apart.

If the bones are good, paint is usually the smarter investment.

How a lasting cabinet paint job is done

Cabinets get opened, closed and wiped every day, so the prep is what makes the paint last:

1. Remove doors, drawers and hardware, and label everything.
2. Degrease, because kitchen grease keeps paint from sticking.
3. Sand to give the surface "tooth" for the primer to grip.
4. Prime with a bonding primer made for cabinets.
5. Paint in thin, smooth coats with a hard-wearing cabinet enamel.
6. Let it cure before reinstalling and putting the hardware back.

Popular cabinet colors

• Warm white: bright, clean and timeless
• Greige: soft and modern, hides everyday marks
• Navy or deep green: bold and classy, great on islands
• Two-tone: light uppers with darker lowers or island

Want even more change? New handles and knobs make a big difference for very little cost.