Should I Paint or Reface My Kitchen Cabinets?

You can reface kitchen cabinets or paint them.

Painting Cabinets

You should paint your kitchen cabinets instead of refacing them if you are on a budget. Painting the cabinets is a much less expensive process than refacing them, especially if you are doing the project yourself. Painting also gives you more color options than refacing.

Refacing for Wood Looks

You should reface your kitchen cabinets if you are looking for a wood-grain look. Refacing cabinets involve replacing your drawers and cabinet doors and attaching a wood laminate to the frames. You cannot get a wood grain look with painting.

Bottom Line

You should paint your kitchen cabinets unless you want the look of wood grain. Refacing cabinets is more expensive than painting, but you can't achieve the look of wood without refacing.

References

• This Old House: Reface or Replace Cabinets?