Painting vs Replacing Cabinets: A Clear Guide for Cost
Staring at worn kitchen cabinets can feel like looking at a bad haircut you can’t unsee. You know something has to change, but you don’t want to spend money twice. The real debate is painting vs replacing cabinets , and most homeowners are weighing four things: cost, time, mess, and how long the results will hold up. Some want a quick refresh before listing a home, others want a long-term fix that won’t chip the first time a kid swings a backpack. This guide (with help from Dr. Cabinet as a real-world point of reference) gives you a simple, step-by-step way to choose without regret, even if you’ve never tackled a remodel. Painting vs Replacing Cabinets, what changes, what stays, and what it costs in 2026 Cabinet painting means your existing cabinet boxes stay on the wall. Doors and drawer fronts get cleaned, prepped, primed, and painted, usually with a sprayed finish for a smoother look. If the boxes are solid, this can make an older kitchen look fresh without tearing the room apa...