Cabinet Painting
Why Paint Cabinets
If you love your kitchen but feel like it’s stuck in another decade, painting your cabinets might be just the refresh it needs.
Transform Without The Hassle
Painting cabinets delivers a dramatic update without tearing your kitchen apart for weeks. No demolition, no endless decisions—just a fresh, modern look with minimal downtime.
Lower Cost
Replacing cabinets is pricey. Painting gives you the same upgraded look at a fraction of the cost—leaving you with room in the budget for other kitchen upgrades (or just more takeout while we work).
Faster Results
A full remodel can take months. Cabinet painting? More like days. It’s the perfect solution for busy households that want an update without the wait.
A wonderful job on my kitchen cabinets! They gave an accurate and fair estimate, worked full days and were extremely neat and courteous.
Types of Cabinets
Different cabinets serve different purposes, and each type requires a tailored approach when it comes to painting. Whether it's kitchen cabinets that face daily wear, bathroom vanities exposed to moisture, or rec room storage that sees occasional use, the right paint and preparation make all the difference.
Kitchen
Kitchen cabinets work hard—taking daily hits from swinging backpacks, spills, and the occasional cooking disaster. Over time, that wear shows. A fresh coat of paint restores their beauty and adds durability to handle everyday life.
Bath Vanities
Moisture, humidity, and a parade of personal care products—bathroom cabinets have a tough job. A quality paint job protects them from daily exposure while keeping your space looking crisp and clean.
Laundry and Rec Room Cabinets
Even if they don’t get the same daily traffic, cabinets in laundry rooms or rec spaces still benefit from a fresh, durable finish that resists wear and tear.
Can You Paint Cabinet Interiors?
It depends. If your interiors are wood or MDF (particle board), a protective coat of paint can help extend their life. But if they’re melamine (a smooth, plastic-like surface), painting them isn’t always necessary — unless the color is truly tragic.
Types of Cabinet Paint
Not all paints are created equal, especially when it comes to cabinets. Choosing the right one makes all the difference in durability and appearance.
Old Oil
Once the gold standard, oil-based paints have fallen out of favor. They yellow over time, chip more easily, and come with strong odors and long drying times.
OK Latex
Easy to clean, fast-drying, and low-odor, latex paints sound great — except most don’t hold up well on cabinets. Be sure to choose a high-quality, cabinet-grade formula.
Modern Urethane
The best of both worlds - durable, scratch-resistant, and low-odor. Urethane-based paints stand up to heavy use and provide a beautiful, long-lasting finish. Bonus: they clean up with water, so no smelly thinners required.
How Long Does Cabinet Paint Last?
A great paint job can last for years—but just how long depends on the use and abuse it sees.
A Long Time (infrequent use)
For kitchens that don’t see much action, cabinet paint can stay looking fresh for a decade or more with minimal upkeep.
We are very happy with the quality of the work. I would recommend them for painting cabinets to anyone.(see more reviews here)
A Short Time (six teenage cooks)
If your kitchen sees daily battles with sauce splatters and sticky fingers, expect more wear. Touch-ups or a refresh might be needed in a few years.
Cost of Kitchen Cabinet Painting
Pricing varies, but here’s what factors in:
Size Matters
More cabinets = more materials, more labor and, for sure, higher cost.
Condition Matters
- A cabinet in rough shape needs extra prep work to bring it back to life.
- Water damage, heavy dings, sagging hinges - at some point other options might be worth considering.
Details Matter
Intricate moldings, glass inserts, specialty hardware—all add complexity and time. On the other hand, flat-front cabinets are a much simpler (and cheaper) project.
Expectations Matter
A basic refresh costs less than a showroom-quality, factory-smooth finish. Premium prep, top-tier materials, and skilled application all impact price.
Bottom Line
Small bathroom vanities can start around $1,800, while large, high-end kitchens can run $15,000+. Having a clear discussion about expectations helps us guide you toward the right solution.
How to Paint Cabinets
From prep to final cleanup, this is the process we follow.
Clean
Every cabinet gets a thorough cleaning to remove grease, grime, and buildup — because paint only sticks as well as the surface underneath.
Protect: Keeping Your Space Clean & Safe
Painting cabinets isn’t just about a great finish—it’s about keeping your home protected throughout the process. Every project begins with careful masking and covering to ensure paint only goes where it’s supposed to.
- Floors, Countertops & Appliances – These surfaces are covered with drop cloths, plastic sheeting, or protective paper to prevent dust and paint from settling where it shouldn’t.
- Walls & Backsplashes – Nearby walls, tile, and backsplashes are masked off to keep edges crisp and clean.
- Cabinet Interiors – If only the exteriors are being painted, interiors are carefully shielded to prevent overspray.
- Temporary Dust Barriers – When needed, ZipWalls or plastic enclosures are set up to contain dust and minimize disruption to the rest of your home.
A clean workspace means a better final result. Careful protection reduces cleanup time, prevents accidental messes, and ensures your freshly painted cabinets are the only thing that stands out when the job is done.
I feel like our cabinets look brand new and we are very happy with their work. We have used Crestwood before and we would definitely use them again in the future!
Prep Work: The Foundation of a Fabulous Finish
A great paint job starts long before the first drop of paint. Careful prep work ensures a smooth, durable, and long-lasting finish—separating professional results from a weekend DIY project.
- Sanding – Every surface is thoroughly sanded to dull existing finishes and create the right surface for adhesion. No shortcuts—just careful preparation for the best results.
- Filling Dents & Repairs – Small dings, scratches, or surface irregularities are filled and smoothed, so the final coat lays down evenly.
- Priming – A crucial step. Cabinets get a specialized bonding primer designed for strong adhesion, preventing peeling, blocking stains, and ensuring the topcoat bonds properly.
Prep work isn’t flashy, but it’s essential for cabinets that look great and hold up over time. We take the time to do it right, so your cabinets stay looking fresh and smooth.
Topcoat
A fine finish starts with the right paint and the right application. We use a sprayer-only method to achieve a smooth, factory-like finish—no brush marks, no roller texture, just a flawless, even coat that looks and performs beautifully.
For durability and easy cleaning, semi-gloss is the typical sheen choice, offering just the right balance of shine without being too reflective. While the paint will be dry to the touch within hours, a full cure takes up to three weeks—so go easy on those newly painted doors at first!
Final Cleanup
Tape is removed, hardware is reattached, and everything is wiped down—so your cabinets look as fresh as your kitchen feels.
Dry vs Cured
Paint feels dry to the touch in a few hours, but it takes weeks to fully cure. That means gentle use at first—because fresh paint is soft until fully hardened.
Let's Get Started
A kitchen makeover without the demolition crew? Yes, please! Painting your cabinets is a smart, budget-friendly way to breathe new life into your space—without the dust, delays, or sticker shock of a full remodel.
At Crestwood Painting, we do the hard work so you don’t have to. Meticulous prep, expert painting, and a durable finish — all with zero drama.
Great cabinets. No chaos. Just a stunning new space.
