Kitchen cabinet refinishing
Kitchen cabinet refinishing in Chicago
Love the shape of your cabinets but not the color? Refinishing your kitchen cabinets gives the doors you already have a fresh coat of paint or stain.
The basics
What cabinet refinishing means
Refinishing changes the color of your cabinets while it keeps the same doors, the same shape, and the same layout.
With cabinet refinishing we clean every door and frame, sand the old surface so new color can grip, fix small dents, and then apply fresh paint or stain. When the coats dry, the kitchen feels new even though the doors are the ones you have always had.
This is a good path when your doors are solid wood and the style still suits you. A dark, dated kitchen can turn bright and modern with the right color. Refinishing your kitchen cabinets is one of the lowest cost ways to change how the room feels.
Right fit
When refinishing is the right choice
Refinishing shines in the right kitchen. Here is when it tends to be the smart move.
Solid wood doors
Your doors are real wood and still strong. Wood takes paint and stain well and lasts.
The style still works
You like the door shape and the layout. You only want to change the color.
A tight budget
You want a fresh look for the lowest cost, and you can keep the doors you have.
Know the difference
Refinishing or refacing
These two services sound alike but they are not the same. Refinishing recolors the doors you own. Kitchen cabinet door refinishing cannot change the door style or the material, only the finish.
Refacing replaces the doors and drawer fronts with new ones and skins the cabinet frames to match. That lets you change the style, the material, and the color all at once. If your doors are worn out, made of laminate, or you want a whole new style, refacing is the better fit.
Not sure which way to go? Read our plain comparison of refacing versus painting cabinets, or learn more about full cabinet refacing.
How it goes
The cabinet refinishing process
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1
Free visit
We check the doors to be sure they are solid wood and a good fit for refinishing.
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2
Prep and repair
We clean, sand, and fill small dents so the new color goes on smooth and even.
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3
Paint or stain
We apply your chosen color in careful coats and let each one dry fully.
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4
Reassemble
We rehang the doors, adjust the hinges, and clean the kitchen before we leave.
Pick a color
Fresh colors for refinished cabinets
The color you choose changes the whole mood of the kitchen. Soft white and warm cream make a small kitchen feel larger and brighter. Greige and gray bring a calm, modern feel. Deep green and navy add a rich, bold look that pairs well with brass or black handles.
Stain is the choice when you want to keep the natural wood grain on view. We can take a worn finish and bring back a warm, even tone. New handles are a small add on that finishes the fresh look, and we are happy to swap them while we work.
Keep reading
Guides on color and finish
Refacing vs Painting Cabinets
The strengths and limits of each path, in plain words.
Read guide IdeasHow to Update Old Kitchen Cabinets
Simple ways to bring a dated kitchen back to life.
Read guide ValueAre Refaced Cabinets Worth It
How refinishing and refacing each add value to a home.
Read guideWant to know what each path costs? See our cabinet refacing cost page.
Questions and answers
Cabinet refinishing questions
What is kitchen cabinet refinishing?
Cabinet refinishing means we clean, sand, and recoat your current cabinet doors and frames with new paint or stain. The doors stay in place and the color changes.
Is refinishing the same as refacing?
No. Refinishing recolors the doors you already have. Refacing gives you brand new doors and drawer fronts plus a new skin over the cabinet frames.
Can any kitchen cabinets be refinished?
Refinishing works best on solid wood doors that are still in good shape. Doors made of laminate or thermofoil do not hold paint or stain well, so refacing is the better path for those.
Will refinishing hide chips and damage?
We fill small dents and smooth rough spots before we coat the doors. Deep damage, swelling, or heavy peeling usually means new doors are the smarter choice.
How long does cabinet refinishing take?
Most kitchens take a few days. Each coat of paint or stain needs time to dry fully, so we plan a clear schedule with you before the work begins.
Start here
Get a fresh color for your kitchen
Tell us about your cabinets and we will set up a free in-home visit with a clear written price.