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Cabinet Painting & Staining

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Refresh Your Cabinets with 
Professional Painting & Staining

We specialize in high-quality cabinet refinishing for kitchens, bathrooms, and beyond. Whether you prefer a sleek painted look or a rich stained finish, we’ll create a custom result that fits your style perfectly. Every project is handled with care and precision, leaving you with smooth, durable surfaces that make your space feel brand new. Scroll down to see our craftsmanship — or request your free quote today.

Our Work

Our Cabinet Refinishing Process

Cabinet refinishing is more complex than wall painting. Here’s our detailed process:

  1. Initial Assessment & Planning (Day 1) – We number and photograph every door and drawer to ensure correct reinstallation. We assess hardware condition and discuss replacement options. We protect countertops, appliances, and floors with heavy-duty coverings.
  1. Removal & Labeling – All doors, drawers, and hardware get removed and labeled with a numbering system. We transport doors to our shop or set up a workspace in your garage for proper spraying conditions.
  1. Deep Cleaning & Degreasing – Kitchens accumulate grease, cooking oils, and grime. We use industrial degreasers to strip every surface clean. Paint and stain won’t adhere properly to greasy surfaces.
  1. Sanding & Surface Prep :
    • For Painting: We sand the existing finish, create a smooth surface, and give the primer something to grip. We fill imperfections and repair damage.
    • For Staining: We strip the old finish completely, sand to bare wood following grain direction, and ensure even absorption. Stain shows every flaw, so prep must be perfect.
  1. Priming (Paint Only) – We apply high-quality primer designed for cabinets. This seals the wood, blocks stains, and provides a uniform base for paint. We sand between coats for smoothness.
  2. Application:
    • Painting: We spray or brush 2-3 coats of professional cabinet paint, sanding lightly between coats. Spraying provides the smoothest finish. We paint cabinet boxes in place with careful masking.
    • Staining: We apply stain evenly, following wood grain. We wipe excess and let it penetrate. Multiple coats achieve darker tones. We seal with polyurethane or conversion varnish for protection.
  1. Drying & Curing – This is critical. We allow proper drying time between coats (4-24 hours depending on product). Full cure takes 2-4 weeks for paint, 1 week for stain.
  1. Quality Control & Reinstallation – We inspect every surface, touch up any imperfections, and carefully reinstall doors and drawers. We adjust hinges for proper alignment and ensure smooth operation. We install new hardware if you’ve upgraded.
  1. Final Walkthrough – We review the completed project with you and provide care instructions. We leave you with touch-up supplies and color information.

 

Cabinet Products & Finishes We Use

Regular wall paint won’t survive on cabinets. We use products designed for high-touch, high-use surfaces.

Paint Finish Options

  • Satin: Slight sheen, easy to clean, hides minor imperfections. Most popular choice for painted cabinets.
  • Semi-Gloss: More durable and washable. Highlights any surface flaws. Modern, crisp look.

 

Stain & Topcoat Products

Stain Options:

  • General Finishes (water-based, easy application)
  • Minwax (oil-based, rich color)
  • Custom color matching available

Topcoat Protection:

  • Polyurethane (oil or water-based)
  • Conversion varnish (most durable, professional-only)
  • Pre-catalyzed lacquer (very durable, faster dry time)

 

Color Durability

Darker colors show wear more than lighter colors. White and off-white cabinets are most forgiving. Navy, black, and dark gray need more careful maintenance.

 

What Cabinets Can We Refinish?

Excellent Candidates

  • Solid Wood Cabinets – Oak, maple, cherry, birch – all refinish beautifully. These are worth the investment in refinishing.
  • Wood Veneer Over Plywood – Quality cabinets with real wood veneer can be painted or stained (if staining, veneer must be thick enough to sand).
  • MDF Cabinets – Medium-density fiberboard cabinets paint well. Cannot be stained. Must be in good condition (not water-damaged).

 

Problem Candidates

  • Thermofoil (Vinyl-Wrapped) – The plastic coating often peels. We can paint them if coating is firmly attached, but results may not last as long. Replacement may be a better long-term option.
  • Laminate/Melamine – Can be painted with proper bonding primer, but it’s a compromise. Durability isn’t as good as wood. Consider if budget is tight.
  • Particle Board – Low-quality material that doesn’t hold up well. If damaged or water-swollen, painting won’t help. Better to replace.

 

Cabinets We Can’t Refinish

  • Severely water-damaged cabinets (swollen, delaminated)
  • Broken or structurally unsound cabinets
  • Thermofoil with extensive peeling (too much surface prep required)
  • Custom finishes we can’t replicate (glazing, distressing requires specialty skills)

 

Our Assessment

During your estimate, we’ll honestly tell you if your cabinets are good refinishing candidates or if replacement makes more sense.

 

Project Timeline & Living Without Your Kitchen

Cabinet refinishing takes longer than you might expect. Here’s the realistic timeline:

Typical Project Duration: 3-10 Days

  • Day 1: Assessment, removal, initial prep (2-4 hours)
  • Days 2-3: Cleaning, sanding, repairs, priming
  • Days 4-6: Painting/staining, drying between coats
  • Days 7-8: Topcoat application, final drying
  • Day 9-10: Reinstallation, hardware, final adjustments

 

Living Without a Kitchen

What You Can Still Use:

  • Your sink (we work around it)
  • Refrigerator (covered but accessible)
  • Microwave (if not built-in)

 

What’s Temporarily Unavailable:

  • Cabinet storage (everything must come out)
  • Drawers (removed during process)
  • Full cooking capability (depending on project scope)

 

Our Recommendations:

  • Set up a temporary kitchen area in dining room or basement
  • Use paper plates and disposable utensils
  • Plan simple meals or eat out more during the project
  • Store cabinet contents in a spare room or garage
  • Consider it a good excuse for a kitchen cleanout

 

We Work Efficiently

We understand this is disruptive. We work as quickly as possible while maintaining quality. Some homeowners take a short vacation during the project.

Odor Considerations

Modern cabinet paints have low VOC and minimal odor. You can typically sleep in your home during the project. Staining and oil-based products have stronger odors that dissipate within 24-48 hours.

 

Choosing Cabinet Colors & Finishes

Most Popular Cabinet Paint Colors

White & Off-White (60% of projects)

  • Pure White: Clean, modern, brightens kitchens
  • Alabaster/Swiss Coffee: Warm white, less stark
  • Cloud White: Soft, versatile, works with most countertops

 

Gray Tones (25% of projects)

  • Light Gray: Modern, neutral, sophisticated
  • Greige: Gray + beige, warm and trendy
  • Charcoal: Dramatic, shows wear more easily

 

Bold Colors (10% of projects)

  • Navy Blue: Classic, rich, pairs well with brass
  • Forest Green: Trending, sophisticated
  • Black: Dramatic, modern, high maintenance

 

Natural Stain Tones (5% of projects)

  • Medium Walnut: Rich, traditional
  • Espresso: Dark, contemporary
  • Natural/Honey: Light, shows wood grain

 

Two-Tone Kitchens

Popular trend: different colors for upper and lower cabinets, or an island in contrasting color. We can help you plan color combinations that work.

Color + Countertop Considerations

  • White Cabinets: Work with everything
  • Gray Cabinets: Best with white/light countertops
  • Dark Cabinets: Need light countertops for contrast
  • Wood Tones: Avoid competing wood tones in flooring

 

Testing Colors

We can paint sample doors to see how the color looks in your actual lighting before committing to the whole kitchen.

Style Match

  • Modern: Flat-panel doors, bold or white, minimal hardware
  • Traditional: Raised-panel doors, wood stains or white, decorative hardware
  • Farmhouse: White or soft colors, simple hardware
  • Contemporary: Gray or two-tone, sleek hardware

 

Cabinet Refinishing vs. Replacement: The Math

Typical Refinishing Costs (varies by project):

  • Small Kitchen (10-15 cabinets): $1,500-$3,000
  • Average Kitchen (15-20 cabinets): $3,000-$4,500
  • Large Kitchen (20-25 cabinets): $4,500-$6,500
  • Bathroom Vanity: $600-$1,200

 

Cost Variables:

  • Number of doors and drawers
  • Paint vs. stain (staining is more labor-intensive)
  • Current cabinet condition (more prep = higher cost)
  • Hardware replacement
  • Specialty finishes or two-tone designs

 

Cabinet Replacement Costs

  • Stock Cabinets: $4,000-$10,000
  • Semi-Custom Cabinets: $10,000-$25,000
  • Custom Cabinets: $25,000-$50,000+

Plus installation, countertop replacement, plumbing adjustments, electrical work, backsplash…

The ROI

Cabinet refinishing costs 30-45% of stock cabinet replacement, 15-30% of semi-custom cabinets, or as little as 10% of custom cabinets—while delivering 80-100% of the visual impact. The more expensive the replacement option, the more you save by refinishing. It’s one of the highest ROI home improvements you can make.

When Replacement Makes More Sense

  • Cabinets are structurally unsound or damaged
  • Layout doesn’t work for your needs
  • You want different door styles (flat vs. raised panel)
  • Storage configuration is wrong
  • Cabinet boxes are cheap particle board
  • You’re doing a full kitchen renovation anyway

 

Our Honest Assessment

We’ll tell you if your cabinets aren’t worth refinishing. Sometimes replacement is the better investment, and we’re not afraid to say so.