Is it advisable to DIY paint kitchen cabinets, or does the prospect hold potential for a future mishap? Assist us in resolving the ongoing argument
Rebecca Knight, an interiors journalist with 7 years of experience and a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London, recently bought a flat and is looking to update its kitchen. Specifically, she's considering repainting the grey kitchen cabinets, which have a light blue-tinged grey finish with a wood grain effect.
However, Knight is unsure if painting the cabinets herself is a good idea, or if she should leave them as they are. She's concerned about the durability of the paint, visibility of brushstrokes, and potential chipping around door edges.
Painting kitchen cabinets can be a cost-effective alternative to buying new ones, offering a fresh look at a lower cost. If done correctly, DIY painted cabinets can be very durable and save money. However, the job is time-consuming and requires careful preparation and execution to avoid visible flaws.
Jenny McFarlane, Senior Digital Editor at a certain platform, had her kitchen cabinets repainted recently and was impressed by the result. Her experience suggests that hiring a professional may be preferable if one wants guaranteed precision, consistent results, or is short on time or painting experience.
The cost of getting kitchen cabinets repainted by a professional is around £600 or more. By painting the kitchen cabinets herself, Knight can achieve her dream kitchen for a lower cost, using only a tin of paint and some paint brushes.
However, painting kitchen cabinets yourself demands precision and patience to avoid visible flaws like gaps, wrinkles, or uneven surfaces. It requires removing doors and drawers, cleaning, applying multiple coats of paint and topcoat, and may take several days.
If Knight is confident in her DIY skills, willing to invest time, and prepared to follow good techniques, painting cabinets herself can be rewarding and economical. On the other hand, hiring a professional ensures a smoother, potentially higher-quality finish and reduces the risk of costly mistakes.
Knight has previously attempted easy DIY projects, including wrapping kitchen doors with vinyl. She is now weighing the pros and cons of both options, hoping to make an informed decision that will transform her kitchen into a space she loves.
[1] Source: DIY Network [2] Source: This Old House [3] Source: HomeAdvisor [4] Source: Real Simple
- Rebecca Knight, considering the challenges associated with painting kitchen cabinets herself, such as durability, visibility of brushstrokes, and potential chipping, ponders whether hiring a professional interior designer would yield a smoother, potentially higher-quality finish, especially since she's seeking a transformation for her kitchen's lifestyle and home-and-garden appeal.
- In her quest to make an informed decision that combines stylish interior-design and suitable lifestyle choices for her new flat, Rebecca Knight keeps evaluating the benefits of DIY cabinet painting, like cost-effectiveness, versus the expertise and guaranteed precision a professional interior designer could offer, as demonstrated by Jenny McFarlane's positive experience.
