Not sure what to do to upgrade your kitchen? Which finishing approach is right for you? This guide covers four different options — with a comparison table, before & after examples, a quick quiz, and answers to the questions we hear most.
Highlands Designs offers four finishing approaches. Each suits a different budget, lifestyle, and vision — here's the big picture on all four.
| Factor | Painted | Stained | Unfinished | Reface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relative Cost | Moderate–High | Moderate–High | Lowest | Low–Moderate |
| Durability | Good (touch-up needed over time) | Very Good | Depends on your finish | Good |
| Design Flexibility | Very High — any color | Moderate — tone range | Unlimited — you decide | Moderate — door style & finish |
| Shows Wood Grain | No | Yes | Yes | Depends on doors chosen |
| Best for Style | Contemporary, transitional, farmhouse | Traditional, rustic, craftsman | Any style — your choice | Any — mix & match possible |
| Maintenance | Wipe clean; may chip at edges | Wipe clean; resilient finish | Depends on how you finish | Low after completion |
| Resale Appeal | Very high (neutral colors) | High (timeless) | High if well done | Good — looks updated |
| DIY Finish Option | Yes | Yes | Yes — required | Partially |
| Project Disruption | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate + DIY time | Lowest |
| Ideal Candidate | Wants bold color or bright whites | Loves natural wood warmth | Skilled DIYer, tight budget | Cabinets structurally sound |
See how each finishing approach transforms dated or plain cabinets into something entirely new.
Above is an older kitchen with out-of-date granite countertops, tile backsplash, and yellowish cabinets. If you want to modernize the countertops and backsplash, you are in for a major renovation. In this case, you should also consider replacing the cabinets and maybe even reconfiguring the layout of the kitchen (see our kitchen layout guide). This may involve putting in different appliances, which may require more space or a new location. If you don't have a double wall oven, it would be a great time to get one. Maybe you want a cooktop on your island, or want to replace an old above-range microwave with a hood for better ventilation. If your cabinets are made of substandard materials, such as particleboard with veneers, older 1/2" drawer boxes with inexpensive metal roller slides, and old door hinges, take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade to a higher quality and choose different types of cabinets, such as multi-drawer cabinets instead of just doors.
If you don't want to replace the countertops, then you are limited to a few options for your cabinets. You can repaint them all yourself, buy new doors while only repainting the cabinet frames, or strip and re-stain both the doors and frames (which probably requires the most work). You could just replace the wall cabinets, but need to either match the base cabinets or go for a two-tone look, which usually isn't very appealing. You can replace appliances, but only using the same size and configuration. You can install new pull-out trays inside your standard cabinets.
Assuming you want to keep the same kitchen layout, you can just choose the same cabinet sizes, but with better quality materials. You can choose a new painted or stained finish or, if you want to save money, buy them unfinished and do the painting or staining yourself (see our guide to painting or staining cabinets and other finishing tips). Keep in mind that a smooth painted finish requires several steps, including priming and painting multiple coats, sanding in between to keep the finish smooth, and applying a protective coat of polyurethane. Spraying on the finish is best, but if you don't have a clean area where you can spray, you will have to brush on the paint and carefully sand it to a smooth finish. In contrast, a factory finish will use a conversion varnish process that delivers a smooth, hard finish that looks nearly perfect and is durable.
On a tight budget? You can even install new cabinets yourself, although you may need some help holding up the wall cabinets as you install on a nice horizontal line.
Above is a modernized kitchen updated with brightly painted Shaker doors with a great factory finish paint job and new quartz countertops.
Above is a modern alternative to painted cabinets. These are knotty Pine cabinets stained in a dark Walnut color, but paired with light quartz countertops to lighten up the room.
Above: If your cabinets are still in good shape, and you don't want to remove and replace your countertops, you can buy new doors with a factory finish paint color. In this case, the doors have been repainted Sage Green. If you choose to have the doors painted in a Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore color, you can buy the same paint color and repaint the existing cabinet faces and sides to match. Of course, it is best to sand down the old finish first and prime it to eliminate any remaining color and returning the cabinets to a nice, smooth finish. This is a good option if your doors are in bad shape, but the cabinets themselves can still be salvaged. You can even replace old drawers with newer, thicker, more sturdy drawers with better soft-close glides.
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll recommend the best finishing approach for your kitchen and lifestyle.
6 questions · Takes about 2 minutes
Answers to the questions we hear most often about cabinet finishes, maintenance, and making the right choice for your kitchen.
