Paint the cabinets or replace them

If the boxes are square, the doors close, and you’re tired of oak or honey maple, paint is a real option. If doors are delaminating or the layout is wrong, paint just dresses a kitchen you still hate.

Paint when

Doors are solid wood or a sound veneer. You like the layout. You want a color change, not a new floor plan.

Plan on degrease, sand, a bonding primer, and two enamel coats. Soft-close hardware can wait until after paint. Rushing this is how you get a sticky door in July.

Replace when

Particle board is swollen. Boxes are out of square. You need a different sink run or a pantry where a broom closet is.

Paint will not fix a broken kitchen. It will make a sound kitchen look current for a fraction of a remodel.