Before You Paint Those Cabinets, Read This
The Moment for Modification
If your cabinets have good bones, painting them out is one of the smartest investments you can make in a kitchen renovation. But before you call the painter, there’s a conversation worth having first.
Because once the primer goes on, the window closes.
“Before you invest whether with your own labor or a professional to properly prep, prime and paint your cabinets for a lasting, hard-wearing finish — consider the modifications you could make to improve the functionality or aesthetics of your kitchen. After the fact is too late.”
What modifications actually look like
On this project, the perimeter cabinetry was beautiful inset construction — quality worth preserving. But it had some quirks. An open wine rack, a built-in organizer both interrupted the flow of the space.
We closed them off and swapped the glass uppers for solid fronts at our client’s request. (You know if you’re an open-shelf-or-glass-cabinet person!)
The result? Clean, cohesive uppers and a calmer overall look. Such a simple modification, but one with a surprisingly significant visual impact.
The island was a different story…the shape wasn’t working, so we had it remade entirely. A custom hood fan went in. And then there was the fridge.
What not to do
This is where a lot of people make a costly mistake — they size the fridge to the existing opening without questioning whether that opening is actually right.
In this case, the original cabinet framing around the fridge was built for a size that manufacturers have largely stopped making. The only fridge that would fit left a gap of several inches on either side — which is exactly as awkward as it sounds. Aesthetically off. Functionally limiting. Not the outcome anyone was hoping for.
The fix was straightforward once we reframed the problem: since the cabinet maker was already on site making modifications elsewhere, we had them clip the bottom frame of the cabinet above the fridge. A small change that allowed a properly sized fridge to slide in, fit the full width, and look like it was always built that way.
Nobody will know. Don’t tell anyone.
The bigger lesson
Sometimes in renovations you’re choosing between two less-than-ideal options. That’s real, and it’s okay. What matters is that you’re making those decisions with intention, and ideally, before the paint goes on, not after!
If you’re considering painting out your cabinetry, take one pass through the kitchen first and ask: what would I change if I could? Chances are, you still can.
Follow the Build
We’re sharing the process, the missteps, and the decisions behind every detail at Vinecrest. More stories coming soon.
Want to read more about this project (and see all the incredible before and afters?)Â Click here.
More questions? Head to our FAQ page linked here.
Want more like this post? Click on one of the posts below:
→ The Right White Doesn’t Look White at All
→ Tips for Making Long Lasting Decisions in your Renovation
→ When Good Bones Meet a Bad Island: The Vinecrest Kitchen Transformation
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