How Much You Should Expect To Spend To Refinish Cabinets (& Is It Worth The Splurge?)

Have you ever walked into your kitchen and thought, "Wow, these cabinets are really bringing the room down"? Whether they're faded, missing handles, or hanging off their hinges, choosing to fix them up and refinish cabinets on a budget could be the perfect solution if you want to spend your money on other areas of the kitchen. 

So, let's talk numbers. On average, refinishing cabinets costs around $3,000. Of course, this figure can range anywhere from $700 to $7,000, depending on various factors like the size of your kitchen, the quality of your current cabinets, and the type of finish you choose. On the other hand, replacing your cabinets entirely can cost anywhere from around $3,000 for basic cabinets all the way up to $18,000 or more for high-end, custom cabinetry. So if you're looking to save yourself a nice chunk of change, this could be the area to do it. 

But the question remains, is it worth it to refinish your cabinets in the long run? Well, that answer really depends on a few factors, such as the current quality of your cabinets, what look you are trying to achieve, and even what your cabinets are made of.

Let's be clear — if you're looking to make the most out of a small budget, refinishing cabinets is probably the way to go. It offers an affordable way to give your cabinets a refreshed look without the need to purchase new ones. You can achieve a custom look by selecting your perfect shade of paint or stain color, which means you can more easily match your "new" cabinets to a new decor style. Plus, refinishing can be a much quicker process compared to having to uninstall and reinstall new cabinets.

But hold your horses — there are also some disadvantages to consider. Refinishing may not be possible with certain types of cabinets, and damage to them might make refinishing a less viable option. If your cabinets are made of a low-quality material, such as fiberboard or non-wood particle board, or are old and have significant wear and tear, then refinishing might not yield the best results. In such cases, replacing your cabinets could be a better long-term investment.

In the end, refinishing your cabinets can be a cost-effective and efficient way to breathe new life into your space compared to a full cabinet replacement. However, the decision to refinish or replace ultimately depends on the quality and condition of your current cabinets, as well as your long-term plans for your home.