Aethos advice
A new finish, not a new kitchen?
Repainting can change the character of a kitchen you already enjoy using. First establish whether its construction, condition and layout justify keeping it.
By Aethos Studio · Published
Decide what needs to change
Separate dissatisfaction with colour from problems with the kitchen itself. If the layout works, cabinets remain sound and the storage suits daily life, refinishing may be worth considering. Swollen panels, damaged carcasses or a layout you dislike will not be repaired by paint. List any joinery, hinges or handles needing attention alongside the decorative work.
Our kitchen repainting serviceIdentify the door material
Solid timber, veneered panels, MDF, laminate and wrapped doors need different assessment. Peeling vinyl or foil is a warning sign: coating it does not stabilise a failing layer. Exposed MDF edges and areas damaged by water also need special attention. Ask for a surface inspection and appropriate adhesion testing before a full specification is agreed, rather than assuming a universal primer solves every substrate.
Agree exactly what will be painted
Doors and drawer fronts are only part of the visible kitchen. Check end panels, plinths, cornices, frames and the backs of doors. Decide whether cabinet interiors are excluded. Confirm whether doors will be removed, where preparation happens, and which parts of the kitchen remain accessible. Changes to hardware should be planned before filling and finishing, not afterwards.
Preparation carries the result
Grease, residue from cleaning products and silicone contamination can undermine adhesion. The preparation system must address them before suitable abrasion, repairs and priming. Existing sound coatings may remain if compatible; unstable layers cannot simply be covered. Ask how a test area will be evaluated and how difficult edges or mouldings will be treated.
The Aethos processChoose durability and colour together
A cabinet coating must suit handling, regular cleaning and the conditions around sinks and cooking areas. Sheen changes both appearance and the visibility of marks. Review a physical sample against worktops, flooring and light at different times of day. Any finish can scratch, and the right choice includes realistic care expectations as well as the colour you want.
Explore finishesPlan for the period after painting
Coatings continue to cure after they feel dry. Follow the specific product guidance before heavy handling, cleaning or replacing accessories. Arrange meals and storage around the agreed work sequence and keep children and pets away from the work area. The programme depends on the number of components, repairs, coating system and curing conditions; ask for a programme based on your kitchen rather than a standard turnaround promise.
Compare what each quotation includes
Ask each quotation to identify the surfaces, preparation, repair assumptions, coating system, hardware work and exclusions. Compare those details with replacing doors or a full replacement if the existing kitchen has structural or layout problems. Send photographs of the full kitchen and detailed photographs of edges and damage when enquiring. We assess kitchen repainting projects across St Andrews, East Neuk, Fife, Dundee and Angus.
Discuss your kitchen with Aethos