Kitchen Respray vs. New Doors: Which Saves More Money (and Time)?

Kitchens are the heart of British homes, but they're also one of the most expensive rooms to renovate. When your kitchen cabinets start looking tired, dated or just plain ugly, you're faced with a crucial decision: should you respray your existing cabinets or replace the doors entirely? It's a question that impacts both your wallet & your schedule.

I've been through this dilemma myself. Last year, my 90s oak kitchen was driving me mad with its orangey glow. After researching for weeks, getting quotes and talking to neighbours who'd done similar projects, I learned there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Your circumstances matter HUGELY.

This article breaks down the real costs (financial and temporal) of both options. No marketing fluff—just straight talk about what each approach actually involves.

Understanding Kitchen Respray

Kitchen respraying involves professionally painting your existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts without replacing them. A skilled technician sands down the surfaces, applies specialist primers, and finishes with durable paint designed specifically for kitchens.

The process typically takes 3-5 days depending on kitchen size. Most companies will remove all doors and drawer fronts, spray them in a controlled environment, then reinstall everything. The cabinet frames (the bits attached to the wall) get sprayed in place with careful masking of surrounding areas.

What surprised me during my research was the variety of finishes available. You're not limited to plain colours—some specialists offer metallic finishes, subtle textures, and even wood-grain effects. Quite impressive, actually!

The Cost of Kitchen Respraying

For an average UK kitchen (roughly 10 units), expect to pay between £1,200-£2,500 for a professional respray. This price typically includes all labour, materials, and VAT. The specific cost depends on your kitchen size, the condition of your existing cabinets, and your location (London prices are predictably higher).

The biggest factor affecting price? The number of doors, drawers & visible end panels. Some companies charge per item, while others price by kitchen size. My neighbour Sarah paid £1,800 for her medium-sized kitchen respray in Manchester last summer.

Worth noting: if your cabinets are damaged or the material isn't suitable for spraying (some very cheap MDF or laminate cabinets don't take paint well), you might face additional charges or be told respraying isn't viable. Get an in-person assessment before committing!

The New Doors Option Explained

Replacing just your cabinet doors keeps your existing cabinet boxes (the structural parts) while giving you brand new fronts. It's sort of like keeping the engine of a car but replacing the bodywork. This approach is sometimes called a "kitchen facelift" or "kitchen refacing."

The process involves measuring your existing cabinet apertures, ordering doors cut to size, removing old doors & hinges, and installing the new ones. Some companies offer installation services, while others sell doors for DIY fitting.

New doors come in countless styles, materials and finishes. From high-gloss acrylics to solid wood, the choices are vast. You can even mix materials—maybe glass-fronted units for display cabinets alongside solid doors elsewhere.

Materials Matter

The door material significantly impacts cost & longevity. Here's a quick breakdown:

Vinyl/foil-wrapped MDF: The budget option (£40-100 per door). Looks good initially but can peel at edges over time. My sister chose these for her rental property—practical but not premium.

Painted MDF: Mid-range option (£80-200 per door). Factory-painted finish is more uniform than hand-painting. Good durability if well made.

Solid wood: Premium option (£100-300+ per door). Beautiful, classic and can be refinished multiple times over decades. Heaviest option though, so check your cabinet boxes can handle the weight!

Cost Comparison: Hard Numbers

For a direct comparison on a typical 10-unit kitchen:

Respray: £1,200-£2,500 all-in

New doors: £1,500-£4,000+ (including handles & hinges but possibly excluding installation)

At first glance, respraying often wins on pure cost. However, if your existing doors are damaged, poor quality, or you want a completely different style (not just a different colour), new doors might be worth the extra investment.

When I got quotes for my kitchen, respraying came in at £1,600 while mid-range replacement doors were £2,800 including fitting. I ultimately chose respraying because my cabinet doors were good quality wood—just an unfashionable colour.

Time Considerations: Which is Quicker?

Kitchens are essential spaces—having yours out of commission for weeks isn't practical for most families. Here's the typical timeline for each option:

Respray timeline:

- Initial consultation & quote: 1 day

- Booking slot: 2-4 weeks waiting period (good companies are busy!)

- Actual work: 3-5 days

- Total from decision to completion: Approximately 3-5 weeks

New doors timeline:

- Measuring & consultation: 1 day

- Door manufacturing: 3-8 weeks (custom sizes take longer)

- Installation: 1-2 days (or longer for DIY)

- Total from decision to completion: Approximately 4-10 weeks

In my experience, respraying is typically faster from start to finish. Most kitchens can remain partially functional during the process too—you'll have limited access, but it's not a complete shutdown like some renovations.

Durability & Longevity: The Long Game

Cost isn't just about the initial outlay—it's about how long the solution lasts. What's the point of saving £500 now if you'll need to redo everything in 3 years?

A professional respray, when done correctly, should last 5-10 years before showing significant wear. The most vulnerable areas are around handles and frequently used drawers, where the paint may eventually chip with heavy use.

New doors typically last 10-15 years or more, depending on material quality and usage. Higher-end doors can potentially outlast the cabinets they're attached to!

I will say this though - my friend got a budget respray that started showing issues within 18 months. The company hadn't prepped properly & used inferior paint. So if you go the respray route, don't just choose the cheapest quote!

Environmental Considerations

There's also the eco question to consider. Respraying generally creates less waste as you're keeping all existing materials. New doors mean your old doors go to landfill (unless you find a way to repurpose or recycle them).

That said, some spray paints contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which aren't fantastic for the envirnment. Ask your respray company about the paints they use—many now offer low-VOC or water-based options.

In comparison, new door manufacturing does use resources, but many companies now offer doors made from sustainable materials or with eco-friendly manufacturing processes. It's worth asking about their environmental policies when getting quotes.

The Bottom Line

If you're purely concerned with saving money & your existing doors are in decent structural condition, respraying typically wins. It's usually 20-40% cheaper than new doors and can be completed more quickly.

However, new doors win on customisation options, potential longevity, and the ability to completely change your kitchen's style beyond just colour. They're also sometimes the only viable option if your current doors are damaged or of poor quality.

What did I choose? Respraying worked brilliantly for my solid wood kitchen—five years on and it still looks fresh. But for my mum's 1980s kitchen with peeling laminate doors? New doors were the only sensible option. Each kitchen tells its own story & needs its own solution.