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Licensed, bonded & insured | WA contractor license #NEXTSSP812L1
Cabinet Painting in Bellingham, WA
Kitchen cabinets, vanities and built-ins refinished with a smooth, durable finish.
Next Step Painting paints kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and built-ins in Bellingham, WA and across Whatcom County. We remove and label doors and hardware, degrease, sand and prime every surface, then apply a durable cabinet finish, so you get a new kitchen look without replacing the cabinets. Every project starts with a free walkthrough and a written estimate.
- Kitchens and bathsCabinets, vanities, built-ins
- Prep firstDegreased, sanded, primed
- Free written estimatesDoors, drawers and coats listed
- WA license#NEXTSSP812L1
Cabinet painting contractor
Reliable Cabinet Painting Contractor in Bellingham, WA
Cabinets set the look of a kitchen more than anything else in the room. When they are dated, worn or simply the wrong color, the whole space feels old, even if the cabinet boxes are perfectly sound. Painting them is one of the most effective ways to update a kitchen or bathroom.
Cabinet painting is detailed work. Doors and drawers are handled one by one, every surface is cleaned of cooking grease, and the finish has to stand up to daily hands, splashes and slamming doors. Drag the slider to see a real kitchen we painted, from bright blue cabinets to a clean, light finish.
What we paint
What Our Cabinet Painting Service Includes
Cabinet projects range from a single bathroom vanity to every door in a large kitchen. Everything below can go on one written estimate.
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Kitchen cabinets
Upper and lower cabinets, islands and pantry doors given a new color and a smooth, even finish.
- Cabinet doors and drawer fronts
- Cabinet boxes and face frames
- Islands and end panels
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Bathroom vanities
Vanities and linen cabinets refreshed to match a new bathroom color scheme.
- Vanity doors and drawers
- Linen and storage cabinets
- Finishes suited to humid rooms
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Built-ins and shelving
Built-in bookcases, mudroom lockers, entertainment walls and laundry cabinets.
- Built-in shelving and bookcases
- Mudroom and laundry cabinets
- Media and fireplace built-ins
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Color changes
From dated oak or honey tones to white, gray, navy, green or a two-tone kitchen.
- Two-tone and island accents
- Dark-to-light color changes
- Color advice at the walkthrough
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Cleaning, sanding and priming
The prep that makes cabinet paint stick and keeps it from chipping.
- Degreasing kitchen surfaces
- Scuff sanding for grip
- Bonding primer where needed
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Hardware and reassembly
Doors, drawers and hardware are removed, labeled and put back where they belong.
- Doors labeled by position
- Hardware removed and reinstalled
- Optional new hardware fitted
Paint or replace?
Should You Paint or Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Paint your cabinets if the boxes are solid, the doors are in good shape and you like the layout. Replace them if they are water damaged, sagging, falling apart or the kitchen layout no longer works. Most kitchens with sound cabinets are good candidates for painting.
| Situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solid cabinets, dated color | Paint | A new color changes the look and keeps cabinets that still work |
| Oak or wood-tone cabinets you want lighter | Paint | Wood cabinets take paint well with the right primer |
| Worn finish but sound boxes | Paint | Prep and new coats renew the surface |
| Water-damaged or swollen cabinets | Replace | Paint cannot fix damaged material |
| Layout no longer works | Replace | Painting keeps the same layout |
Choosing a cabinet finish
Satin and semi-gloss are the most common finishes for kitchen cabinets, because they wipe clean and hold up to daily handling. Satin gives a softer look, and semi-gloss is slightly tougher and shinier. For color ideas, see 10 cabinet paint colors to modernize your kitchen and white, gray and bold kitchen cabinet colors.
Our residential and commercial painting services
Complete the Kitchen Update
Many homeowners paint the cabinets and the kitchen walls and trim at the same time, so the colors are planned together.
Exterior Painting
Siding and trim prepared and painted for wet weather.
Exterior Painting in Bellingham
Commercial Painting
Exteriors and interiors for business properties.
Commercial Painting in Bellingham
Cabinet Painting
A new finish for the cabinets you already have.
You are on this page
Revitalize Your Home
A new kitchen look, with the prep done right and your home treated with care.
Why homeowners choose us
What Makes Painted Cabinets Last
Cabinets are touched, bumped and wiped more than any other painted surface in a home. These are the steps that decide whether the finish lasts or starts chipping.
Degreasing every surface
Kitchen cabinets collect a film of cooking grease and hand oils that paint will not stick to. Every door, drawer and frame is cleaned with a degreaser before sanding.
Sanding and bonding primer
Factory finishes and glossy surfaces are scuff sanded so the primer can grip, and a bonding primer is used where the surface needs it. Skipping this is the most common reason cabinet paint peels.
A finish made for cabinets
Cabinets need a hard, durable coating that wipes clean, not ordinary wall paint. We recommend a cabinet-grade finish and sheen during the walkthrough.
Time to dry before use
Paint needs time between coats and before doors are rehung and used normally. We tell you when cabinets can be used and how to care for them while the finish hardens. See how to maintain painted cabinets.
How it works
Our Cabinet Painting Process
Five steps from the first walkthrough to cabinets back in place and ready to use.
Walkthrough and color
We look at the cabinets, check their condition and material, and talk through color and sheen.
Written estimate
You get a free estimate listing the cabinets, prep, coats and the expected timeline.
Remove and label
Doors, drawers and hardware are removed and labeled so everything goes back in the right place.
Clean, sand and prime
Surfaces are degreased, scuff sanded and primed so the paint bonds properly.
Paint, dry and reinstall
Finish coats are applied, given time to dry, and doors and hardware are reinstalled.
Paint or replace
Why Repaint Instead of Replace?
For many Bellingham kitchens, painting the cabinets gives most of the visual change of a remodel with far less disruption.
Keep what still works
Solid wood and well-built cabinet boxes can last for decades. Painting keeps them in place, along with the countertops, plumbing and backsplash that a replacement would disturb.
Less time without a kitchen
Cabinet replacement usually means demolition, installation and new countertops. Painting is done in place and in stages, so the kitchen stays partly usable while the work happens.
A color made for your home
Painting lets you choose any color, from soft whites and grays to deep greens and navy, or a two-tone kitchen with a contrasting island.
Questions
Cabinet Painting Questions
Answers to the questions Bellingham homeowners ask most about painting kitchen cabinets. For more, see our full FAQ page.
How much does cabinet painting cost in Bellingham, WA?
Cabinet painting is priced per kitchen. The cost depends on the number of doors, drawers and cabinet boxes, the cabinet material and condition, whether you are changing from a dark to a light color, two-tone designs and any repairs. A free walkthrough gives you a written estimate.
Is it worth painting kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them?
Often, yes. If the cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works for you, painting gives the kitchen a new look while keeping the cabinets you already have, without the cost and disruption of tearing them out. Replacement makes more sense when cabinets are damaged, sagging or the layout no longer works.
How do you prep kitchen cabinets for painting?
Doors, drawers and hardware are removed and labeled. Every surface is degreased to remove cooking residue, scuff sanded so the paint can grip, and primed with a bonding primer where needed. Good prep is what keeps cabinet paint from peeling or chipping.
How long does painted cabinetry hold up?
Well-prepared cabinets painted with a durable cabinet-grade finish hold up to daily use for years. The most-used doors and drawers, such as those near the sink and stove, show wear first. Our guide on how to maintain painted cabinets explains how to keep them looking new.
What is the best paint finish for kitchen cabinets?
Satin and semi-gloss are the most common finishes for kitchen cabinets, because they are durable and easy to wipe clean. Satin has a softer look, while semi-gloss is slightly tougher and shinier. We recommend a finish during the walkthrough.
Can you paint oak or wood-grain cabinets?
Yes. Oak and other open-grain woods can be painted, and the grain may still show slightly through the paint. If you want a smoother look, ask about grain filling during the walkthrough.
How long does cabinet painting take?
It depends on the size of the kitchen, the number of doors and drawers, the prep needed and drying time between coats. Your estimate includes a timeline, and we plan the work so you can keep using your kitchen as much as possible.
Can I use my kitchen while the cabinets are being painted?
Mostly, yes. Cabinet contents usually need to be moved out of the cabinets being painted, and some areas will be off limits while coats dry. We agree on the schedule with you before work starts.
Do you paint bathroom vanities and built-ins too?
Yes. We paint bathroom vanities, linen cabinets, laundry and mudroom cabinets, and built-in shelving, using finishes suited to each room.
Get in touch
Ready for a New Kitchen Look?
Send us a photo of your cabinets or call to book a free walkthrough.
Phone Number
(360) 255-3183Quickest way to book a walkthrough.
Email Address
[email protected]Send photos of your cabinets or color ideas.
Office Location
2428 Queen St, Bellingham, WA 98229Walkthroughs take place in your home.
Business Hours
Mon to Fri 9 am to 6 pmSaturday 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Sunday.
Service area
Cabinet Painting Across Whatcom County
We paint kitchen and bathroom cabinets in homes throughout Bellingham and across Whatcom County. Choose your community for local details.