What is Kitchen Refinishing — and is it right for your kitchen?

The island was refinished in a deep blue and paired with a new light worktop to rebalance the room.

 Original kitchen island with timber worktop and painted cabinetry before refinishing

Kitchen refinishing is the process of updating an existing kitchen by restoring and re-coating the original cabinetry, rather than replacing it.

Instead of removing units, altering layouts or installing new carcasses, the focus is on improving what’s already there — refining the finish, colour and overall appearance of the space.

For many kitchens, particularly those that are well made, this offers a more considered alternative to replacement.

How it works

At its simplest, kitchen refinishing involves:

• Removing doors and drawers

• Thorough preparation (cleaning, sanding and repairs)

• Applying specialist coatings

• Reinstalling and adjusting all elements

In a workshop-led process, removable elements are refinished in a controlled spray environment. This allows for a more consistent finish across every surface, particularly around edges and profiles.

Fixed elements — such as frames or end panels — are completed on-site with careful masking and protection. Read more about our Studio process

Refinishing vs replacing

The key difference is that refinishing works with what already exists.

If the structure of the kitchen is sound, replacing it often means removing something that still has years of use left — simply to change the appearance.

Refinishing focuses on:

• Updating colour and tone

• Improving the quality of the finish

• Bringing the kitchen in line with the rest of the space

It’s often chosen when the layout works, but the finish feels dated. We can also support the wider detailing of the space, helping to source hardware and tiles that sit comfortably with the finished cabinetry. Through our trade accounts and workshop samples — including handles from Corston, Hendel & Hendel and Plank Hardware, alongside Bert & May tiles — we’re able to suggest options that align with the chosen colour and finish. This allows the kitchen to feel considered as a whole, rather than updated in isolation. View our recent kitchen projects

Is kitchen refinishing durable?

When carried out using appropriate coatings and proper preparation, kitchen refinishing is designed to be durable and long-lasting.

The longevity of the finish depends largely on:

• preparation

• application conditions

• coating system used

A controlled environment allows coatings to cure properly and consistently — which is difficult to achieve with purely on-site spraying.

When is refinishing the right choice?

Kitchen refinishing is typically suitable when:

• The cabinets are structurally sound

• The layout works well

• The space feels visually outdated rather than functionally flawed

It may not be the right approach if:

• units are damaged beyond repair

• layout changes are required

• the kitchen is nearing the end of its lifespan

A more considered approach

Rather than starting again, kitchen refinishing focuses on improving what’s already there.

For many homes, it offers a way to achieve a more refined, cohesive result — without the disruption and cost of a full replacement.

Thinking about your own kitchen?

If your kitchen works, but no longer feels right, refinishing is often the starting point.

We’re always happy to take a look at photos and advise on whether it’s suitable.

→ Send us your kitchen photos