Do You Paint Both Sides of Kitchen Cabinet Doors?

A set of beautiful kitchen cabinets will enhance the aesthetic of any kitchen significantly. Kitchen cabinet doors are the most prominent feature you notice when you walk into a kitchen. You want the design to be intentional and match your desired aesthetic.

To maintain consistency in your kitchen’s design, opening a cabinet and finding it unfinished (or unpainted) on the inside can disrupt the flow you’re going for. But should you paint the inside of your cabinet doors? 

There are arguments for and against painting both sides of your cabinet doors. Each kitchen and project will be different, of course. Here, we’ll look at the factors to consider before you make a decision:

Type of Wood

The type of wood used to make your cabinet doors will play a significant role in determining whether or not to paint both sides. If you have solid wood doors, then you should paint both sides. Otherwise, you risk the wood warping or shrinking due to moisture, which can ruin the quality of your cabinets.

Humidity and Moisture

If your cabinet doors won’t close, it could be due to moisture getting inside the wood causing them to expand. Moisture is a significant contributor to the warping or splitting of wood, which will ruin your cabinets. Painting them can reduce this problem significantly. 

Type of Paint

Some paints may warrant painting only one side of the kitchen cabinet doors. If the paint brand uses a high-quality primer or sealer, you can only paint one side. However, most painting experts recommend painting both sides to provide an additional layer of protection to your cabinets.

Convenience and Cost 

Depending on the style of your cabinets, it may be difficult to reach the backside of the doors. They may have to be removed. Furthemore, the costs of paint and labor will increase if you paint both sides of all of your cabinet doors.

Different Styles and Choices for Kitchen Cabinets

With modern kitchen cabinets, you have a wide variety of choices when it comes to the style, material, and finish available.

• Wooden cabinets are often favored for their durability, and they can also come in a variety of finishes, including cherry, oak, and maple. Kitchen cabinets are usually made of wood, which very often adds a classic, timeless look to a kitchen. 

• Metal or stainless-steel cabinets are also becoming increasingly popular as they give a modern, trendy look to a kitchen. 

• Glass cabinets offer unique transparency and provide space to showcase decorative items. 

You can play with the color of the cabinets, by choosing laminates or painting directly onto wood. From classic white cabinets to chic black cabinets, the choices are endless.

Final Thoughts

You can definitely go ahead and paint both sides of cabinet doors if you wish! We suggest painting both sides if you have the time and resources to complete the project. Painting should also be part of a more complete cabinet care process, such as cleaning kitchen cabinets with baking soda.

One advantage of painting both sides of the cabinet doors is that it protects them from moisture and humidity. It also ensures your cabinets last longer and remain in good condition. On the other hand, it takes more time and effort to paint both sides of the cabinet doors, and not painting them the right way could lead to issues like warping or splitting wood.