Homeowner's Guide to Kitchen Remodeling

Doing kitchen remodel projects in the correct order to avoid future headaches

The number one question we get from homeowners who are planning on renovating their kitchen spaces is... how do you know what order to do the various projects in? This is such a common question that we surveyed other professional refinishers in the cabinet painting business for their expertise on the subject. Here's our advise for homeowners:

-If adding to, removing or repairing existing cabinets...always save the painting until last. Any new carpentry should absolutely be done prior to refinishing and caulking should be done as part of the painting process. You'll want to plan accordingly with your painting contractor to ensure that these upgrades are finished prior to scheduling your dates.

-If replacing countertops, you'll want to save cabinet painting til last. More often than not, a newly painted cabinet job can get accidentally get damaged by countertop installers as many paints need at least 30 days to properly cure. If you're using A La Carte Cabinet Painting, our paint cures within 24 hours so there's less concern about scratches, dents, and chips. We also recommend asking your countertop installer to run a thin bead of paintable caulk under the countertop to create a clean finished look where the bottom cabinet meets the countertop.

-If removing old backsplash and installing new, it's best to do this prior to cabinet painting. Again, installers may accidentally damage newly painted cabinets if done afterwards. An additional advantage to removing backsplash beforehand is that there may be a section of old tile that covers an edge of a cabinet. If this is the case, you'll need to decide whether the new tile will be reinstalled in the same area.

-If installing or refinishing flooring in kitchen, if flooring is unfinished hardwood and needs to be sealed, this curing process can take as much as 30 days. We recommend coordinating with your cabinet refinisher to schedule your project after the floors have fully cured. Ladders and equipment required for painting can easily damage a newly refinished floor and no cabinet painting company will take on this liability. Additionally, it is not recommended at any time to paint cabinets over an unfinished hardwood floor. The products used to deep clean cabinets can stain unfinished wood causing homeowner additional money to have them resanded. If new flooring being installed is engineered, vinyl, or tile, cabinet painting can be done immediately following the install. If cabinet painting company is comfortable working on the subfloor with potential hazards of exposed nails and such, cabinets can technically be painted prior to the flooring install.

When faced with multiple renovation tasks, there are so many details to manage and many facets of the projects can go wrong. Our advise is to hire a seasoned general contractor to oversee all the various aspects of a larger scale remodel. This person is your go-to contact and manages each independent contractor to ensure a smooth and timely process. Feel free to contact us for referrals to a reputable general contractor you can trust in the Raleigh area. For smaller remodels, a homeowner is always safest to leave the painting til last...when in doubt...PAINT LAST!

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Kitchen Cabinet Trends 2025

By Heather Perkins • February 11, 2025

The year 2025 welcomes a collection of warm, neutral, and natural hues. In this blog, we delve into several key signature elements anticipated in today's designs. Design and Layout: Expect minimalistic, clean, and uncluttered spaces featuring concealed pantries, preparation areas, and sculleries that effectively hide messes, enhancing the experience of entertaining. Incorporating drawers throughout lower cabinetry provides additional storage, improved organization, and a practical solution for accommodating heavy pots and pans. Expansive islands equipped with built-in appliances and seating merge form and function, creating a shared space for both gathering and cooking seamlessly. Full overlay European-style cabinetry takes the center stage with it's sleek, modern appeal while traditional partial overlay takes a backseat in 2025. Open Shelving to neatly display plates, glasses, or cool trinkets and artwork add structural visual interest to and open up otherwise crowded wall space. Under Cabinet Lighting highlights countertop and backsplash and brightens the space Color Trends: Warm tones are in vogue while cool hues have taken a back seat. The era of stark white, sterile kitchens is a thing of the past; inviting warm shades encourage friends and family to congregate in a more welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, combinations of diverse textures and colors are trending. Rich, stained wood paired with gentle off-whites, greiges (a blend of grey and beige), or striking deep colors are all the rage this year. Below are some of our top color selections: Off Whites: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (Light Reflectance Value 83), Benjamin Moore White Dove (LRV 83), Benjamin Moore Seapearl (LRV 78) and Benjamin Moore Ballet White (LRV 72) Greiges: Benjamin Moore Classic Gray (LRV 73), Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (LRV 55), Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige (LRV 58), Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (LRV 63) and Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (68) Moody Darks: Sherwin Williams Rosemary, Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze, Sherwin Williams Naval, Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal and Sherwin Williams Black Magic Two-toned Kitchens: Natural woods mixed with painted cabinetry Finishes: Uniform finishes across the board are a thing of the past. Incorporating a blend of sheens and metals to create a subtle yet complementary contrast with cabinet colors introduces both interest and sophistication to the area. Warm metals such as antique brass can be beautifully combined with classic bronze or satin nickel, while polished brass provides a striking complement to polished chrome. Design professionals advise a maximum combination of 2-3 metals to achieve both interest and harmony within the space. At A La Carte Cabinet Painting, we provide complimentary expert color consultations designed to assist our clients in selecting shades that perfectly reflect their personality and design aspirations. We also order up to three Samplize color swatches for our clients, allowing them to visualize their preferred color options within their own space. These oversized peel and stick swatches are crafted from genuine paint by Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, PPG, and Farrow and Ball.