Painting kitchen fronts costs 300–600 PLN for materials (DIY) or 3,000–6,000 PLN if done by a professional painter, and lasts for 2–4 years. New IKEA Faktum fronts cost 6,000–12,000 PLN for a set and look good for 10–15 years. This isn't a question of what's cheaper – it's a question of how many times you want to do it.
Painting Faktum fronts - what it really looks like
Painting Faktum kitchen fronts is a popular solution, but rarely cheap if done properly. The process involves disassembling the fronts, degreasing, sanding, priming, two coats of paint, and several days of drying. There are shortcuts at every stage that compromise the durability of the final result.
Costs of painting Faktum fronts
It's worth knowing the real numbers before comparing them to replacement:
| Option | Cost for a kitchen with 15–18 fronts | Durability of effect |
|---|---|---|
| DIY (do it yourself) | 300–600 PLN for materials + several days of work | 1–3 years |
| Professional painter / company | 150–300 PLN / front = 3,000–6,000 PLN | 3–5 years |
What painting can and cannot do
Painting changes the color and finish of the surface – nothing more. It doesn't fix swelling, doesn't eliminate scratched edges, doesn't change the shape of the milling or the proportions of the fronts. A front that was cheap and thin remains cheap and thin after repainting. Paint masks the condition for a while – it doesn't permanently change it.
The areas around handles and edges wear out the fastest – here, the paint wears down most intensely. In the kitchen, there is water vapor, grease, and heat – an environment difficult for any paint. After 2–3 years, chips and abrasions in these areas are the norm, not the exception.
New fronts for IKEA Faktum - a new kitchen on old cabinets
The IKEA Faktum system stopped being sold in Poland around 2013, but external manufacturers still produce fronts specifically for this system. The cabinets remain – only the fronts, hinges, and handles are replaced. The result is a new kitchen without a renovation: no dust, no construction crew, no disassembling installations.
Costs of replacing Faktum fronts
Prices depend on the material:
- Lacquered fronts: price in the configurator
- Veneered fronts (oak, walnut, ash): price in the configurator
- Kitchen with 15–18 fronts (lacquered): 6,500–10,000 PLN
- Execution: 7 weeks from project approval
- Installation: 1 day, delivery to EU
Yes – this is more than DIY painting. But it should be compared to professional painting: the difference between the cost of professional painting vs. new fronts is about 50-70% for an effect that will last 3× longer.
Direct comparison - painting vs. replacing Faktum fronts
| Criterion | Painting (DIY) | Painting (professional painter) | New Faktum fronts |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-time cost | 300–600 PLN | 3,000–6,000 PLN | 6,500–12,000 PLN |
| Cost over 12 years | approx. 2,000–3,000 PLN (4 repetitions) | approx. 9,000–18,000 PLN (3 repetitions) | 6,500–12,000 PLN (once) |
| Durability | 1–3 years | 3–5 years | 10–15 years |
| Visual effect | Refreshed old front | Better, but same shape | New kitchen |
| Time without kitchen | 3–5 days | 3–5 days | 1 day of installation |
| Risk of error | High | Low | Minimal |
When painting Faktum fronts MAKES sense
Painting is the right solution in specific cases – it should not be the default choice for every situation.
- Fronts are in very good technical condition – no swelling, strong veneer, intact edges
- The kitchen is temporary – e.g., a rental apartment, planned sale within 2–3 years
- Budget genuinely limited to 500–800 PLN and you accept an effect for a few years
- You only want a minimal color change for a front that is in very good condition
When replacing Faktum fronts is a better decision
New fronts win in any situation where a long-term effect matters. If the kitchen is to last 10+ years, you have solid Faktum cabinets, and you want to make a decision once and forget about the kitchen for a long time – replacing the fronts is the only sensible solution. Fronts are produced to the exact dimensions of Faktum cabinets, in a chosen color or veneer, with a 7-week lead time.
Check out available fronts for IKEA Faktum – lacquered and veneered (the exact price will be calculated by the configurator). If you are unsure about the dimensions, read how to measure IKEA Faktum fronts before ordering. You can also order a material sample.
Front materials - what to choose
When replacing fronts, you have a choice of material that painting does not offer. Lacquered fronts (MDF) in 150+ Farrow & Ball colors – from classic white to deep navy or sage – provide an effect you won't achieve with paint. Veneered fronts (oak, walnut, ash, maple) are a natural material that ages gracefully. Both materials are produced to exact dimensions for the Faktum system.
How replacing Faktum fronts works in practice - step by step
Replacing fronts is an operation that most people imagine to be complicated. In practice, it's simpler than painting. Below is the real process for a typical Faktum kitchen with 15–18 fronts:
- Measurement and order: You measure the dimensions of the cabinet openings (not the external dimensions of the cabinets). For the Faktum system, standard dimensions are well cataloged. You send the dimensions to the manufacturer and approve the color. Lead time: 7 weeks.
- Delivery: Fronts are delivered to your home in protective packaging. Each front is labeled and ready for installation – hinge holes are already drilled.
- Disassembly of old fronts: Unscrewing hinges and removing old fronts. For a kitchen with 15 fronts, this takes about 1–2 hours.
- Installation of new fronts: Hinges from the new fronts fit into existing holes in the Faktum cabinets. Hinge adjustment (level, vertical, depth). Installation of 15–18 fronts: approx. 3–4 hours.
- Done: The kitchen is usable on the same day. No dust, no renovation crew, no cutting off water or electricity.
What to do with old fronts after replacement
Old fronts removed from Faktum cabinets can be given away to local furniture markets or classified ad portals – there is often demand among people who have the same series and are looking for a replacement for repair. Fronts in poor condition – for disposal at a bulky waste collection point. Hinges in good condition can be kept (mounted on new fronts) or saved as spares.
When replacing fronts, it's worth assessing the condition of drawers and their runners. A Faktum drawer runner that squeaks or sticks costs a few dozen zlotys and can be replaced in 10 minutes. Doing this along with replacing fronts saves a separate service visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do new fronts fit the old IKEA Faktum system?
Yes, provided they are produced specifically for the Faktum system. The Metod system (current) and Faktum are not compatible – use fronts with clear information about Faktum compatibility. Ogony.pl produces fronts for both systems – when ordering, you specify the system and exact dimensions.
Can I keep the old hinges when replacing fronts?
In most cases, yes. New fronts come with hinge holes adapted to the Faktum system. Hinges in good technical condition do not need to be replaced – it's a decision you make when replacing fronts, not a necessity.
Does replacing Faktum fronts require a kitchen renovation?
No. Replacing fronts is a clean operation with no dust and no need for a renovation crew. Disassembling old fronts, installing new ones – one day's work. Cabinets, drawers, countertop, appliances, and installations remain untouched. The kitchen is usable the next day.
How much does a custom kitchen front for Faktum cost?
Lacquered and veneered fronts for Faktum at ogony.pl – the exact price will be calculated by the configurator. The price includes production to exact dimensions, edge finishing, and hinge holes. Lead time 7 weeks, delivery throughout the European Union. You can order a material sample before placing your order.
What is the durability of a lacquered front vs. a repainted one?
A factory-lacquered front – applied in industrial conditions, UV or thermally cured – lasts 10–15 years with normal use. A front repainted with paint, even by a professional painter – 3–5 years. The difference results from the coating thickness, lacquer hardness, and evenness of application.
Updated: March 2026
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