You have an IKEA Faktum kitchen. The cabinets are solid, the cabinets aren't falling apart, and everything works. There's one problem: the fronts are showing their age .

And then a question arises that we hear very often:

“So, are we painting the old fronts or making new ones?”

At first glance, painting seems cheaper and simpler. Replacing the fronts sounds like a major operation.
But… the devil is in the details.

Let's break it down honestly, coolly and without marketing .

Option 1: Painting old fronts – what does it look like in practice?

Painting kitchen fronts is a popular solution, but not always well understood. In theory, it works like this:

• you take off the fronts,

• you are grinding,

• you prime,

• you paint (with a roller, spray gun or at a paint shop),

• you assemble it back.

In practice it varies.

Costs of painting fronts

Depending on the variant:

DIY (do it yourself):

• paints, primer, sandpaper, rollers: approx. PLN 300–600

• time: a few days of work + mess at home

Painter/outside company:

• 150–300 PLN for one front

• kitchen 15–20 fronts = PLN 3,000–6,000

And this is important: painting "ready-made" is not very cheap at all , if you do it right.

Visual effect – pros and cons

Pros:

• quick color change,

• no interference with the bodies,

• you can do it "right now".

Cons (and these are important):

• you can see old cutters, joints, damage,

• the paint does not change the design of the front,

• the veneer or MDF underneath continues to "work".

If the front was cheap, thin or already tired - the paint will not hide it , it will only highlight it over time.

Durability of painted fronts

And here we come to the point.

• the paint scratches more easily (especially around the handles),

• there is steam, moisture, grease in the kitchen,

• After 2–3 years, the following often appear:

  • chips,

  • abrasions,

  • dulling of color.

Painting does not solve the problem of the old front , it only masks it.

Option 2: Replacing the fronts with new IKEA Faktum replacements

The second option is new fronts adapted to the Faktum system . The bodies remain, everything else changes.

And this is the key difference.

Costs of replacing fronts

The price range depends on the material:

• laminate/melamine: from approx. PLN 300–400 per front

• varnish: PLN 450–700 per front

• veneer/wood: even higher

For kitchens with 15–20 fronts:

• approx. PLN 6,000–12,000 per set

Yes – it's more than just DIY painting.
But let's compare further.

Visual effect

Here the difference is immediately visible:

• perfectly even surface,

• new color without any gaps,

• the ability to change the style (smooth, milled, modern),

• new edges, new proportions.

This is not a "refreshment."
This is a new kitchen on old frames .

Durability of new fronts

New fronts:

• they have factory varnishing or veneering,

• are resistant to moisture and temperature,

• they do not peel off after a year,

• look good for 10–15 years.

In the long run, this is a definitive solution , not a temporary one.

Side-by-side comparison – painting vs. replacement

Costs

• DIY Painting: Cheaper, but at the expense of time and quality

• Professional painting: often only a little cheaper than new fronts

• Exchange: more expensive at the start, cheaper in the long run

Effect

• Painting: "refreshed old fronts"

• Exchange: "new kitchen"

Durability

• Painting: 2–4 years in a real kitchen

• New fronts: 10+ years without problems

Risk

• Painting: major (the final effect depends heavily on the workmanship)

• Replacement: minimal (fronts made to measure)

When does painting make sense?

To be fair, painting isn't always bad.

It makes sense if:

• the fronts are in perfect condition,

• the kitchen is temporary (e.g. a rental apartment),

• the budget is very limited,

• you accept compromises.

If you treat the kitchen as a "temporary" option – okay.

When is replacing fronts a better decision?

The front exchange wins if:

• the kitchen is supposed to stay for years,

• you care about aesthetics,

• you don't want to correct the same thing in 2-3 years,

• you have the IKEA Faktum system and solid bodies.

Then painting is a half-measure , and new fronts are the final solution.

A conclusion without beating around the bush

Painting fronts:

• cheaper to start with,

• short-term,

• fraught with risk.

New IKEA Faktum fronts:

• more expensive once,

• much better effect,

• peace of mind for years.

If you are going to invest time, money and nerves – it is better to do it once and do it right .

FAQ – frequently asked questions

Do the new fronts fit the old Faktum system?
Yes, provided they are made specifically for Faktum. The Method System and Faktum are not compatible.

Can I keep the old hinges and drawers?
In most cases, yes. New fronts are designed to fit the existing hardware.

Does replacing fronts require renovation?
No. This is dust-free, demolition-free, and kitchen-disassembly-free.

Do new facades increase the value of the apartment?
Definitely more so than the old painted fronts. Visually, they make a huge difference.