You’ve decided your kitchen or bathroom cabinets need a fresh start. Maybe you’re getting them professionally painted to bring them back to life, or perhaps you’re finally saying goodbye to the dated wood tone you’ve had for decades. As you’re planning, you start thinking about the small upgrades that can make a big difference in how your cabinets function. One idea stands out: soft-close hinges. The thought of doors and drawers gliding shut without that jarring slam is appealing. But then a question hits: Can you even add soft-close hinges to older cabinets? Or is that only for brand-new ones?
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve been working with cabinets in Omaha homes since 1996. We’ve painted, refinished, and helped homeowners make smart updates to cabinets of every style and age. We’ve seen firsthand how a small functional upgrade, like soft-close hinges, can make old cabinets feel brand-new.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly whether you can add soft-close hinges to your existing cabinets and drawers, what your options are, how they can be installed during a painting project, and the best way to decide whether to purchase them through your painter or separately. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the process so you can make an informed choice for your own home.
Yes, you absolutely can. Whether your cabinets are ten years old or forty, there are ways to add soft-close hinges or soft-close add-on mechanisms.
Soft-close hinges work by using a built-in damper system that slows down the motion of the door or drawer as it closes. This prevents slamming, reduces wear on the cabinet, and feels more high-end. While many newer cabinets come with them already installed, older cabinets can be upgraded without a complete replacement.
There are two main approaches for adding soft-close capability:
This option involves removing your current hinges or slides and replacing them with new ones that have the soft-close feature built in. For cabinet doors, that means swapping to soft-close hinges. For drawers, that often means replacing the slides with soft-close versions.
Pros:
Cons:
These are small devices that attach to your current hinges or slides, adding a soft-close function without replacing the whole piece.
Pros:
Cons:
If you’re already planning to have your cabinets professionally painted, this is the perfect time to upgrade to soft-close hinges or drawer slides. Why?
Yes, many professional painters, including Brush & Roll Painting, can install soft-close hinges or drawer slides as part of your cabinet painting project, whether you buy them on your own or purchase them through the painter.
You have two main choices for how to purchase them:
Buying Through Your Painter
Buying Hardware Yourself
If you’re not comfortable measuring hinges or aren’t sure what will work with your existing cabinets, having your painter handle it can save a lot of frustration.
When upgrading older cabinets to soft-close, there are a few things to keep in mind:
For many homeowners, yes. Soft-close hinges and slides don’t just feel nice; they also protect your cabinets. By preventing the repeated impact of slamming, they can help painted or stained finishes last longer. They also reduce noise.
If you’re already investing in a cabinet painting project, adding soft-close hinges can be a relatively small additional cost for a noticeable improvement in function.
Prices can vary depending on the style of hinge or drawer slide, brand, and installation time required. For Omaha homeowners, expect to pay anywhere from a few dollars per door for simple add-on clips to $15–$30 per hinge for full replacements. Drawer slides often cost more, usually $20–$50 per set.
When included in a painting project quote, the labor for installation is typically lower than if you were to hire someone separately later. That’s because the painter already has the doors and drawers off, making the process more efficient.
Ask yourself:
If the answer to these is yes, adding soft-close hinges is likely a smart choice.
If you’ve been wondering whether you can add soft-close hinges to your older cabinets, the answer is yes. Whether you choose full replacement hinges and slides or simpler add-on devices, the upgrade is possible and often straightforward. Adding them during a painting project is the most efficient time, since your doors and drawers will already be removed and ready for reinstallation.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve worked with Omaha homeowners since 1996 to make thoughtful updates like this during painting projects. If you’re ready to give your cabinets a fresh new look and add the quiet convenience of soft-close hinges, click the button below to get a quote.
If you’re not ready to get a quote just yet, try our cabinet painting pricing calculator to get an idea of what your project might cost.