You’re updating your kitchen or bathroom cabinets, and you’re already making dozens of decisions: paint color, handles, finish, and maybe even a full cabinet refacing. Then your painter or contractor asks, “Do you want to add soft-close hinges and drawers?”
It sounds nice… but is it necessary? Is it worth the extra cost? Or is this just one of those upgrades that sounds fancier than it is?
If you're feeling unsure or even a little overwhelmed by the number of choices you're making, you’re not alone. For homeowners in Omaha, choosing optional upgrades like soft-close hardware can feel like a game of, “Will I regret not doing this later?”
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve been working on cabinets across Omaha since 1996. We've seen every kind of cabinet hardware—good, bad, and frustrating. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners upgrade their existing cabinets with new paint, new hardware, and yes, soft-close hinges and drawer slides. But we also know not every homeowner wants or needs every possible upgrade.
This article will walk you through exactly what soft-close hinges and drawer slides are, what they do, why some homeowners love them, and why others decide to skip them. We’ll also cover how much they cost, how they protect your cabinets, and whether or not they’re easy to add to existing cabinet boxes. By the end, you’ll feel confident knowing whether this is a feature worth including in your project—or not.
Let’s start simple. Soft-close hardware is exactly what it sounds like—it helps your cabinet doors and drawers close slowly and quietly instead of slamming shut.
Soft-close hinges have a built-in mechanism that slows the cabinet door down as it closes. Instead of hearing that familiar “bang!” every time a door shuts, you get a quiet, gentle close.
Soft-close drawer Slides work the same way. As you push the drawer in, it catches the slide mechanism and finishes the close for you—slowly and silently.
You don’t have to be gentle. Even if your kids (or spouse) are known for slamming drawers shut, soft-close hardware helps absorb that energy and avoid the impact.
Here are a few reasons many people feel like soft-close hardware is one of the best small upgrades they made during their cabinet painting or remodeling project.
Every time a drawer or cabinet door slams, it causes a little bit of wear and tear. Over time, that adds up. Paint can chip, screws can loosen, and wood can crack or dent at the edges.
Soft-close hardware significantly reduces that impact, which can extend the life of your cabinets, especially if you're investing in having them professionally painted or refinished.
If you have little ones running around the house, you know how fast things get messy or loud. Soft-close drawers can help avoid pinched fingers, slammed doors, or things falling over from impact. They’re also great for adults who may not even realize how hard they close things until the banging stops.
A lot of Omaha homeowners say that once they add soft-close hardware, they can’t imagine going back. It just makes the cabinets feel more solid, modern, and complete. If you’re updating older cabinets with new paint and hardware, soft-close hinges are like the cherry on top—subtle but satisfying.
Now let’s talk honestly: soft-close hardware isn’t something every homeowner chooses. And in many cases, it’s not absolutely necessary. Here’s why some people decide to pass:
Upgrading to soft-close hinges and drawers will usually add between $15–$30 per cabinet or drawer, depending on the brand and type. Multiply that by every door and drawer in your kitchen or bathroom, and it can add up quickly.
Some homeowners would rather spend that money on better handles or knobs, new countertops, or just keep it in their pocket. And that’s totally reasonable.
If you don’t have kids and you're already gentle on your cabinets, you may not feel like the soft-close function is necessary. If your drawers are already gliding well, and you’ve never had an issue with slamming, this feature might not feel like a big upgrade.
If you’re doing a full kitchen remodel with new cabinet boxes, adding soft-close hardware is usually a simple upgrade. But for existing cabinets, it can depend on what you’re working with.
Some older cabinets don’t easily accommodate modern soft-close hinges without modifying the doors or frames. The same goes for drawers, especially if the boxes aren’t level, square, or have wear-and-tear. In some cases, the drawers may need to be rebuilt to get soft-close slides to work properly.
That’s why we always recommend asking your painter or cabinet professional (like us) to take a look and let you know what’s possible before committing.
Yes—if slamming doors and drawers is a regular thing in your house, soft-close hardware can absolutely help your cabinets last longer. It protects the painted surfaces, keeps hinges from getting loose over time, and helps the drawer boxes stay tight.
That said, soft-close hinges won’t fix cabinets that are already in rough shape. If your drawer boxes are splitting or your doors are sagging, soft-close hardware can’t work miracles. Think of it more as a preventative feature than a solution for existing problems.
Here’s where it comes down to personal preference. Let’s break it down by a few common homeowner goals:
You’re trying to modernize your kitchen on a budget.
If you’re looking for that modern, “like-new” feel but don’t want to replace everything, soft-close hardware can be a relatively affordable way to make your cabinets feel updated.
You’re investing in professionally painted cabinets.
If you’re hiring a company like Brush & Roll Painting to refinish your cabinets, soft-close hardware is a smart add-on to help protect that investment. It helps avoid wear at the edges and corners and keeps that freshly painted finish looking good longer.
You’re flipping a house or getting ready to sell.
Soft-close hardware can be a small selling point. Buyers notice these little touches, and it can make your home feel more cared-for. But if you’re flipping and watching every dollar, it might not be your top priority.
You’re just trying to freshen things up.
If you’re repainting your cabinets for a clean look but not going all-in on upgrades, soft-close hardware might not be necessary. Regular hinges still work just fine, and you can always upgrade later if you change your mind.
If you’ve been wondering whether soft-close hinges and drawer slides are worth the upgrade, we hope this article gave you the clarity you needed. It’s one of those features you won’t miss until you try it—and once you do, you may wonder how you lived without it.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve been helping Omaha homeowners with cabinet refinishing and painting projects since 1996. We take the time to look at the details—like hardware upgrades—to help you make the right call for your budget, your home, and your long-term goals.
Click the button below to get a quote, and we’ll walk through your project together—no pressure, no sales pitch, just honest advice from people who love making homes look and feel better.
Choosing the right paint color and design style for your kitchen can be one of the hardest parts of any renovation. With so many options, it’s easy to feel stuck between safe and bold or unsure of what will actually look good once it’s on your cabinets.
That’s why we recommend downloading our free Paint Color & Design Guide. It’s packed with helpful tips, real-life examples, and expert advice to help you narrow down your choices with confidence.