Is your kitchen looking tired and dated? Dingy cabinets can make the whole room seem dark and uninspiring. But you don’t need to undergo a full kitchen remodel to give it new life. Transforming your existing cabinets with a fresh coat of paint is an easy and budget-friendly way to make your kitchen feel brand new.
Painting the cabinets yourself allows creativity with color selection, while saving thousands over pro kitchen cabinet refacing. With the right prep work and paint products, even novice DIYers can achieve gorgeous, long-lasting results. Read on for essential tips on how to paint kitchen cabinets and discover inspiring ideas to refresh your space.
Why Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Before digging into the painting process, let’s look at some of the benefits of a DIY kitchen cabinet makeover:
- Cost Savings – Painting existing cabinets instead of replacing them can save thousands of dollars.
- Transform the Look – A fresh coat of paint completely changes the feel of your kitchen.
- Weekend DIY Project – With proper prep, painting cabinets is totally doable.
- Fun Color Options – Paint opens up endless color possibilities.
For a fraction of the cost of new cabinets, you can update the look of your kitchen in a weekend. While painting cabinets does involve some work, the transformative effect is well worth the effort.
Prep Your Cabinets Before Painting
Prepping your cabinets thoroughly before painting is the most crucial step for success. Taking time to clean, sand, and apply primer will allow the new paint to adhere correctly and deliver a smooth, lasting finish. Don’t skip these prep steps!
Clean Cabinets Thoroughly First
Start by cleaning every cabinet surface fully with an all-purpose cleaner or grease-cutting degreaser. Remove all residues, dirt, grease and grime so the paint will properly stick. Take doors and drawers off the cabinets to access the box interiors for cleaning.
Sand and Degloss for Strong Adhesion
After cleaning, prepare cabinet surfaces for painting by lightly sanding and deglossing. This roughens the existing finish so the new paint can grip tightly. For wood cabinets, sand using fine 120-150 grit sandpaper. For laminate cabinets, you can skip sanding and use a liquid deglosser instead to etch the shiny coating.
Prime Cabinets for Added Protection
An essential step before painting kitchen cabinets is applying 1-2 coats of high-bond primer. Primer forms a barrier between the cabinet surface and new paint for better adhesion. It also blocks stains, provides texture, and prevents tannins from bleeding through. Using the right primer is key for a smooth, lasting finish.
Pick the Best Paint for Cabinets
With all the options on the hardware store shelf, how do you choose what paint is actually formulated to stand up to kitchen wear and tear?
For DIYers, water-based latex and acrylic paints are your best bets for kitchen cabinets. Formulated specifically for decorating and rejuvenating cabinets and furniture, these paints resist moisture, grease and everyday wear. Most offer built-in primer and dry fast.
Oil-Based Paints for Pro-Level Durability
Oil-based cabinet paints create an exceptionally hard, glass-smooth finish that stands up well in kitchens. However, they require more safety precautions, have a strong odor and take much longer to fully cure. Unless you have painting experience, latex or acrylic paints are better DIY options.
Gather Essential Painting Supplies
Having the right painting tools on hand will make your DIY kitchen cabinet painting project go faster and smoother. Essential supplies include:
- Angled trim brushes – Great for painting hard to reach areas
- Mini foam rollers – Speed up painting flat cabinet surfaces
- Painter’s tape – Mask off edges and protect countertops
- Drop cloths – Keep floors and walls spotless
Invest in high-quality brushes with soft, tapered bristles. Disposable mini rollers, painters tape, and drop cloths are also cabinet painting must-haves.
Apply Cabinet Paint Correctly
With your prep work and supplies ready to go, it’s time to start painting your kitchen cabinets! Follow these key technique tips for best results:
First Coat Seals the Surface
Your first coat of cabinet paint goes on thinly to seal the surface without pooling in any crevices. This layer prepares the way for subsequent coats. Allow to fully dry as specified by the paint manufacturer before adding another layer.
Second Coat Provides Color and Coverage
After the first coat has cured, apply a second, thicker layer of paint to build up vivid color intensity and provide full coverage. Adding more than one coat prevents thin spots while creating a rich, consistent finish.
Consider Adding Third Coat for Protection
For the cabinet boxes or on any dark paint colors, applying three total coats ensures complete opacity and an exceptionally durable painted finish. The additional coat also helps ward off scratches and dings.
Remove Doors and Hardware for Easier Painting
Painting cabinet doors while unattached from the cabinet boxes and without hardware installed vastly simplifies the painting process. Lay doors flat across sawhorses or across sturdy boxes to access all sides easily.
Once the paint has fully cured, reattach doors and hardware to put your kitchen cabinets back together again.
Get Creative with Painted Cabinet Accent Ideas
Looking to add extra depth and dimension to your newly painted cabinets? Try these easy accent painting techniques after completing the main kitchen cabinet paint job:
Contrast Interior Color for Brilliant Impact
For a dramatic “wow” effect, paint the interior of glass door cabinets or open shelves a bold, contrasting color from the exterior. Deep blue or emerald green paired with crisp white makes quite the color statement.
Dry Brush Layers White Over Main Color
The dry brush technique lightly layers a top coat of white over existing color using a dry paint brush. This creates a timeworn distressed finish with the darker base hue peeking through.
Accent with Painted Patterns or Textures
Add visual intrigue with painted patterns like stripes, shapes or freehand doodles. Stenciling kits make it easy to achieve intricate designs. Or get dimensional by painting cabinets to look like faux marble or woodgrain.
Protect and Maintain Your Painted Cabinets
After putting in all that painting work, you’ll want your transformed kitchen cabinets to stay looking fresh as long as possible. Here are simple maintenance tips:
Seal With a Protective Clear Coat
Adding a clear protective topcoat over the cured painted finish helps kitchen cabinets withstand years of cooking splatters, spills and regular wear and tear. Polyurethane or water-based acrylic sealers enhance shine while strengthening the painted surface.
Clean Painted Cabinets Routinely
Grease splatter and grimy buildup are the enemies of any painted finish. Use a mild soap and water solution to wipe down exterior cabinet surfaces frequently. This prevents soils from bonding tightly over time. Magic Eraser sponges lift sticky messes easily.
Be Inspired by Gorgeous Painted Cabinet Ideas
Ready to get started on your own painted kitchen cabinet DIY transformation? Spark some creativity with these stunning look ideas:
The Classic White Kitchen Refresh
Nothing brightens up a tired kitchen faster than white painted cabinets paired with light walls and counters. For variation, try an antique white or warm ivory tone. Accent with glass cabinet inserts and brushed nickel hardware.
Playful Two-Toned Blue and White Cottage
Channel breezy cottage vibes with navy blue lower cabinets and crisp white uppers. Contrasting the bottom and top cabinets amps up charm. Match with butcher block counters and nickel bin pulls.
Inspired by an old farmhouse style? Try limed white oak or sage green cabinets sanded and glazed post-painting for a timeworn patina. Pair with oil-rubbed bronze hardware for extra rustic allure.
The decor options when painting kitchen cabinets are practically endless. With a well-prepped surface and the right products, you can achieve almost any stylish look imaginable while saving a bundle. Our step-by-step guide takes the mystery and guesswork out of DIY cabinet refinishing. Gather inspiration from the stunning ideas here and get ready for a personalized kitchen refresh!
