Painting Kitchen Cabinets: Expert Tips And Ideas

Are your kitchen cabinets looking worn and outdated? Or you’re just bored and would like to refresh your kitchen space without breaking the bank? The simplest and most affordable solution for a quick kitchen update is a coat of paint! Instantly boost your kitchen style and enjoy a brighter and more trendy kitchen with a few brush strokes. We’ve got expert tips on painting kitchen cabinets for you. Keep reading.

Should I Paint My Kitchen Cabinets?

We’re sure you’re asking yourself if you should paint your kitchen cabinets right about now. Here is what you should consider before making that decision. Are your kitchen cabinets in good shape? If your kitchen cabinets are chipping or peeling, we’re afraid it might be time to replace or reface them. Paint can definitely update old kitchen cabinets, but it’s not a magic solution. Cheap cabinets that are in poor condition are probably better off being replaced.

How Much Does It Cost To Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

The simple answer to this question is a lot less than a full remodel or replacing or refacing your kitchen cabinets. Research shows that kitchen remodels are one of the most expensive renovation projects that you can undertake and replacing kitchen cabinets accounts for a huge chunk of that cost, approximately 40%. New kitchen cabinets are not cheap, so if your existing kitchen cabinets are of excellent quality and holding up well, it might be smarter to simply give them a new coat of paint. Transforming your kitchen cabinets shouldn’t cost more than a few hundred dollars and your spare time.

What Is The Best Paint For Kitchen Cabinets?

If you’re wondering how to choose the right paint for your kitchen cabinets, first consider your kitchen cabinet material. What is your cabinet made of? Is it metal, wood, or laminate? All of these options can be painted, yes, but they might require different types of paint and techniques. Wood is definitely the easiest cabinet material to paint, while laminate, especially plastic laminate can be a bit tricky and won’t retain the color as long as wood. It goes without saying you should choose good quality paint, that will help you achieve the smoothest and professional-looking finish. There are many paint options to choose from. Many professionals still love oil-based paints because they are incredibly durable and provide a smooth finish. Another option you could go with is latex paint. This type of paint is very easy to clean up and maintain. When choosing a latex paint make sure you check if it’s acrylic latex or vinyl latex paint, the acrylic latex paint will be more long-lasting and adhere better. When you choose your paint make sure to read the instructions on the label.

How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

There is no single best way to paint kitchen cabinets, but here are a few expert tips for painting kitchen cabinets that will help you achieve the best possible results. The first tip that you should consider is your tools and technique. Some of the common options for painting kitchen cabinets include spray painting, using a brush, or using a roller.

Using A Brush, Roller, Or Spray Painting Kitchen Cabinets?

Spray painting kitchen cabinets is probably the option that will give your cabinets the smoothest finish. The tricky part with spray painting is that it’s not as easy as it looks, plus you would probably have to buy or rent spray painting equipment which will make painting your kitchen cabinets a little more expensive than you initially intended. Using a brush is definitely cheaper than spray painting but unless you’re a pro, this can lead to leaving some stroke marks, but it’s usually not a big deal. For most people, a mini foam roller is the best and easiest option when it comes to painting kitchen cabinets and getting that smooth finish.

Steps For Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Now that you’ve chosen high-quality paint and your painting equipment, here are the steps you should follow to efficiently and smoothly paint your kitchen cabinets.

Prepare The Room For Painting

Paint jobs can be messy, so you’ll want to adequately prepare your room to minimize the “damage” and protect your furniture. If you can, you should ideally move the furniture to another room, but since this is mostly not the case, especially with kitchen countertops and islands, the easiest thing to do is to cover them rosin paper. You can simply tape the rosin paper over your countertops and floor to protect them from paint spills and dust. Using plastic covers should protect the rest of the furniture and windows.

Empty The Kitchen Cabinets And Remove Doors And Hardware

The next logical step before painting kitchen cabinets is to empty your kitchen cabinets and temporarily relocate their belongings. You don’t want dust and paint getting all over your china and dishes. After you empty them, you will want to remove the cabinet doors, drawers, and all the hardware. As you are removing them, don’t forget to label everything, including the doors and their box mate, and store the hardware and screws appropriately in plastic bags. You don’t want to lose them!

Time For Clean Up!

Before you start painting kitchen cabinets, you should thoroughly clean them. Even though they might look clean, kitchen cabinets are often the victims of food splatter and cooking mishaps. You will want to get that grease off so your paint can properly stick to the cabinets. Using a stronger cleaner, such as TSP with four parts water, should get the job done. After they’ve been cleaned, you should let your cabinets dry completely before you continue.

Next Step: Sanding Kitchen Cabinets

If you want your paint to stick properly, you will need to sand your kitchen cabinets. Don’t worry, you don’t need to go overboard or remove all of the existing paint, the goal of sanding is to prep the cabinet and create a slightly rougher surface for the paint to adhere to. You should carefully sand the areas that have flaky paint or shiny finish. Folding the sandpaper will help you get into those hard-to-reach areas. When you’re done with sanding your kitchen cabinets, vacuum the area so no dust particles are left to disrupt your smooth paint job.

How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Without Sanding?

If you’re wondering if you can paint kitchen cabinets without sanding, the answer is yes. We know the sanding process is messy, tiring, and time-consuming, so we understand why you’d want to avoid it. You can paint your kitchen cabinets without sanding if you use a liquid deglosser. This will save you valuable time and money and it’s very simple to use. You can simply put some deglosser on a mop and apply it to your kitchen cabinets in circular motions. You should also consider using enamel paint in this case.

How To Get A Smooth Finish When Painting Kitchen Cabinets?

After sanding, the next important step before painting your kitchen cabinets is priming them. This will prepare the cabinet surface for painting making it easier for the paint to adhere while also covering up any imperfections that you might have missed. After you prime the cabinet, you will want to lightly sand it again and vacuum the dust and wipe the cabinets with a tack cloth. Then you’re ready for the main event! When you start painting you should paint in the direction of the wood grain. You should paint in thin layers and make sure to cover all the areas evenly. If you’re using a brush, this will ensure there are fewer visible brush marks and no air bubbles. When you’re done applying the first coat, you should let your cabinet dry before you proceed to lightly sand it, vacuum and wipe with tack cloth again and apply a second coat of paint. Repeat this process if another coat is necessary and you’ll have a smooth finish on your kitchen cabinets. After your cabinets have dried, put all the pieces back together, and after some cleanup, you’ll have a brand new, fresh kitchen!

We’ve gone over the basic steps on how to paint your kitchen cabinets, how about we discuss the most popular options and give you some color ideas for painting kitchen cabinets.

Painted Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

Whether you prefer a classic, neutral kitchen cabinet color or you want to go with a bold statement, we’ve come up with some color options you can consider when you decide to paint your kitchen cabinets. Let’s take a look.

Sage Green Painted Kitchen Cabinets

This classic kitchen design features stunning sage green cabinets. This color is delicate and subtle without going unnoticed. Beautifully mixed with white walls, soapstone countertops, and black backsplash these sage green cabinets are the focal point of this space. We love how they pair with the terracotta floor and gold accents on light fixtures. This kitchen design by Heidi Caillier truly gives off a vintage and homey vibe. If you’re considering green color for your kitchen cabinet painting project, we think a sage green like this would be a hit!

Sunny Yellow Painted Kitchen Cabinets

If you’re looking for a bright and bold color that will open up your space and invite some warmth into it, we would recommend considering a sunny yellow color. The perfect example of how cheerful a kitchen can look with yellow kitchen cabinets is this gorgeous design by Aline Architecture. The trendy kitchen features incredible yellow cabinets with black details and metallic hardware. We especially love the open shelving and vibrant red dishes that it displays. The blue backsplash is also a charming and unusual touch. The entire kitchen design looks lovely and brings a smile to our faces. If you’re considering a bold alternative, yellow is an excellent color idea for your kitchen cabinets.

Blushing Pink Painted Kitchen Cabinets

You may have never considered pink for your kitchen cabinet paint color, but we’re here to shed some light on this option. It may be unorthodox, but blush pink kitchen cabinets can look truly stylish and put together. If you’re going for a neutral kitchen with a romantic and charming vibe, you might consider painting your kitchen cabinets pink. This fantastic example was designed by Jasmin Reese Interiors and we’re in love. The blush kitchen cabinets in this transitional kitchen are paired with crisp white walls and countertops and accented with gold hardware. The results are magnificent.

Timeless White Painted Kitchen Cabinets

White is one of the most popular kitchen colors of all time. If you’re considering painting your kitchen cabinets white, we get it! It’s hard to go wrong with a classic. White kitchen cabinets create a fresh and streamlined look like very few other colors can accomplish. This color is easy to style and fits into any trend or kitchen design that you might choose. White will look equally stunning in a modern kitchen design and in a traditional kitchen design. This kitchen design by Interiology features white kitchen cabinets with white countertops and a white backsplash. White on white never looked so good. We’re loving the lighting fixtures by the way!

Two-Tone Painted Kitchen Cabinets

If you’re debating between two colors, why not choose both? Two-toned kitchen cabinets are very popular and look stunning when you combine the right colors. If you’re considering painting your kitchen cabinets in two colors, get inspired by this classic and dreamy kitchen design by MMI Design. The large transitional kitchen in this photo features white top cabinets and powder blue bottom cabinets. The combination of colors is wonderful. The gray kitchen countertops and marble backsplash are excellent additions. It’s a very clean and beautiful design packed with personality.

We hope these tips and ideas are going to make your kitchen cabinet painting process easier and more efficient. It was our pleasure to share these inspiring designs with you. If at the end of this text you’ve realized your kitchen cabinets are not eligible for a paint job and should rather be replaced, you can take a look at Savona Kitchen and Bath selection of kitchen cabinets. We’re at your disposal if you have any questions or require more information about our products.