Brighten Up Your Kitchen Space with White Paint on Brown Cabinets
If your kitchen is feeling outdated or dark with its existing brown cabinets, painting them white can make a dramatic difference. The clean, bright look of white cabinets can give your kitchen a whole new personality that feels more modern, spacious and reflects your personal style.
Transforming the look of your kitchen by painting the cabinets white is a project many homeowners are eager to take on. But before you dive in, it's important to understand the process involved and how to achieve the best possible results.
Preparing Your Kitchen for a Cabinet Paint Job
To paint your cabinets, everything will need to be cleared off and removed from both the countertops and the interior of the cabinets. Taking cabinet doors off the boxes will make the painting process much easier. Here are the key steps for prepping your kitchen:
- Empty out cabinets and drawers completely. Remove any shelving, racks or hardware as well.
- Use painter's tape to label each cabinet and drawer so you know exactly where to put things back later.
- Take off all cabinet doors, drawers and hardware (knobs, pulls, hinges) and set aside carefully.
- Clean cabinet surfaces thoroughly with a degreaser like Simple Green or vinegar to remove any grease or grime.
- Fill any holes or imperfections with wood filler and sand surfaces smooth.
Proper prep before painting is crucial for getting an even, lasting finish. Be sure to address any repairs, sanding and cleaning before moving onto the priming stage.
Priming Dark Cabinets Before Painting
Primer provides a uniform surface for the paint to adhere to, while blocking stains and tannins from bleeding through. Priming is an essential step when painting darkened wood cabinets white.
For best results, use a high-quality primer specifically formulated for painting cabinets and woodwork, such as Zinsser B-I-N Primer. Apply one or two coats of primer, depending on the condition of your cabinets. Then lightly sand and clean the doors again after priming.
Painting Cabinets White
The tools you'll need for a smooth painted finish include angled paintbrushes for cutting in, high-density foam rollers, painter's tape and a paint tray. For the paint, opt for a top-quality product designed specifically for cabinetry, like Benjamin Moore Advance or Sherwin-Williams ProClassic.
Paint the cabinet boxes before the doors for greater efficiency. Start by painting the cabinet backs first. This allows you to flip the pieces over quickly to paint the front sides. Apply at least two thin, even coats of paint using a foam roller and angled sash brush. Lightly sand and clean between coats to ensure proper adhesion.
Reassembling and Finishing Touches
Once fully cured, you can reinstall the cabinet doors, drawers and hardware. Replace all hardware in exactly the same position as originally installed. Fill any gaps with paintable caulk for a seamless look. Consider adding new knobs or pulls to finish off your new white kitchen cabinets.
If desired, install trim molding around the cabinets to hide gaps and give your kitchen a built-in, high-end look. For anyone handy with woodwork, adding trim can take your kitchen makeover to the next level.
Enjoy Your Fresh, Bright White Kitchen!
After all your hard work prepping, priming and painting, it's time to finally enjoy your amazing kitchen transformation. The clean white cabinets will make the whole room appear lighter, brighter and more spacious.
The light, neutral palette also makes a versatile backdrop that allows your countertops, flooring, appliances and decor to really stand out. Styling and accessorizing your new white kitchen will be a breeze.
Maintaining Your White Cabinets
While the satin or semi-gloss sheen makes cabinet surfaces easy to wipe down, white cabinets will require more frequent cleaning than darker wood. Use a mild soap and soft cloth to clean spills and greasy fingerprints as soon as they happen.
Consider adding an extra clear coat of non-yellowing polyurethane if your kitchen sees heavy use. And be gentle when cleaning to avoid scratching or damaging the painted finish over time.
Painting outdated brown cabinets white can give your kitchen a whole new look and feel for a reasonable cost. Follow these steps for preparing, priming and painting your cabinets and enjoy the bright, refreshed look of your space.
Painting your kitchen cabinets white breathes new life into the space, instantly making it feel more open, airy and spacious. It's an affordable way to upgrade your kitchen to a light, classic look that reflects your personal style.