Give Your Kitchen a Breath of Fresh Air with Cream Painted Cabinets
Is your kitchen looking tired and dated? Do the oak cabinets and floral wallpaper make you cringe? Painting your kitchen cabinets a fresh cream shade can give the entire space a stylish facelift without a full renovation.
Cream cabinets create an airy, elegant aesthetic that works in both traditional and contemporary kitchens. The light neutral color opens up the space and reflects light beautifully. Paired with complimentary countertops, hardware, and backsplash, cream cabinetry brings a soothing, welcoming vibe to your kitchen.
Choosing the Perfect Cream Paint Color
With so many options on the market, selecting the right cream paint color for your kitchen cabinets can be tricky. Keep these tips in mind as you evaluate cream shades:
- Consider the existing decor and style of your kitchen. Cool-toned grays work well in modern spaces, while warm ivories complement traditional designs.
- Look at the natural lighting. North-facing rooms may benefit from warm creams, while southern light can handle cooler hues.
- Pull inspriation from your countertop and backsplash materials to find a cream that ties everything together.
Some of the most popular cabinet cream paint colors include:
Benjamin Moore White Dove
A warm white with subtle yellow undertones. This creamy shade doesn't read as stark white, adding a soft, welcoming vibe.
Sherwin Williams Alabaster
A light greige (gray + beige) that provides a neutral, barely-there color. The undertones are ideal for pairing with various styles.
Behr Cappuccino Foam
A rich, warm ivory that pairs well with natural wood accents and granite. It has more saturation than lighter creams.
When selecting a cream, avoid hues with strong orange, pink or yellow undertones, which can look dated. Stick to subtle blues, grays or beiges.
Prepping Cabinets for a Cream Paint Makeover
Starting with cabinet surfaces that are clean and lightly sanded will ensure the cream paint adheres and avoids flaws in the finish. Take doors, shelves and hardware off to make painting easy.
Degrease cabinet surfaces with a powerful degreasing cleaner. Then sand using 220 grit sandpaper to rough up the finish so paint can grip. Address any cracks, holes or uneven surfaces with wood filler.
Priming provides an essential base layer for cream paint. Use a high-quality primer specifically made for painting cabinets and apply two coats for full coverage.
Painting Your Cabinets Like a Pro
The key to achieving an immaculate, streak-free finish is using high-quality mini paint roller sleeves and angled paintbrushes. Look for ones designed for cabinet painting.
Slowly roll horizontal sections followed by slow, slightly overlapping vertical strokes. Make smooth, consistent passes and don't press too hard or you may create excess brush strokes.
Use a small angled brush to cut-in corners and edges with precision before rolling the larger sections. Allow 2-3 hours of dry time between coats.
Finish with 2-3 thin coats of a satin, eggshell or semi-gloss cream paint. The subtle sheen adds durability without looking too shiny.
Once the cabinet paint has fully cured, replace the hardware, hang doors and reinstall shelves and drawers. Adding new brass or gold hardware is an easy way to modernize cream cabinets.
Try open shelving, glass cabinet doors, or accent lighting to complement your new cream kitchen cabinets. Flowers, fruit bowls and warm textiles also enhance the light, airy aesthetic.
With some simple DIY techniques, you can transform the heart of your home with creamy painted cabinets. It's an easy, budget-friendly makeover that will give your kitchen a breath of fresh air.