Give Your Kitchen a Dramatic Makeover By Painting the Cabinets

Tired of staring at the same outdated oak cabinets every time you cook dinner or wash dishes? Give your kitchen a dramatic facelift by painting those cabinets yourself.

Painting cabinets can fully transform the look of your kitchen for a fraction of the cost of new cabinetry. The brilliant whites and bold, colorful cabinets you see on your favorite home renovation shows are absolutely achievable through faux finishes and paint.

Assessing Your Existing Cabinets

Before you break out the paintbrushes, take some time to examine your current cabinets. Check for any damage, wear and tear, or flaws in the original construction. Make notes of missing hinges, holes, cracks or peeling laminate that will need patching and repairs.

Determine what material your current cabinets are constructed from - are they real wood underneath or a laminate veneer? Solid hardwoods like oak provide the best base for painted finishes. Particleboard laminates don't hold paint as well but can still be dramatically improved.

Evaluate how sound the cabinet boxes and faces are. Paint adheres much better to surfaces in good condition. Damaged or flimsy cabinets may need extra preparation and priming for the best painted finish.

Planning Your Color Palette

Once you've assessed your cabinets' current state, it's time to dream in color! Planning a smart color palette is key to a cohesive kitchen design.

Look at countertops, backsplashes, appliances and flooring you don't intend to replace. Contrasting or complementary paint colors will make those existing elements pop.

Be sure to examine cabinet paint swatches in both natural and artificial light. Sheens like glossy look striking in bright light but more subtle satin or matte finishes often read better in average kitchen lighting.

Hardware and Door Styles

While you have the cabinets emptied for painting, it's the perfect opportunity to upgrade dated cabinet hardware and reconfigure doors for a more modern, streamlined look.

Replacing old hinges and knobs is an easy DIY task that makes a huge visual impact. Check out the latest trends in cabinet hardware finishes and shapes.

Eliminating or repositioning fixed cabinets to create more accessible shelf space is also reasonably easy. Changing door styles like replacing solid doors with glass inserts opens up the kitchen's sightlines.

Preparing Cabinets for Painting

Painting kitchen cabinets isn't necessarily difficult, but the prep work is crucial for getting professional-looking results. You'll want to thoroughly clean grime, grease and dirt so the new paint will properly adhere.

Supplies You'll Need

Gather essential painting supplies before starting:

• Drop cloths
• Painters tape
• Sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• High-quality primer
• Cabinet paint
• Angled sash brush
• Paint roller
• Paint trays

Detach Doors, Drawers and Hardware

Remove all cabinet doors, drawers, shelves and hardware prior to beginning any other steps. Number or label each door and drawer to ensure an accurate reinstallation.

Taking doors off the hinges allows much easier access for cleaning, repairs, sanding and painting. You'll achieve more professional looking results painting doors separately from cabinet boxes.

Clean and Sand Surface

Wash cabinets thoroughly after emptying with TSP or other degreasing solutions. For glossy cabinets, lightly sand the laminate with 220 grit sandpaper to rough up the surface so the paint can properly adhere.

Finish prepping by carefully wiping down all cabinet surfaces with a tack cloth to remove any residual dust before priming or painting.

Prime Bare Wood

On exposed raw wood surfaces like cabinet frames or new replacement doors, apply a quality priming coat first. Oil-based primers like Zinsser Bulls Eye 123 provide excellent blocking power for stubborn surfaces like wood knots and grease stains.

Painting Your Cabinets

Once primed and prepped, you're ready to apply the cabinet paint transformation! Proper materials, tools and techniques will ensure your painted kitchen looks like you hired a pro.

Paint Options

Both latex and oil-based paints work well for cabinets, with some different pros and cons. Water-based latex acrylics clean up easily with soap and water. Oil-based alkyds create an ultra-durable, harder finish but require paint thinner for cleanup.

For the cabinet boxes, opt for cabinet paint with extra bonding resins to withstand wear and tear. Choose paint with at least some sheen - flat finishes show more imperfections. Satin and semi-gloss enamels are good options.

Brushwork and Rolling Techniques

Use a high-quality angled sash brush to cut in sharp lines and conquer corners and crevices. Roll larger flat areas with a short nap roller cover. Brush horizontally first then vertically for an ultra-smooth finish.

Apply at least 2-3 thin, even coats allowing full drying time between each. Lightly sanding between coats produces a glass-like finish.

Distressing

For a trendy timeworn or distressed look, there are several techniques you can use on painted cabinets. Wiping layers with rags before fully dry creates an aged worn patina. Strategic sanding or small nails/keys scratch away bits of paint for a chipped charm.

Finishing Coats

We recommend a protective clear topcoat like polyurethane or lacquer on painted cabinets, especially cabinets with darker paint colors. This adds a layer of protection and makes cleaning easier.

Once fully cured, reinstall doors, hardware, drawers and shelving to complete your transformed kitchen!

Painted Cabinet Inspiration

Ready to choose your own colors? Today's cabinet paint options let you customize to any style. Here are some inspiring ideas:

All-White Kitchen

Crisp clean white cabinetry gives this timeless, airy look. Try an antique white for a slightly distressed vibe or go bright with a glossy lacquer finish.

Black Accents

Make your cabinets a dramatic focal point with black. Try painting just the islands or bases black while walls and uppers remain light. Sleek modern hardware in black finishes completes the look.

Two-Tone Combinations

Mixing cabinet colors adds appealing contrast. Pair creamy cabinets with a navy island for a bold coastal vibe. Or try white uppers with natural wood lowers for an updated cottage style.

Bright and Bold Hues

Why not go for vibrant emerald greens, cobalt blues or rich clementine oranges? Painting just the lower cabinets or an accent wall in a saturated hue makes that color pop.

Cost Comparison

One of the biggest perks of painting over replacing your kitchen cabinets is cost savings. Painting existing cabinetry yourself typically ranges from $2,000-$4,000 depending on size and scope. Professionally painted cabinets average $4,000-$8,000.

Complete cabinet replacement often starts around $8,000 for stock cabinets and goes up dramatically for custom work. For just a fraction of that price, you can give your kitchen a makeover with a fresh coat of paint!

Painting dull dated cabinets can fully transform the look, feel and function of your kitchen. But don't stop there! Consider other DIY-friendly updates like:

• New faucet and handles
• Trendy kitchen island lighting
• Sleek metal or stone hardware
• Glass tile or stone backsplash
• Refinishing floors

Even small details like updating pendant lights or modern window valances can take your new painted kitchen to the next level. With some creativity and elbow grease, you can give your kitchen a magazine-worthy makeover on a DIY budget.

Start planning your colors and designs today. With the proper prep work and painting techniques, you can easily transform your outdated oak or dated cabinets into a stunning showpiece space!