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How to Makeover Melamine Cabinets Without Replacing Them

If your kitchen is still sporting melamine cabinets from the 1980s or 1990s, you've probably noticed some chipping, yellowing, and overall wear-and-tear over the years. While beautiful new wood or modern laminate cabinets might be appealing, a full kitchen remodel requires a major investment. Luckily, with some simple cleaning, sanding, paint, and new hardware, you can give those dated melamine cabinets a refreshed new look for a fraction of the cost.

These affordable makeovers allow you to update the style and color of your existing melamine cabinets without taking on a large remodeling project. With a little elbow grease and creativity, you can transform your kitchen into a brighter, more modern space.

melamine kitchen cabinets makeover

Supplies You'll Need for a Melamine Makeover

Make sure you have these supplies on hand before starting your cabinet makeover project:

Step 1: Clean Cabinets Thoroughly

Before painting or making any other updates, it's critical to clean melamine cabinet surfaces thoroughly. Start by removing all doors, drawers, and shelves from the cabinets. Wash cabinet frames, doors, shelves, and hardware using a mild detergent mixed with warm water. For especially greasy areas like around the stove, use a degreaser like TSP.

Remove any old, cracked caulk and re-caulk if needed for a fresh seal. Pay special attention to cleaning the inside of cabinet boxes and drawers, which often collect dust and grime over time. Let all surfaces dry fully before moving onto sanding.

Step 2: Lightly Sand Cabinets

Though melamine has a smooth, hard finish, light sanding helps prep the surface for painting. Using 220 grit sandpaper, gently scuff up any areas prone to chipping or damage, like cabinet edges and around knobs. This allows paint to adhere better, without removing the melamine's color or texture.

Be careful not to over-sand, or you may expose the wood below the melamine. A quick scuff and you're ready for priming. Clean sanded surfaces fully before priming.

Step 3: Apply Bonding Primer

For the most durable finish, an oil-based bonding primer is recommended before painting melamine cabinets. Oil-based primers seal surfaces and help the paint better adhere to slick surfaces like melamine or laminate. Use an angled sash brush to apply primer evenly across all cabinet surfaces. Allow to dry fully, then do a light final sanding before you begin painting.

Step 4: Paint Cabinets

The key to a smooth, flawless finish is using high-quality acrylic latex paint designed specifically for painting cabinets, woodwork, and furniture. Work in a dust-free area with plenty of ventilation. Apply at least two coats of paint for complete coverage, allowing proper drying time between coats according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Use an angled sash brush for painting cabinet frames and surfaces. A roller can be used to quickly cover flat cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Take your time and don’t rush the painting process. The end result will be worth it.

Step 5: Update the Hardware

Once your melamine cabinets are freshly painted, replacing the old dated hardware with modern handles, knobs, and pulls gives your kitchen a brand new look. Remove existing hardware using a screwdriver, clean thoroughly, then take measurements for replacements. Look for hardware styles that complement your new cabinet color.

Install new hardware using a screwdriver, drilling pilot holes if needed. Add touches like soft-close hinges and drawer glides for a more updated feel.

Additional Updates to Consider

Beyond a fresh coat of paint and new hardware, small upgrades and fixes around your existing melamine cabinets can make a big visual impact:

Finishing Touches

Once your melamine cabinet makeover is complete, allow the paint to cure fully before reinstalling doors, drawers, and hardware. Touch up paint as needed, caulk any gaps, and admire your refreshed, updated kitchen cabinets!

Maintaining Your Melamine Makeover

To keep your painted melamine cabinets looking fresh, use gentle cleaners like dish soap and water rather than harsh chemicals. Immediately wipe up any spills, grease, or water to prevent stains and damage. Avoid abrasive scrubbers or cleaners which can scuff the paint over time. With proper care and occasional touch-ups as needed, your updated cabinets will look beautiful for years.

Benefits of a DIY Melamine Makeover

Giving your melamine cabinets a makeover allows you to refresh the look of your kitchen at a fraction of the cost of a full remodel involving replacing all the cabinets. Doing it yourself means working at your own pace, and gives you creative freedom to customize your kitchen’s new style.

While melamine will never mimic real wood, with some clever paint techniques you can come close to achieving a similar look. If your existing cabinet boxes and layout are structurally sound, a makeover is a great way to extend their life at little cost.

When It's Time for Full Cabinet Replacement

While a makeover can buy you extra years out of melamine cabinets, there are times when full replacement makes more sense:

With some simple cleaning, sanding, paint, and new hardware, it's amazing how quickly those outdated melamine cabinets can get a fresh new look. Additional small upgrades fully customize your new kitchen vision while working affordably within your existing cabinet boxes.

While melamine may never have the beauty of real wood, you can come remarkably close through clever painting techniques. Just remember to properly care for your makeover through gentle cleaning methods. With a little bit of skill and effort, you can save thousands of dollars by revitalizing your existing melamine kitchen cabinets.