Use Paint to Make Over Your Cherry Wood Cabinets Affordably
If your cherry wood kitchen cabinets are looking a bit dated but you don't have the budget for a full renovation, a fresh coat of paint can give them an updated, modern look for a fraction of the cost. Painting over your existing cabinetry allows you to change the color and style without ripping everything out. It's an affordable way to transform the heart of your home.
Painting cherry cabinets comes with some unique considerations compared to painting over more neutral woods. The distinctive reddish tone of cherry wood can affect how some paint colors appear. But with the right prep work, technique, and paint formulation, you can give your cherry wood cabinets a beautiful facelift.
Prep Your Cherry Cabinets Thoroughly Before Painting
Proper prep work is crucial for getting great results when painting over cherry cabinets. Here are the key steps:
- Clean the cabinet surfaces thoroughly with a degreaser to remove any grease, dirt or grime.
- Lightly sand to rough up the surface for better paint adhesion.
- Fill any holes, nicks or imperfections with wood filler and sand smooth.
- Remove doors, drawers and hardware to make painting easier.
- Wipe sanded surfaces with a tack cloth before priming.
- Apply a high-quality primer formulated for cabinets.
Rushing the prep work can cause the paint to chip, peel or not adhere properly. Taking the time to prep cherry wood cabinets correctly will ensure your painted makeover lasts.
Choose Cabinet-Grade Paint in Complementary Colors
For the best results on cherry cabinets, use a high-quality cabinet paint designed specifically for wood surfaces. Options include:
- Enamel paint - durable, glossy finish
- Acrylic alkyd paint - combines durability of alkyds with acrylics
- Polyurethane paint - resilient finish
Painting experts recommend primer, base coats and top coats from the same brand of paint for maximum adhesion and durability.
The undertones in cherry wood can affect the end result of your paint color. Cool green and blue paint colors often complement the warm reddish tones of cherry cabinets nicely. It's best to test samples of your preferred paint colors on the actual cabinet to see how the undertones interact with that specific cherry wood.
Hire a Professional for Best Results
While painting cabinets is technically a DIY-friendly project, hiring professionals yields longer-lasting results. Experts have the skills and tools to flawlessly prep, prime, paint and finish your cherry wood cabinets.
Professional cabinet painters use high-quality equipment like airless sprayers to achieve a smooth factory-like finish. They know techniques for properly building up paint layers and clear topcoats. This experience and expertise is worth the extra investment.
Maintain Your Painted Cherry Cabinets
Your freshly painted cherry cabinets will stay beautiful for years with proper maintenance. Gently clean painted cabinet surfaces with a soft microfiber cloth and mild soap and water. For deeper cleaning, use a degreasing cleaner formulated for cabinets. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
Use painters tape when installing hardware and fixtures to avoid chipping the paint. Watch for wear over time and touch up paint as needed. With care, your painted cherry wood cabinets can look freshly updated for over a decade.
Don't limit yourself to just white or black when choosing a paint color for your cherry cabinets. Soft blue, sage green, dove gray and even navy can all complement cherry wood beautifully depending on your overall kitchen design. Be bold with your cabinet color choice!
Beyond a fresh coat of paint, consider updating the cabinet hardware and lighting fixtures in your kitchen. New brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze knobs and handles along with pendant lights over a kitchen island can take your makeover to the next level.
Painting over cherry cabinets provides an affordable way to give your kitchen a mini makeover. With proper prep and paint selection, you can change the look of your cherry wood cabinetry without the expense of brand new custom cabinetry. Consider hiring professionals if you want a flawless, factory-quality painted finish that will last.