Boost Your Kitchen's Style with DIY Painted Cabinets

If your kitchen is looking a bit outdated or drab, a fresh coat of paint on the cabinets can make a world of difference without the high cost of full replacement. Painting cabinets yourself is an affordable weekend project that can give a kitchen an entirely new look and feel.

With some diligent prep work, the right painting techniques, and a little inspiration, you can revive and boost your kitchen's style with DIY painted cabinets. From a simple neutral white to bold, vibrant shades, let's explore everything involved with this budget-friendly kitchen facelift.

Assessing Your Cabinets

Before breaking out the paint brushes, take time to thoroughly assess your existing cabinets. Check for any damage, warped surfaces, or functionality issues with doors and drawers. If repairs are needed, this is the time to patch holes, replace hinges, and make other fixes.

Check Condition

Give the cabinets a visual inspection inside and out. Are there areas of broken wood, missing pieces, holes, or peeled laminate that need patching and repair? Test all doors and drawers to make sure they open and close properly without catching. Also check drawer glides for smooth operation. Any necessary repairs should be made now before painting.

Evaluate Cleanliness

How much grease buildup and grime have the cabinets accumulated? Especially for older kitchens, layered-on residue could impede paint adhesion. Degrease thoroughly and use abrasive scrub pads if needed to reveal the bare wood. The cleaner the surfaces before priming, the better.

Prepping Cabinets for Painting

With repairs made and a thorough cleaning complete, now the real transformation work begins! The upfront effort of proper prep work translates to a smoother painting process and longer-lasting finish.

Remove Doors, Drawers & Hardware

Removing cabinet fixtures may feel slightly daunting, but take it slow. Label each door and drawer for easy reinstallation in the original location. Keep all hardware pieces grouped together in labeled bags. Fill any holes left from previous hardware attachments using wood filler for a seamless look after painting.

Thoroughly Clean Surfaces

Remember that degreaser from earlier? Return to those grimy corners for a second round of intense scrubbing using cleaning solutions formulated to cut through kitchen grease. This removes not only surface dirt but also oils that could prevent proper paint adhesion. Rinse cabinets completely afterward and allow to fully dry.

Sand Glossy Areas

For a painted finish to properly adhere, the surface needs some minor roughness or "tooth." Lightly sand any glossy or laminate cabinet areas using 220+ grit sandpaper. This effectively deglosses the shiny coating. Wear proper eye, respiratory, and skin protection while sanding. Thoroughly wipe cabinets with a dry cloth when finished.

Apply Primer Coat

Quality primer designed for painting cabinets helps the new color go on smooth and consistent. Oil-based primers work especially well to seal and build an adhesion layer on laminates and wood surfaces. Allow your primer coat to fully dry overnight before painting.

DIY Cabinet Painting Techniques

With meticulous prep work done, now comes the fun part of actually seeing your bright, fresh painted cabinets come to life! Depending on your comfort level, choose from brushing, rolling, or spraying to apply the color.

Brush Painting

For many DIYers, brush painting allows for plenty of control in applying cabinet paint. Angle-sash brushes best fit inside corners of cabinet frames. Maintain a wet edge as you work in sections for smooth, seamless coverage. Synthetic-bristle brushes resist shedding and leave less brushstroke texture.

Rolling Cabinet Paint

Paint rollers speed up application over large flat cabinet door and drawer fronts. Foam or microfiber mini rollers work best. Prepare surrounding area for potential drips with drop cloths. Roll top to bottom while applying light, even pressure for ideal consistency.

Paint Sprayers

Airless paint sprayers allow applying cabinet color with professional-grade efficiency. After proper masking and drop cloths set up, spray in horizontal strokes using light, even motions. While fast to apply, paint overspray drifts easily. Maintaining control takes practice.

Top Cabinet Paint Selections

From selecting paint sheens to types formulated specifically for kitchen cabinet use, explore options for achieving a durable, quality finish.

Oil-Based Cabinet Paint

Known for hardness and high sheen, oil-based enamels stand up well to cleaning chemicals, grease, and moisture. With a longer dry time and strong odor, ventilation is a must. Be prepared for visible brushstrokes in the high-gloss finish.

Latex Cabinet Paint

Water-based latex paints provide easier cleanup with less odor or toxicity. Shorter dry times allow applying multiple coats quickly. However, latex finishes remain more susceptible to chipping and require more maintenance. Use 100% acrylic formulas for best durability.

Paint Sheens

Eggshell or satin sheens resist yellowing and stains while hiding imperfections. Semi-gloss offers the highest durability and easiest washing, while high-gloss boasts a liquid-smooth look. Evaluate traffic levels, lighting, and desired aesthetic when selecting finishes.

Inspiring Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Putting a creative spin on your revamped kitchen, let the following trending cabinet color ideas spark inspiration for your own style.

Crisp White

A fresh coat of white paint refreshes cabinets elegantly. As a light, neutral backdrop, painted white also makes small kitchens appear larger. However, visible fingerprints mean surfaces require frequent wiping.

Light and Dark Grays

Styled up or subdued down, today's gorgeous gray palette offers middle-ground between black and white. Gray cabinets feel soothingly neutral while still making an updated, slightly edgy statement over golden oak or aging laminates.

Navy Blue

From nautical to modern chic, navy instantly shifts the vibe toward contemporary. Deeper than classic blue, navy plays well with stainless steel accents. Keep walls and counters light to prevent overpowering the space.

Black

Dramatically grounding, deep black painted cabinets make quite the daring statement. Contrasting white countertops helps keep the look clean instead of cave-like. Open floorplans suit black's bold step toward the dark side.

Caring for Newly Painted Cabinets

Pat yourself on the back for majorly overhauling your kitchen with virtually no heavy lifting! Now that the paint work is done, maintaining that fresh finish involves implementing a few care tips.

Curing Time

Oil-based paints take up to 2 weeks to fully cure, while latex dries within days. Either way, allow paint ample drying time before stressing surfaces after the final coat. Consult specific product labels to confirm cure times before reloading cabinets.

Cleaning

Gentle cleaners like diluted dish soap remove grease and dirt without damaging freshly painted finishes. Avoid abrasive pads or scrubbing for the first few months. Over time, semi-gloss and gloss sheens resist staining best.

Touch-ups

Save extra paint for future nick and scratch repairs. When needed, use painter's tape for clean touch-up lines, feathering edges smooth. Prep and paint repair patches just as you prepped and painted originally for seamless results.

With a crash course now under your belt for DIY kitchen cabinet painting techniques, let your confidence grow to tackle revitalizing dingy cabinets yourself. Aside from minor elbow grease, you stand to save big bucks compared to professional painters or installers.

Just remember that patience with thorough prep work leads to longer-lasting finishes. And don't let the fun color options overwhelm you; even simple white paint refreshes decades-old cabinets. Finally, avoid common beginner mistakes like insufficient cleaning or attempting shortcut drying times. Follow product guidelines for best results.