7 Things You May Not Know About Painting Kitchen Cabinets 

Ready to make a makeover in your kitchen without the price and effort of replacing everything? When done correctly, a fresh coat of paint on kitchen cabinets may totally transform the look of your kitchen on a shoestring price. 

Here are some things you should know: 

1.The best material is wood 

Any type of wood will work for painting cabinets. “Unfinished, painted, and stained wood, as well as MDF, compressed/faux wood, all work nicely,” says painter Albert Ridge in How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: 5 Tips from a Master Painter.  

However, painting is somewhat forgiving: “In fact, any material that can be scuffed up with sandpaper and painted on is feasible.” This explains why laminates aren’t a viable option—you can paint them, but it won’t endure. It’s important to remember that stained wood and glossy finishes must first be de-glossed.

2.You must tag each cabinet panel.

The semihandmade kitchen renovation was inspired by an Ikea update.  

When removing cabinet doors from hinges and drawers from slots, you’ll need to create a system for remembering where everything goes. Draw a little schematic and mark each piece so you can easily return them to their proper positions once they’re dry. 

You’ll also need tape: use painter’s tape to carefully cover hinges, fasteners, and edges, and rosin paper or brown builder’s paper to cover counters. The more thorough the prep, like with any paint job, the better the result.

3.Now is the time to do a thorough cleaning

No, you cannot store food in your cabinets while they are being painted. But don’t worry: this is also an excellent moment to arrange what you have. Remove everything, lay it out , and remove any objects that are no longer in use.  

You’ll also need to carefully clean your cabinets, inside and outside, with a grease-cutting cleaner to remove any residue or spills that have accumulated over time. If feasible, keep groceries in a separate room throughout the painting process, and then return them, freshly arranged, after your cabinets are done and totally dry.

4.Make use of the tough stuff.

For cabinets, avoid matte and eggshell finishes in favor of semigloss, gloss, or satin—durable, easy-to-clean finishes. “You want a surface that is robust and wipeable, so you won’t have to paint for at least a few years,” painter Albert Ridge adds.

5.What is the magic number? 2 to 2.5.

  Forget the roller: instead, use a 2 to 2.5 inch fine bristle brush to get into tight corners and details on painted cabinets. If you have to use a roller, look for a compact one that will fit easily on smaller surfaces, then go over with a brush to remove roller marks and get into any small places.

6.You can’t go wrong with white for a clean, bright aesthetic.

Gustave Carlson, an interior designer located in Berkeley, California, advises: 

“I prefer my cabinets to match the color of the room.” White provides a calm backdrop for the activity in the room” (and brings light in as well). Considering a fresh coat of white paint?

7.Are the cabinets glass-fronted or open? Make sure to paint the inside as well.

The benefit of glass-fronted cabinets and open shelves is that you can show off what’s within. But keep in mind that this exposes the interiors of your cabinet compartments as well. These will require a delicate layer of paint—or, for added interest, use a contrasting color for the inside.