How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

What to Consider When Deciding to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

Before we delve into the best way to paint kitchen cabinets, there are a few factors to consider.

The Cost of Painting Cabinets

While painting kitchen cabinets is a cost-effective choice—and much cheaper than hiring painters or remodeling—it still requires some initial investment. You’ll need to buy the right paint and supplies to get a professional look. You may also want to purchase new hardware and even trim.

Aesthetics and the “Look” You Want

Before painting kitchen cabinets, you need to make a plan. First, consider the look you'd like. White cabinets are a popular option that will really open up the space. Dark grey is another popular color. If you’re ready to break out from neutral cabinetry, the sky’s the limit. Just keep in mind the other colors in your kitchen, appliances, countertops, and flooring.

Time to Paint

Many people assume they can paint their kitchen cabinets in a weekend. While it's possible under the right conditions, you'll need to set aside plenty of time for the project. Keep in mind that it takes much longer to DIY than to hire professional painters. It may also take several days between coats and drying time, during which your kitchen will be out of commission.

Cabinet Condition

Finally, before you paint your kitchen cabinets, you’ll need to take a careful, honest look at their current condition. Are they damaged or rotting? Are you happy with the configuration (and just want to update the color)?

Painting over existing kitchen cabinets will give your kitchen a facelift, but you’ll want to start with high-quality materials to make it worth the time and effort.

What Tools Do I Need to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

If you’ve assessed all the factors above and decided that painting your kitchen cabinets is your best plan of action, you’ll need to gather your supplies to paint. To paint kitchen cabinets, you’ll need the following items:

• Interior Paint
• Primer
• Paint brushes and small rollers
• Paint trays
• Drop cloths
• Painter’s tape
• Screwdriver
• Rags
• Cleaning spray
• A step ladder
• Sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• New cabinet pulls

To paint kitchen cabinets with a professional look, you'll need a few tools to make the process smoother. It's essential to have high-quality brushes. A two-inch wide tapered synthetic brush is typically best for cutting and working around cabinets with latex paint.

For the best coverage, you will likely need to use a primer to cover your kitchen cabinets first. Primer helps paint stay in place, and it is especially important for high-contact areas like the kitchen. Depending on their finish, you may also need to sand and clean the cabinets.

What's the best paint for your kitchen cabinets? It depends on your desired finish (glossy, matte, etc.), budget, and the current finish on the cabinets you want to cover. The best way to choose the correct paint is to talk to a paint specialist at your local Do It Best. As a rule, the highest quality paint will offer the best, smoothest results.

Step 1: Set Up the Kitchen

As with most DIY projects, it’s best to start with a clean, organized space before you start painting your kitchen cabinets. Move everything out of the kitchen so you can have plenty of room to work. The easiest way to paint cabinets is to remove the doors and paint them in the garage or outside.

You’ll want to cover your kitchen counters and the surrounding walls to protect against paint spills and drips. Be sure to use painter’s tape to create a barrier between the cabinets and the wall, backsplash, and ceiling.

Gather all your tools and materials before you begin your painting project. Be sure to wear coveralls, a smock, or older clothing that you don’t mind getting paint on. If you plan to sand any areas, you’ll also want to wear goggles and protective gear.

While do-it-yourself projects can be fun and fulfilling, there is always a potential for personal injury or property damage. We strongly suggest that any project beyond your abilities be left to licensed professionals such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Any action you take upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk, and we assume no responsibility or liability for the contents of this article.