Why You Can Trust CNET How to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets the Right Way
Give your kitchen a fresh new look in 10 straightforward steps.
Yes, you can paint your kitchen cabinets yourself.
If your cabinets are looking drab, dingy or outdated, one of the best ways to give them a facelift is to add a fresh coat of paint. Painting your cabinets will absolutely transform the look of your kitchen, and it's far more budget-friendly than installing a new set altogether. As far as home improvements go, it's quite straightforward -- and you don't need to be a pro painter or carpenter to get it done.
That said, there is a best way to paint your kitchen cabinets, and if you want optimal results, we suggest not skipping any steps. Here I've outlined how to paint your kitchen cabinets and give the heart of the home a fresh look and a bit of razzle-dazzle. (You can also check out our tips on how to build DIY pipe shelves and how to make custom poster hangers for just $1.)
Is it expensive to paint your kitchen cabinets?
The good news is you can paint those cabinets yourself and do it for very little money. You'll only need paint, primer and a few additional small tools that shouldn't amount to more than $20. In fact, you could probably get the entire job done for under $50 when you add it all up, though the final cost will vary based on the type of paint you choose and how much surface area you need to cover.
Is painting your cabinets hard?
Painting your kitchen cabinets doesn't require any special skills, especially if you follow these simple steps. If you can work a screwdriver and wield a paintbrush or foam roller, you've got what it takes to pull this off. You will have to put in some labor and factor in some time for both the primer and paint to dry. Other than that, painting your kitchen cabinets is as easy as one, two, three.
OK, there are a few more steps than three, but you've totally got this.
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Step 1: Select a paint type and color
Acrylic latex paint is a popular choice since it's hearty and easy to wipe clean. Semi-gloss, gloss and satin finishes tend to show fewer smudges over time. Avoid matte, flat and super glossy finishes which are more difficult to clean.
Semi-gloss paint is a popular choice for kitchen cabinets.
You'll also want to buy and apply a binding primer to the cabinets before you paint, so pick some up while you're at the store.
Step 3: Strip cabinets if painted, or wash them if not
If the cabinets are already painted, you'll have to strip them. This is a tedious and labor-intensive step, so if you're on the fence about replacing or painting, knowing that this will add a good chunk of work might help you decide.
If they're not painted, simply wipe them down with an all-purpose cleaner such as TSP cleaner. Be sure to get them as clean as possible including any oil or grease stains as they can affect the final result.
Step 4: Remove all doors and hardware
Unscrew and remove all cabinet doors and pull out any drawers to set aside. You can empty the shelves if you want to but, unless you're painting the inside or wanting to give the area a good cleaning, you can get away with just removing items in the front so they don't get splattered with paint. Another option is to cover them with a small drop cloth.
Helpful tip: Keep all your hardware organized in a way that you'll know which cabinet it belongs to since some hinges and fixtures are specific to certain cabinets.
Carefully remove all doors, drawers and hardware using a manual screwdriver.
Step 5: Fill any holes
Use a wood filler and smoothing knife to fill any holes or big chips to get the smoothest possible surfaces to paint on. Don't worry about the inside of the cabinets as you likely won't be painting those panels.
Helpful tip: Be careful not to fill your screw holes or it will make attaching the hardware very difficult.
Step 6: Sand the surfaces
Using a sandpaper block, sand the varnish or laminate off the cabinet surfaces including the frames, doors and drawers. Sand along with the grain as much as possible. Remove as much of the finish as you can but be careful not to sand too hard or you'll damage the wood beneath.
Sand off as much of the finish as possible without damaging the wood beneath.
Step 7: Tape the edges
Use masking tape to protect any edges where you don't want paint. This includes the inside panels where it meets the frame and any walls that the cabinets butt up against.
Step 8: Prime the cabinet frames and doors
Using a small brush or mini foam roller, cover the surface area with primer, but don't lay it on too thick. It's fine if there's still some faint wood showing through from this thin layer of primer. Again, paint with the grain as much as possible.
These $6 painting tripods will make priming and painting the doors and drawers easier and less messy.
For the unattached doors, you can use painting tripods or lifters to elevate them so you're able to paint the sides easily and avoid a big paint mess. Give the doors a thin layer of primer just like the frames and paint with the grain.
Wait for the first side to fully dry before flipping them to paint the other side.
Step 9: Paint
In a similar manner to applying primer, paint each cabinet frame, door and drawer, going with the grain. Use smaller brushes to paint details, nooks and crannies or embellishments if the cabinets have them. A small foam roller is best for the broadsides since it'll give you the neatest and most uniform results. Plus, it's faster.
Use a foam roller for more even results.
Step 10: Let the paint dry and reattach the cabinets
You might be tempted to screw those beautiful new cabinet doors back into the frames as soon as things seem dry, but letting your paint fully dry will ensure you don't accidentally dent or smudge the surface. You can add a layer of polyurethane for added protection, but it shouldn't be necessary if you've chosen quality paint.
Once everything is dry, you'll simply reattach all the cabinet drawers and cabinet doors using the same matching hardware. Consider using a manual screwdriver to avoid unwanted stripping.
For more, check out which color you should paint your front door to raise the value of your house, and how to choose the right color paint for your home office.
