Painted Kitchen Cabinets: A Comprehensive Guide to Livening Up Your Kitchen
Painting Kitchen Cabinets: A Cost-Effective Revamp
Painting your kitchen cabinets is a simple and cost-effective way to give your kitchen a fresh, updated look. It’s a great alternative to replacing your cabinets, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
Materials and Supplies for Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Whether you choose to paint your cabinets individually or use a kit, you’ll need the following materials:
- Oil-based or 100% acrylic paints
- TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) cleaning solution
- Buckets and sponges
- Sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Primer
- Putty and putty knife
- Roller frame and covers
- Electric oscillating sander (optional)
- High-quality paintbrushes
- High-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) paint sprayer (optional)
Choosing a Cabinet Painting Kit
Cabinet painting kits include most of the materials you need, but they can be expensive. One popular brand, Cabinet Transformations from Rustoleum, offers a four-step process for painting both wood and laminate cabinets.
Painting Kitchen Cabinets from Scratch
Painting cabinets individually gives you more flexibility and color choices. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Clean the cabinets thoroughly: Remove all items and wash the cabinets with TSP.
- Sand and prime the cabinets: Lightly sand the cabinets and apply a coat of primer.
- Apply the paint: Use a roller or brush to apply two coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely.
- Seal the paint (optional): Apply a clear sealant to protect the paint finish.
Painting Kitchen Cabinets with a Kit
Cabinet painting kits make the process easier, but they may not provide as many color options. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully:
- Degloss the cabinets: Apply a deglosser and wipe it off with a clean rag.
- Apply a bond coat: Roll or brush on a bond coat, which acts as a primer and color base.
- Apply the decorative glaze: Apply the decorative glaze, which provides the color.
- Apply a protective top coat: Apply a protective top coat to seal the finish.
Painted Kitchen Cabinet Ideas
Here are some inspiring ideas for painted kitchen cabinets:
- Earthy Olive Green: Add warmth and depth to your kitchen with earthy olive green cabinets.
- Forest Green: Create a bold and sophisticated statement with forest green cabinets.
- Two-Tone Cabinets: Combine two colors for a unique and eye-catching look.
- Pale Minty Green: Create a light and airy feel with pale mint green cabinets.
- Chalkboard Surprise: Add a touch of whimsy with chalkboard paint on the inside of cabinet doors.
- Neon Yellow Lower Cabinets: Infuse your kitchen with energy and cheer with neon yellow lower cabinets.
- Painted Open Cabinetry: Give open cabinets a fresh look with a coat of paint.
- Match the Cabinets to the Walls: Create a cohesive and timeless look by matching the cabinet color to the wall color.
- Historic Elegance: Embrace classic style with painted cabinets in traditional colors.
- Taupe Kitchen Cabinets: Add depth and warmth with taupe painted cabinets.
- Personality Change: Transform your kitchen’s personality with a new cabinet color.
- Contrasting Shades: Create a dynamic look by painting the upper and lower cabinets in different colors.
- Black Bottom Cabinets: Ground your kitchen with black painted lower cabinets.
- Immaculate White Cabinets + Multicolored Wallpaper: Create a dramatic contrast with white cabinets and bold wallpaper.
- Sky Blue Kitchen Cabinets: Add a touch of freshness with sky blue cabinets.
- Sage Green Cabinetry: Create a soothing and timeless atmosphere with sage green cabinets.
- Deep Teal Cabinets: Bring depth and punch to your kitchen with deep teal cabinets.
- Creamy White Cabinetry: Create a warm and inviting space with creamy white cabinets.
- Candy Pink Painted Cabinets: Add a touch of sweetness with candy pink painted cabinets.
- Navy Cabinets: Embrace a modern and timeless look with navy cabinets.
- Barely There Blue Cabinets: Add a subtle hint of color with barely there blue cabinets.
- Pearl Gray Painted Cabinetry: Create a sophisticated and minimalist look with pearl gray cabinets.
- Gray + White Kitchen Cabinets: Combine gray and white for a neutral and stylish look.
- Coastal Blue Kitchen Cabinets: Bring the coastal vibes into your kitchen with blue cabinets.
- From Dark to Light: Transform a dark kitchen into a bright and airy space with light-painted cabinets.
- All-Over Blue Cabinets: Create a tailored look with medium-toned blue cabinets.
- Greige Painted Cabinets: Add warmth and sophistication with greige painted cabinets.
- Blue + Cream Painted Cabinetry: Combine blue and cream for a retro-inspired look.
- Dove Gray Cabinets + Mustard Walls: Create a classic and inviting atmosphere with dove gray cabinets and mustard walls.
- Midnight Blue Kitchen Cabinets: Add depth and drama with midnight blue cabinets.
FAQs
- How long does it take to paint kitchen cabinets?
It takes around four to five days to properly paint kitchen cabinets.
- What is the downside to painting kitchen cabinets?
Painting can highlight existing damage to cabinets.
- Should you paint the inside of kitchen cabinet doors?
Yes, painting both sides of cabinet doors ensures a finished look.