Revamping your kitchen cabinets can seem like a daunting task, yet it's surprisingly straightforward. If you're content with your kitchen's current design and your cabinets are in good shape, a new coat of paint can make a world of difference, without the expense of a full remodel.
You don't have to go for a radical change – a subtle shift in wood stain shades or deepening the hue can add warmth and character. Or, for a more dramatic effect, consider adopting a new colour palette. The trending kitchen colours for 2023, such as blush pink and sage green, can offer a fresh and modern look.
Essentials for Repainting Kitchen Cabinets:
- Either matte or semi-gloss paint
- A reliable primer
- Plastic sheets for surface protection (and tape for securing)
- TSP (Trisodium phosphate)
- Cleaning rags
- Tack cloth
- Various grits of sandpaper
- A paintbrush and roller
- A paint tray
- A screwdriver or drill for dismantling cabinet doors
Step 1: Selecting Your Paint
For kitchen cabinets, which require regular cleaning, semi-gloss paint is advisable. High-gloss paint tends to show every imperfection, so unless you're an expert painter, semi-gloss is a safer bet. Farrow and Ball's Modern Eggshell range is an excellent choice. For matte enthusiasts, especially in a country kitchen setting, the Country Living Matt Emulsion available at Homebase is perfect.
Step 2: Getting Ready
The key to a successful paint job is preparation. Empty your cabinets, and use plastic sheeting to cover counters and floors, safeguarding against paint drips. Clean the cabinet surfaces with a degreasing agent like TSP, focusing on areas around handles and under cabinet doors. This step ensures the paint adheres well.
Step 3: Sanding and Priming
Lightly sand your cabinets with either 220 or 400 grit sandpaper, tailored to your cabinet's finish. For grainy woods like oak, a coarser sandpaper is needed.
Post-sanding, take off the cabinet doors, lay them flat, and apply a primer, such as the Farrow & Ball Interior Wood Primer & Undercoat. After the primer dries, flip and prime the other side. Once fully dry, lightly sand to eliminate brush marks.
For an ultra-smooth finish, repeat the process with finer sandpaper. Then, clear any dust with a vacuum and a tack cloth.
Step 4: The Painting Process
Apply your paint with a high-quality brush or roller, ensuring a thin, even coat. Let the cabinets dry flat to prevent drips. Once dry, paint the reverse side. Applying multiple thin coats rather than a few thick ones is advisable for durability and a smoother finish.
Allow the painted doors to dry completely before reattaching them, ensuring no dust adheres to the fresh paint.
