Can You Paint Kitchen Cupboards?

Painting kitchen cupboards is an easy and cost-effective way to update the space. From soft grey Scandi style cabinets, to the season’s trendiest deep inky shades, creating your ideal look is simple.

Reviewers love this Dulux cupboard paint’s advanced water-based formula that dries quickly. Additionally, its easy cleanup makes this an attractive choice when compared with oil-based alternatives that require thinners for removal.

Table of Contents

Colour

As much as most people consider their countertops when selecting cabinet colors, the backsplash should actually take precedence due to being within visual reach and easily revealing cooking stains or any other messiness that occurs within.

Many homeowners opt for light cabinet paint colors as they create an open atmosphere and complement counters and appliances effectively. But darker hues like emerald green, cranberry red, and navy blue can create striking effects in larger rooms that make an impactful statement.

Grey is another popular shade because of its versatile neutral nature; it pairs beautifully with many other hues and can even look fantastic when combined with warm wood tones or metallic hardware. Keep in mind, however, that darker cabinet paint colors have higher LRVs and may require multiple coats to cover properly; just remember this when planning your DIY project; don’t let this stop you from opting for bolder hues if that’s what speaks to you!

Preparation

If you want a quality paint job, proper preparation will be key. Doing this will allow for easier adhesion as well as protect surfaces from moisture or other environmental elements.

First, clean the surfaces of the cabinetry using degreaser or water and a damp cloth, to eliminate grease or oils that could prevent the new paint from adhering properly. Next, sand any necessary cabinets using 220-grit sandpaper (wear a dust mask when doing this step).

After wiping down the cabinets with soapy water to remove any residual sanding dust, determine which type of paint you will use – latex, enamel or acrylic. For ease of clean-up and reduced odor when selecting latex latex options.

Before beginning painting, ensure your work area is free from obstructions. Lay down a sheet of plastic on the floor or set up a sawhorse as protection. Remove all cabinet doors and drawer fronts individually before labeling each one with tape for future reference.

Primer

Investing in high quality primer for painting your kitchen cupboards is absolutely necessary, since it acts like the glue that holds paint to surfaces and helps hide surface stains while toning down dark colors. When choosing between cheaper options or investing in quality, primer should always come out on top!

Before applying a primer to cabinets, scuff sand them lightly before wiping down with a damp cloth to remove dust and grease build-up. Now is also an opportune time to fill any small dents or scratches with vinyl spackle, smoothing over with a putty knife before sanding again later on.

Once your cabinet primer has dried, you can begin painting. Be sure to frog tape around tiles and worktops so as not to get paint onto them, leaving plenty of time between coat applications for drying time before using your cabinets again. Allow them to fully cure before making them available again for use.

Paint

An affordable kitchen makeover starts with new paint; choosing the appropriate shade for your cabinets is key to its success.

Good quality paint features a hard finish that resists stains and chipping, can be scrubbed easily, and can withstand heat. Aim for cabinet paint which has been thoroughly tested in real kitchen environments so as to withstand daily wear and tear.

There are various paint options, including latex (which clean up easily with water) and acrylic or alkyd paints, which provide greater durability with high levels of opacity – meaning no visible brush marks! They dry quickly with minimal volatile organic compound emissions – however alkyds require proper ventilation when being cleaned properly.