Are you looking for some DIY projects around the house while sheltering in place? Does your kitchen need a refresh? One of the most budget-friendly ways to give your kitchen an update, is painting the cabinets! We’ve put together a 9 STEP PROCESS to guide you through your painting project! This process is recommended for existing wood cabinets only.

After completing my DIY kitchen refresh, I received several questions about the process, so I put together a “How-To” to take away some guesswork for you! I learned some things the hard way, and wanted to share what I’ve found works best!

For home design, I appreciate cozy; modern, yet slightly traditional; and budget friendly solutions. I enjoy light uplifting tones, pops of color, and minimal clutter.  I decided to brighten the space by painting the existing dark cherry cabinets a light warm-grey color, Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies. This color provided a slight contrast to the warm-white wall color, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee.

I selected crackle-finish Spanish hand-made subway tile by Walker Zanger for the backsplash. The crackle tiles are imperfect with undulations on the surfaces and edges, which adds a lot of character! The Laticrete Light Pewter grout closely matched the new cabinet paint color. I kept the existing hardware, quartz countertops, appliances, and fixtures for the time-being; although changing these items can provide an even more updated look.

To add a pop of color, I displayed an oil painting of Venice, Italy. I painted this from a photo I captured during a study abroad experience, and it brings back many fond memories. What elements can you bring into your space that cultivate great vibes, joy, and warm memories? If you’re ready to get started painting cabinets, here’s the process I used below! —

1. ASK YOURSELF QUESTIONS

We spend a lot of time in our kitchens, so our kitchens should be a reflection of ourselves, our personal styles, lifestyles, and inspirations.

When planning your kitchen refresh, ask yourself…

• “What colors and environments inspire me, uplift me, and revive me? How can I incorporate these elements into the kitchen?”

• “What is the time investment?” This project took me approximately 4 weekends, and will vary depending upon the size of your kitchen.

For budget purposes…

• “What elements in my kitchen am I willing to keep for the time-being? What color will coordinate with the elements that will remain?” Consider existing wall color, hardware finish, flooring, appliances, sink, fixtures, etc.

• “Will this color also coordinate with future updates I have planned for this space?” Consider backsplash, wall color, hardware finish, flooring, appliances, sink, fixtures, specialty lighting, and any others you have in mind!

1. SELECT PAINT COLOR AND SHEEN

When selecting the paint color for your cabinets, consider the tone and contrast with the existing wall color. Is the existing wall color warm-toned (yellow tint) or cool-toned (blue tint)? Select a color that complements the warmth or coolness of your existing wall color.

Consider how the cabinet color will contrast with the wall. Do you want a stark contrast so that the cabinets pop, or do you want the cabinets to subtly blend with the wall? Do you want to create a focal point with a contrasting kitchen island color? These are great questions to ask yourself when selecting a paint color! Remember, there is no “right or wrong,” and it should just be a reflection of your style!

For cabinet sheen, I recommend a satin or semi-gloss sheen. Either of these sheens will provide the durability needed for high-traffic or high-use areas. Satin is a bit softer and less reflective than semi-gloss, and satin is what I chose.

2. SET UP WORKSTATION

I recommend setting up a workspace in your garage or somewhere with access to natural air flow; this should minimize any concentration of fumes, decrease drying time, and maintain some order within your home as this can get messy! 

To save your floor, place a drop cloth down. To save your back, place two sawhorses across from each other and bridge them with two 2x4s. Space the 2x4s apart from each other a distance equal to your cabinet height dimension. If you do not have sawhorses on-hand, use two tables and any boards you can find around the house. Make sure these items are secure and sturdy enough to hold the weight of multiple cabinet doors. Beware these items will get paint on them, so be sure your workstation tools are suitable for this.

3. CLEAN

Using TSP (pictured) mixed with warm water (see manufacturer’s instructions), take a sponge and wipe down all cabinet surfaces. This will rid cabinets of any grease and grime, control dust from sanding, and prep the surface.

4. LABEL & DISASSEMBLE

Keep parts organized. Before disassembling the cabinet doors and drawers, use painters’ tape to label each door and drawer facing and its corresponding cabinet with designated numbers.

Drawer facings may not always have screws in the exact same alignment as another. That’s why labeling is so important for reinstalling them with their original corresponding drawers. I learned this the hard way, and want to save you some time!

Using a Phillips-head screwdriver remove doors and drawers. Place all hardware in Ziploc bags. Set doors and hardware aside.

5. SAND & CLEAN

Take a sponge block sander and rough up the surfaces on the doors, drawer facings, and base and upper cabinets. Use work gloves to save your hands. A medium grit paper should be fine. You may use an electric sander if you choose. Sand enough to knock off the surface sheen.

After sanding, using the sponge and TSP solution, wipe down all surfaces. Again, this will help primer to adhere to the surface in the next step.

6. PRIME

The tools and techniques will make all the difference. I used Zinsser Cover Stain Oil-Based Primer. Use painters tape to keep wall and floor surfaces adjacent to cabinets void of paint. Prime the base and upper cabinets using a 4” wide roller brush for “very smooth surfaces.”

Next, place cabinet doors face down on the 2x4s. Using a Wooster Pro angled brush, prime within the crevices. Next, take the 4” wide roller brush for “very smooth surfaces,” and finish priming the back surface. Do not paint the sides of the doors yet. While the primer is still wet, take your detail brush and make one stroke top to bottom, and continue these strokes along the width of the cabinet door. ONLY PAINT IN ONE DIRECTION. DO NOT PAINT BACKWARDS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, AS THIS WILL CAUSE A STREAKED LOOK. Let this dry for a minimum of 8 hours.

Flip cabinet doors over and prime door fronts using the same method. Prime sides of cabinet doors in this step. Priming sides in this step allows any excess paint to puddle on the backside of the door, rather than on the front. While primer is still wet, use a sponge to wipe any excess dripping from the underside edges. Keep an eye on this periodically.

7. SAND & CLEAN

Once primer has dried overnight, sand the primed surfaces, front and back. Sanding minimizes the appearance of brush strokes and creates a much smoother-looking finished product. Don’t sand too aggressively as you may remove the primer. Clean dust off with the sponge and TSP solution for adhesion purposes.

8. PAINT

Finally, we have made it to the fun part! Paint using the same method used for priming in step #6. After the first coat has completely dried, paint the second and final coat. Let paint dry overnight.

9. REASSEMBLE

Now you are ready to install the doors, drawer facings, and hardware! All done, and congratulations on your new kitchen!

We hope this step-by-step process helps you tackle your next DIY project. We would love to see your kitchen transformation, so take a photo and share with us or tag us on Instagram @revolutionaryarchitecture! If you would like to request a kitchen design consultation, please contact us! We look forward to hearing from you!