9 Steps to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
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When we first moved into our 1980s builder grade fixer-upper, knew that we wanted to eventually do a full renovation of our kitchen.
But with all of the other higher priority projects we had to focus on (like our master bathroom renovation and basement mold remediation) we decided to do a quick refresh of our kitchen to tie us over in the meantime.
The first step of our budget kitchen refresh was painting our kitchen cabinets! Painting your kitchen cabinets is a low cost way to transform your kitchen space.
In today’s blog post, we’re chatting about 9 steps to DIY paint your kitchen cabinets.
FAQs About Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Can you paint my kitchen cabinets yourself?
Absolutely! Painting your kitchen cabinets yourself can be a great idea for many reasons!
It's a cost-effective way to give your kitchen a fresh, new look without spending a lot of money. It's also a great way to customize your cabinets to perfectly match the style of your kitchen.
Plus, it can be a fun and rewarding DIY project, and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you did it all yourself!
How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?
Painting your kitchen cabinets yourself can be a great way to save money, depending on the materials you use.
Generally, the cost of paint and materials can range from $200 to $775, depending on the size and condition of the cabinet and the type of paint you choose.
To get an accurate estimate, you want to think about the number of cabinets that need to be painted and the type of paint you plan to use. When it comes to paint, you get what you pay for—the most expensive types of paint are those that are high-quality, long-lasting, and offer superior coverage. The least expensive types of paint are typically those that are lower-quality, have a shorter lifespan, and may require more coats to achieve the desired finish (meaning you will likely need to buy more paint).
You might also need to purchase other materials such as sandpaper, primer, and protective sealer to complete the job.
How long does it take to paint kitchen cabinets?
As with most DIY home projects, painting kitchen cabinets will take some time and patience to complete. If you want your cabinets to have a professional finish, you need to put in the time to complete each step
Depending on the size of you kitchen and complexity of painting project, plan for it to take around 4-5 days to complete painting kitchen cabinets. Our kitchen was a work-zone for about two weeks because our schedules prevented us from working on the project as much as we hoped!
What type of paint should I use to paint kitchen cabinets?
Acrylic-latex paint is the best option for most kitchen cabinet painting projects because it dries quickly and tends to be pretty durable.
When it comes to paint finish, satin is my personal favorite. If you like a little more shine, semi-gloss paint works great as well. Both are easy to clean and will provide a durable finish that can hold up for years.
Avoid using a flat or eggshell paint because they don’t wash as easily—it would be awful to spend a bunch of time painting your kitchen cabinets to accidentally scrub the paint off the next time you deep clean your kitchen.
Can you get rid of the wood grain on painted cabinets?
To get rid of wood grain when painting your cabinets, you'll want to grab a quality wood filler and spread a thinned layer along your cabinet to fill the grooves in the wood grain.
Before applying your wood filler, clean and sand your cabinets to help increase the bond of the wood filler material.
Next, you’ll want to apply the wood filler using a 3-5 inch scraper knife and evenly smooth it out over the wood grain on your cabinets.
Once the wood filler dries, sand the cabinet with fine-grit sandpaper or orbital sander to create a smooth surface. Then use a damp cloth to remove any dust and debris from the surface prior to priming,
You might find that you need to repeat this process again until the wood grain is smoothed out, but once you’re happy with the texture of your cabinets, move on to step 6 below!
We used a similar process to makeover a slab door on a budget!
How to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
You'll need a few supplies to paint your kitchen cabinets:
Degreaser
Sandpaper
Orbital sander or sanding block
All surface primer (our favorite is the Zinsser 1-2-3 Bullseye Primer)
Cabinet Paint
Paint Brush/Foam Roller
Drop Cloths
Step 2: Prep Your Space
It is important to protect any surfaces that you don't want to get paint on.
Before starting to paint, I recommend covering the surfaces with drop cloths and using painter's tape to protect any trim, moldings, and hardware. This will help ensure that no paint gets on surfaces that you don't want to paint. If you do happen to get some paint somewhere it’s not supposed to be, always have a damp cloth on hand to wipe it up right away.
Step 3: Remove doors, shelves, and drawers
Removing doors, shelves, and drawers before painting kitchen cabinets is really important step to get a professional looking finish. Nothing shouts “landlord special” more than cabinet hardware covered in paint.
Removing these things will also make them easier to paint, which allows you to get a more even and consistent final product.
Step 4: Clean, clean, clean
If you're looking to give your kitchen cabinets a fresh coat of paint, the first step is to give them a thorough cleaning.
Start by wiping down the surfaces with a damp cloth and some mild dish soap. Once the surface is dry, use a degreaser or a mix of warm water and vinegar to remove any grease or grime that has built up over time.
If there are any stubborn spots, use a scrub brush to give them a good scrubbing. Once you've finished cleaning and drying the cabinets, it's time to start sanding!
Step 5: Sand Your Cabinets
If you follow us on TikTok or Instagram, you’ll know that Charlotte really hates sanding… BUT we’re not about to skip it if it’s a project we want to last for as long as possible.
Sanding cabinets before painting them is important for a few different reasons.
First, it helps create a smooth surface for the new paint to adhere to, resulting in a better and longer lasting finish.
Sanding also helps remove any existing paint that may be flaking off, as well as dirt, grease and other debris that may be on the surface of the cabinets.
Finally, sanding can help to create a more uniform look between the old and new paint so that the cabinets look more polished and professional when finished.
You will want to start with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as a 120- or 150-grit. This will help to smooth out the surface, removing any existing paint and stain.
Once you have sanded the cabinets, you can use a finer-grit sandpaper, such as a 220-grit, to further smooth out the surface before you begin painting.
Be sure to use a damp cloth to wipe away any dust created by the sanding process before you begin painting.
Step 6: Prime
The first time I ever flipped a piece of furniture was in high school, and the only thing I used to update a bookshelf was a can of spray paint… and it was a chipping mess after only a few months because I skipped one of the most important steps—primer.
Priming before painting acts as a barrier between the underlying surface and the new paint, ensuring even coverage and a longer-lasting finish. Primer also seals any imperfections in the wood, prevents bleed-through of the wood's natural color, and helps the paint better adhere to the surface, making it less likely to chip or scratch.
To prime your kitchen cabinets:
Apply a primer to the cabinets with a brush or roller, working from the top to the bottom.
Allow the primer to dry completely before giving it a light sanding and applying a second coat
Once the primer has dried, give it another light sanding and move on to the next step!
Step 7: Caulking
Caulking makes a paint job look more polished and professional because it seals any unsightly cracks or gaps that might be visible after painting. You’ll likely find little gaps between cabinet base units, on the cabinet door faces, and between the cabinet base and the wall.
To caulk your kitchen cabinets:
Begin by cleaning the surface of the cabinet. Use a damp cloth and lightly scrub the area to ensure it is free of dust and grime.
Apply painter’s tape around the edge of the cabinet to ensure a clean line of caulk.
Use a caulk gun to apply the caulk in a straight line. Make sure to keep the nozzle at a 45-degree angle.
Smooth the caulk with a damp cloth, and then remove the painter’s tape.
Let the caulk dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions prior to painting
Step 8: Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets!
The number one rule to achieve a smooth finish when painting? Apply thin coats using a high-quality paint roller or brush.
Allow each coat to dry before applying the next one. Applying a second coat of paint sooner than the manufacturer recommends can seriously wreck your paint job.
You will generally need 2-3 coats of a high quality paint for a full, smooth coverage. After the final coat has dried, use fine sandpaper to lightly buff away any brush strokes or blemishes. Finally, finish with a coat of clear sealer to protect the paint from scuffs and damage.
The key is to take your time and focus on the details.
Step 9: Put everything back together
Congratulations on finishing your painting project! Putting the cabinets back together is the last step and, even though it always takes me 4 times longer than I think it will, it's a great feeling to finally complete the job.
Be careful that you don’t accidentally scratch your new paint job during the reinstallation of doors, drawers, and shelves! To make sure you get the best results, start by making sure all the parts fit together correctly and make sure the screws are tightened securely.
Final Thoughts
You now have all of the information you need to transform your kitchen with a new cabinet paint job! We hope you found this post helpful in freshening up your kitchen.
Be sure to tag us in your photos on Instagram if you do the cabinet paint job, we'd love to see it 😍
Thanks again for reading, and best of luck on your kitchen project!