How to Update Your Kitchen Using Only Paint

If you’re a DIY weekend warrior, there are many simple ways to spruce up your kitchen on a budget and without a huge time investment. One of them only involves a fresh coat of paint – on your cabinets.  

Perhaps you have older cabinets that are functional but look a bit dated and worn.  If replacing them is not in the budget, you can give them new life by refinishing or painting them. Finish the project off with new, stylish hardware, and your kitchen will look refreshed and ready for a dinner party.

Plus, sprucing up your kitchen can make the entire home feel more appealing, especially if you are thinking of selling. Buyers pay close attention to the kitchen, and many feel it’s one of the most important rooms in the house.

If you’re ready for a refresh, it’s time to decide on a color and head to that home improvement store for some paint advice. Here is how to tackle your DIY kitchen refresh, step-by-step:

• Wood, wood-laminate, and metal cabinets usually can be repainted without difficulty. If the cabinets are plastic laminate, ask your paint dealer for advice and test a sample of the paint in a hidden area of the cabinet to ensure it bonds to the material.
  
  
• White is a great option and makes your kitchen look modern and bright.
  
  
• The best applicator may depend on the type of paint or finish you choose. Ask your paint dealer questions!
  
  
• Start by removing all the doors and hardware. Label and bag up everything you removed so that you will know exactly where it goes. Using a marker, write a number on the top of each door, then map out your kitchen on a piece of paper, matching the numbers to the appropriate cabinet location.
  
  
• If you are going to replace the cabinets’ hardware, the holes from your old fixtures will probably not match what the new ones will need. Smooth spackling compound into these holes before you sand.
  
  
• Be sure to sand all the surfaces of the cabinet doors and the framework of the cabinets. Then use a damp rag and wipe down all surfaces to get rid of the dust.
• Cover countertops and your floor to protect them from drips.
  
  
• Start with a primer so the finish surface will be smooth. Begin with the front of each door and make certain there are no drips underneath or on the sides. Let dry. Then do the back the same way.
  
  
• Lightly re-sand all the tiny bumps off of the doors to further smooth out your painting surface.
  
  
• The framework of the cabinets should also be primed, allowed to dry, and lightly sanded.
  
  
• Now it’s time to paint! Begin with the inside of each door and let dry completely. Paint the front sides of the doors in the same manner. Next, paint the framework.
  
  
• Remember that allowing enough dry time is important to achieving smooth results. You will be spending a portion of the weekend watching paint dry – but it will be worth it!
  
  
• Once everything is totally dry, it’s time to install sleek new hardware or simply clean up your old hardware and reinstall it.
  
  
• Finally, rehang all doors and replace the drawers.

Your entire kitchen can be refreshed when you make your cabinets look new with a fresh coat of paint. This project takes time - perhaps a whole weekend depending on kitchen size and dry time - but don’t try to rush through it or you will impact the smooth, beautiful end results.

Are you a DIY, weekend warrior? Check out our home care section for tips and how-tos.