In many older homes, it’s typical for the kitchen to feel a bit dark and stuffy. Older kitchens often have darker color schemes, or wood paneling everywhere that makes them feel enclosed. Or perhaps the kitchen paint job has simply begun to fade, making your kitchen feel blah and lifeless. Neither of these would make a person want to cook.
So it might be tempting to hire Westchester kitchen cabinet painters to update the look of your kitchen – and that’s certainly an option. A fully renovated kitchen will add significantly to your home’s value and would also be a great selling point if you put it on the market.
That said, if all you want is a new look, all you really need is a new coat of paint. That’s a DIY project that almost anyone can do, especially if they have any prior painting experience. This could be a fun project that doesn’t cost much and leaves you with a much nicer kitchen.
A Quick Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Painting
1. Choose your colors
Right now, popular kitchen color schemes are typically bright and cheery. Bright colors like yellow or white help open up the kitchen and make it feel bigger than it really is. The effect is particularly noticeable in smaller kitchens with limited floor space. Some people do prefer a dark “urban modernist” look, but you need a large kitchen with stainless steel equipment to really pull that off.
Whatever colors you choose, you should decide on that first and foremost. Get plenty of samples from your local paint store before committing.
2. Make your purchases
Now it’s time to buy everything you need. The paint is your primary concern, and we strongly advise you not to go cheap. Buy the best paint you can afford – it will last longer and look nicer. For painting kitchen cabinets, we suggest a latex-based paint with a semi-glossy finish. These are easier to clean, and don’t show dirt and dust as easily as other paints.
You’ll also need plenty of primer paint, rollers and paintbrushes. Generally, one large and one small of each should be enough. Plus, don’t forget to buy a big disposable drop cloth which you can use to protect the floor and other surfaces from paint drips.
In addition, you’ll be taking apart your cabinets, so make sure you have the necessary tools to remove the wood from the metal hardware.
Finally, you’ll need to clean the surfaces beforehand, so be sure you’re stocked on cleaning products. You’ll also most likely be removing the previous paint, so you’ll need abrasives to get it off.
3. Prep the area
As mentioned above, you’ll need to disassemble any cabinets and other surfaces you’ll be painting. You don’t want paint getting into the metal bits!
Another question is whether you need to sand off the wood’s finish. Basically, give it a feel. If it’s matte and feels a little absorbent, you can probably paint directly onto it. If the surface feels like plastic, you’ll need to sand off the finish before it can be repainted.
Otherwise, remove everything you can which isn’t going to be painted. Decorations, small appliances, etc, should be relocated, if possible, to keep them safe. Otherwise, cover them with cloth or a tarp for protection.
4. Priming and painting
Anything you’re going to paint should get a coat of primer first. This helps cover up any stains, gouges, etc, your cabinets may have picked up over the years. The primer also helps your paint stick to the surface. One coat is plenty, as long as you are thorough. Make sure the primer gets into every little crack and surface.
Once the primer is tacky but not 100% dry, it’s time to start painting. Most of this should be done with the small roller, with the brushes only used for detailed work and small surfaces. Rollers and brushes leave a slightly different texture, so don’t go back-and-forth unless you have to.
If you’re planning on painting both the interior and exterior of cabinet doors and such, this must be done in two phases. Start with the interior-facing surfaces, then let that dry completely for a few days before painting the other side.
Finally, once everything is painted and dried, you’ll of course need to reassemble it all. Again, be sure to wait at least three days to give the paint time to dry.
Get Kitchen Cabinet Painting & Much More
Or, if this all sounds like too much work, C.E.T. Painting can help! We’re Westchester’s kitchen renovation pros, and we can do jobs of any size. From a basic re-painting to full kitchen updates, we’re here to create the kitchen of your dreams!
To learn more, just contact us to discuss your plans and