HOW TO PAINT KITCHEN CABINETS
Thanks toĀ BEHR for providing me with all my paint needs for this fantastic project.
Today I am sharing some tips on how to paint kitchen cabinets!
If you guys thinking about painting your kitchen cabinets, you have come to the right place as I will share all the tips and tricks we learned in our painting process so you don’t have to make the same mistakes that we did. Last week I revealed our dreamy two-toned kitchen (the process wasn’t that dreamy lol), you can check out the full post on the link below if you missed it or if you are new around here.
KITCHEN REVAMP – TWO-TONED MODERN KITCHEN
We moved into our home nearly ten years ago, and when we moved in, we had the old builder’s grade oak kitchen cabinets. They were okay, but they for sure were not my style. We lived with that kitchen for a few years then we remodeled out space with the Ā IKEA Adel kitchen line.
Here is the photo of our initial remodel seven years ago.
We loved our new kitchen, but over time my style has changed, and I wanted white cabinets. Like I was crazy for white cabinets. I begged the hubby to repaint the cabinets and tile the floor. And he was game!
We decided on two-toned cabinets, and this is what my dream kitchenĀ looks like today!
Guys! It’s amazing what a little paint can do, isn’t it?
(backsplash and cabinets are the same, but they were painted)
It is the SAME exact kitchen! WOW!
Okay! So let’s move on to the step-by-step painting process, and I’ll show you how to paint kitchen cabinets!
Becuase we tiled our kitchen floor, we had to remove ALL cabinets.
***If you are ONLY painting your doors, YOU DON’T NEED TO REMOVE YOUR CABINETS, only your doors!***
We decided to spray painting our cabinets because I was aiming for a super flat surface. You can do all the steps below and use a high-density roll if you are not spraying.
Step 1:
TAKE OFF ALL YOUR DOORS
Remove all handles and knobs and store them in a ziplock back, so you don’t loose them.
Number the doors if you like, to help with an easier process while you are putting your doors back after you painted them.
Step 2.
CLEAN YOUR CABINETS!
ThisĀ step is super important! All the grease and dirt must have to be removed! Use a strong kitchen cleaner. I would recommend using gloves.
Step 3.
SAND YOUR SURFACE
Sand the doors. We used anĀ electric sander to fasten the process. We used 240 grit sandpaper.Ā
You just want to roughenĀ the surface enough for the primer to stick.
Step 4.
CLEAN OFF THE loose DIRT
After sanding the surface be sure to wipe off all the loose dirt off your surface. I also wiped the surface one last time with alcoholĀ ( you can buy it at the dollar store) as it removes ALL greasy spots, and I wanted to make sure my surface is clean, dirt free, smooth and ready to be primered.
Step 5.
TAPE OFF GLASS DOORS ( if you have any)
We had one glass door that we taped off using painters tape.
Step 6
PRIME TIME!
This step is SUPER important, guys! We learned our lesson. I read lots before we started the painting process and I read it on many sites that we need to use OIL BASED primer to primerĀ the surface.
And we didn’t at first!
My hubby said not to use an oil-based primer, just use a regularĀ primer, and we had to realize that the paint won’t stick if you don’t prime your surface with OIL BASED primer! So be sure you do!
We used Kilz oil-based primer that dries in an hour.
Step 7.
PAINT ON!
After the primer is dry, start your painting process. As I mentioned earlier, we decided to spray paint to achieve the flattest and smoothest finished look.
Get one of this paint project respirator a start on!
For spray painting the doors we used Husky Spray Gun Kit. It was fairly easy to use, but the trick to it was to clean the guns properly after we were don with the job.
For my project, I used BEHR paint. I love using BEHR products – as I did for all my walls in my house and for this impressive pegboard STUDY wall that I built.
For my two-toned modern kitchen I used the following colors:
UPPER WHITE CABINETS: ULTRA PURE WHITEĀ
FINISH: SATIN
LOWER DARK CABINETS: NIGHT CLUB
FINISH: SATIN
Our garage was full of cabinets and items that were removed from the kitchen due to tiling, so we transported ALL cabinet doors to our warehouse where we had a huge space to spray paint them.
Spraying the cabinet doors was fast. We had a large heater in the space (as it was super cold outside) so the paint dried fast.
We left the heat on for the night, and next day we repeated the process for the other side of the doors.
Then we transported everything back to our house, and we installed our cabinets, doors, and hardware.
I can’t tell you what an immense difference there is when you walk into this kitchen compare what it was before. Just unbelievable and we are utterly smitten with the final look. Click HERE to see more!
PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!
Have a question? Leave a comment – I will answer anyting I missed!
Have fun with your project!:-)
Shop the look!
Breakfast nook:
Kitchen:
Cheers,
Aniko
Thanks toĀ BEHR for providing me with all my paint needs for this fantastic project.
Hi, I am from Latvia, and my dream kitchen almost go true. I found your kitchen in Pinterest, and I felt in love with it. When you realized, that cabinets will be dark, wasn’t it a little bit scared, that room will be dark? I have to choose – white or dark grey/white U shaped kitchen š
Your cabinets are beautiful! I just wanted to clarify, did you use oil paint over the oil primer? I assume so, but wasnāt sure. Thanks!
Julie- I used oil primer and water-based paint on top. Hope this helps!:-)
Hi ANIKO, I have same cabinets but the colour was already faded. May I ask if you used a latex or epoxy primer paint? I want to repaint it..
hello! can you tell me where you got your sink from??
Hi I was wondering what color you painted your bottom cabinets?! They are beautiful.
Hi – I was wondering what color you painted your walls? Love your kitchen! Thanks!
Jordan, it’s BEHR Ultra White! š
I have the same cabinets and would like to do this. How hard was it to remove the cabinets? I’m not super handy. Also how long did the project take? TIA
Hi there, thank you for sharing such an awesome project! Do you knoe if I will be able to paint most of the Ikea cabinet door styles like this? For example the Grimslov doors. Thank you very much!
How did you paint the parts of your cabinets that you could not remove, like the trim along the top and bottom as well as the sides the outer facing sides?
Dana, we removed those pieces as well. The sides of the cabinets were a screwed on IKEA panels and they were removable. And the top and bottom also were removable. It’s just how the IKEA kitchen made.:-) I hope this helps.
Were the cabinets from IKEA? Am asking because am getting ready to paint my IKEA Sektion cabinets and i want to make sure it can be done before i start the process.
Yes, they are from IKEA!!!:-))
Where did you get the open shelves?
Local Lamber place. It was around $150 for the two pieces.
How did you apply the Kilz before spraying? Nice finished product. Thank you.
I sprayed the KILZ also! š
I have the exact same cabinets and would love to paint them. Did you have to take all of the panels off too? And the trim under/over and in between the cabinets or did you just paint them on the wall? THanks!
We only took the doors off. I did not bother painting the frame as it is not visible at all – only!:) when I open the doors and it’s fine that is not white actually. But we did take off the trim under/over. We spray painted everything so they had to come off. But I am happy to report that It’s been great. The paint holds perfectly and I am still head to toe in love with my kitchen. Good luck. Let me know if you have any other questions!:-)
I was wondering the same thing as comment above . Did you seal them with anything and how are they holding up .
I did not seal them at all and they are holding up great. It’s been almost 1.5 years since I had the kitchen cabinets painted and I can’t complain. But I also chose a dark color for the bottom cabinets so they aren’t showing that much on the surface.
Because you used an oil based primer did you have to use oil paint as well? I have these exact ikea cabinets in a house I just purchased and want to paint them An off white
Hi, gorgeous work! What color are your walls, UPW like the cabs or a softer white? It’s hard to tell and I’m doing a very similar project at the moment so I’d love to know! Thanks!
Hi Aniko, what a transformation!! We are moving next month and the cabinets in our next house are in desperate need of paint š
I’m wondering if you used a topcoat? I’m concerned about the durability, especially around the hardware. I’m wondering how yours are holding up. Thanks!
Love this! Thanks for sharing! How are the cabinets holding up? My fear is constantly having to repaint them bc they get worn. Also, did you seal them with any clear topcoat? And finally, what method/paint did you use to paint the backsplash?
Iām desperately trying to find a backsplash tile like this! I have the off white ikea cabinets and am struggling so much with backsplash. I love this and would buy it immediately! You said World Mosaic Tile but I still cannot find it. Is there a color or dealer you got it from?
Hey There! The backsplash was purchased at The HOme Depot many years ago but they have similiar styles (Malibu Breeze 9-3/4 in. x 11-7/8 in. x 8 mm Glass Mosaic Tile). Mine was beige and brown color and I painted it with white paint when we upgraded our kitchen. Good luck! š
Hi I am moving into a new house and am not crazy about the current backsplash – can you tell me what you used to paint yours . My email is [email protected] . Thanks
You did a wonderful job and great step-by-step guide. It would be useful to many DIY fans.
Love it Aniko. I love painting my furniture with BEHR paints. Have you ever tried the alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel? Its such a durable paint especially with my family. I have the old oak cabinets, which were old when we put them in. Long story!! I really want to paint them (and knock out a wall HE HE!). Maybe in the new year. Thanks for the tutorial. Amy
Thanks so much for the helpful tips!
Your kitchen is GORGEOUS and exactly what I’ve been dreaming of.
My current backsplash and cabinets are almost identical to your “befores.” My hubby and I have discussed painting them. You’ve just confirmed that this is a very good idea!
I’ll be watching for your post about painting the backsplash!