How to paint kitchen cabinets in four easy steps for an ‘unbeatable finish’

Nov 17, 2023

There's no doubt that renovating a kitchen often feels like a daunting, let alone expensive, task. For one thing, it can be difficult to know where to start. Rather than agonising over new, pricey appliances, look to the fixtures you already have. Painting kitchen cabinets is often all it takes to transform a cooking space into a room to be proud of. For some easy steps on painting kitchen cabinets, Frenchic Paint's brand ambassador Craig Phillips has revealed all.

He said: "The kitchen is often the heart of a home, where people come together to work, study, dine and celebrate with friends and family. It's often the highest priority for renovation because it's the space everyone gravitates towards – it should feel genuinely welcoming and uplifting.

"High-quality chalk paint gives cupboards and cabinets a facelift on a wallet-friendly budget. It completely transforms drab-looking interiors, so here's how to prepare your surfaces and the best methods for an unbeatable finish in three easy steps."

While the expert argued that painting cabinets are "quicker, simpler and more cost-effective" than replacing them, households should first check the condition beforehand because some may be beyond saving.

Craig said: "If cupboards are functional and structurally sound, but just a little worse for wear, all you need is a fresh lick of paint. To avoid the faff of filling old holes and drilling new ones for replacement handles, you can even revamp your existing handles."

READ MORE: Kitchen expert shares ‘cheap-looking’ paint colours to ‘avoid’

Kitchen cabinets get mucky, so start with a thorough cleaning. The painting expert said: "It's best to remove cupboard doors before taking off hinges and handles."

Give the doors a good scrub with sugar soap which is an excellent degreaser. This way even unseen grease will be removed.

Next, rinse away the soap with clean water and a lint-free cloth. Allow surfaces to dry completely.

Once surfaces are clean and completely dry, the next task is to hand sand them to scrape off the surface, especially if the surface is smooth and glossy.

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This is "essential" for the paint to adhere efficiently. After doing so, be sure to wipe away any dust with a damp cloth, then dry.

While most typically suggest using a primer before applying paint, Craig noted that households can remove this step if they are using self-priming paint.

As oil-based or latex mixtures tend to be "smelly and require faffy priming", the expert said that the "best paint for kitchen cabinets and cupboards" is chalk paint.

Craig explained: "Besides its low odour and minimal VOCs, chalk paint requires only simple preparation and is easy to apply.

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"This makes it an excellent choice for DIYers with any level of experience they have."

As well as using the best type of paint using a good quality paint brush and some smaller rollers will help to achieve "the best finish".

The painting expert said: "Follow the instructions on the tin for drying times between coats and pay attention to the recommended rate of coverage.

"Take extra care of the surface at first, after three weeks, surfaces are highly resistant to scrapes, knocks and stains."

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Start by using a brush to get into any nooks or hard-to-reach areas to ensure even and thorough coverage of paint.

Move on to a short nap roller to cover the remaining surfaces of the cupboards and drawers with paint.

Households should allow at least five to seven days to build up the paint in thin layers, lightly sanding back and wiping away the dust between coats.

For those going for a very solid finish, expect to apply at least two coats of colour.