Our kitchens go through a lot. They are used more than many other rooms, with changing temperatures during cooking and pets and people constantly moving through. Over time, the surfaces in our kitchen start to look worn out, and it’s time to redecorate with some fresh kitchen paint.
Painting walls, floors, and countertops are obvious places to start, but there’s one surface in particular that people often overlook. Painting kitchen cupboards is not only a fantastic way to freshen up your kitchen, but also a simple job perfect for beginner painters.
Should I Paint Kitchen Cupboards?
Yes! Replacing your kitchen cupboards is expensive, and it’s natural to have grown attached to the ones you have already. Painting cupboard doors doesn’t take very long, but the results will look fantastic for years.
When you’ve moved into a new home, you might not be happy with the existing kitchen and can’t wait to make it suit your style. You may also have a new fitted kitchen but weren’t fully satisfied with the options available. Often these are very nice, but not ideal if you want to do something bolder with your home.
We’ll talk later about the best colour for kitchen cupboards, but if you’re tired of browns and greys, then painting your cupboard doors is the perfect way to express yourself.
Types of Kitchen Cupboard
But before you grab your paint roller, you need to know which type of kitchen cupboard you’re going to be painting.
Here are the most common materials your kitchen cabinets can be made of:
- Wood
- Metal
- Laminate
- Acrylic
Some of these can be broken down into further categories. Wood, for example, can be anything from MDF to solid hardwood, which all have slightly different properties. Thankfully, the paints we’ll recommend today are universal for that surface, although you should always check the manufacturer’s instructions before you commit.
These surfaces can also be coated in different ways. Wood can be varnished, or it may have a laminate coating that preserves the surface beneath. This is great, as it adds extra protection and makes the cupboard doors easier to clean. However, when it’s time to repaint them, it will take an extra few steps to prepare the surface properly.
Preserving Kitchen Cupboards
Painting your kitchen cupboards will make them look great, but that’s not the only reason to break out your paint brush.
A fresh layer or two of quality paint will protect the surface, no matter what material it’s made of. Your cupboard doors might not suffer the same wear and tear as kitchen counters, but they still get scratched, scuffed, and stained over the years.
Our premium paints preserve the surface, making them harder to mark and scratch. There’s nothing worse than an imperfection appearing on your freshly painted surface, so this added protection is always essential.
If you pair your paint with a primer, this protection only increases. Primer bonds to the exposed wood or metal, giving your paint a better surface to cling to; this makes colours bold, your sheen shinier, and ensures your cupboards will look better for longer.
It’s not just cupboard doors that can be painted either. The inside of cupboards and cabinets don’t need painting often, but if they’re worn out, you’ll ensure they won’t let the side down whenever you open them.
What is the Best Kitchen Cupboard Paint?
As we mentioned, the material you’ll be painting will be the main factor to consider when you buy your paint. If you try to paint a metal surface with a wood varnish, the finish will be streaky at best and will look worse than before you started.
Another thing you need to consider is where you’re painting. Your kitchen can become very humid when you cook, which affects your surfaces. If they aren’t painted, or the paint is wearing thin, mould and damp is more likely to form. Left unchecked, this is much worse than flaky paint; you should always ensure your painted surfaces can handle humidity.
Our acrylic satinwood paint is one of the best all-rounders for wooden surfaces. As it looks great on any wood surface, it’s the type of paint you buy in bulk so you can use it again and again all across your home. We always recommend you keep any leftover paint for exactly this – or for any corrections and future touch-ups your cupboards may need!
It’s a water-based paint such as acrylic gloss, making it much more resistant to humidity. This type of paint is also easier to apply than oil-based alternatives such as oil-based gloss, and has none of the strong smells or potentially harmful VOCs.
However, oil-based paints still have their uses, and might be the best kitchen paint for you. Although sometimes fiddly to apply, an oil-based paint or varnish is noticeably tougher than a water-based paint, meaning it will last for years longer.
If you prefer the glossy look for your cupboards, consider an oil-based paint. These have a naturally higher sheen, reflecting more light throughout the day. If your kitchen looks a little gloomy, a shinier surface can help brighten it up.
Some colours look better with a shiny finish too. Bright colours that you won’t find in most kitchen catalogues look fantastic – pinks, greens, even yellow and orange can be amazing choices.
Or you can keep it simple, with grey, blue, black, brown, and white cupboard paint.
How to Paint Kitchen Cupboards
Once you have the perfect paint, in the perfect colour and sheen, it’s time to start painting. As kitchen cupboards can be different materials, we don’t have a step-by-step guide this time. Don’t worry, we still have plenty of tips and tricks to help you.
The most important part of the painting process is, surprisingly, not the painting. Preparing the surface is crucial if you want the best finish possible.
First, you should clean your kitchen cupboards thoroughly. They may not look dirty, but layers of grease and grime will prevent your paint from sticking, both of which build up quickly even if you aren’t cooking every day.
If your cupboards have been painted previously, or have been treated with a varnish, you need to sand away the previous layers. This can be a lengthy process, but it’s one you shouldn’t skip. We recommend removing the cupboard doors to make it easier.
Once the surface is perfectly smooth and spotless, it’s time to paint. Remember to apply a layer of multi-purpose primer first if you want extra toughness.
As for the best tool for the job, a paint roller is normally all you need. A mini roller will help you apply the paint in even streaks. To be really thorough, use a narrow paint brush for the edges of your cupboards. Any parts you miss might not be visible but will wear out quickly!
Drying times will vary depending on the paint you’re using, and how many layers are needed. Check the tin for the recommended time to wait between coats.
The UK’s Most Trusted Paint Supplier
Your kitchen is the most important part of the home; it deserves to look its best! By giving your kitchen cabinets a fresh coat of paint, you can transform them in just a few hours.
We’re the no.1 choice for tradespeople, with large quantities of paint available at competitive prices, and we’re loved by domestic painters too!
Check out our blog for more information, advice and guides about all things painting. If you have any questions about any of our products, please get in touch.
We look forward to hearing from you.
