Painting Kitchen Cabinets

As a handyman, I often get asked about the most cost-effective ways to update a kitchen or bathroom. One option that I always suggest is painting the cabinets. Not only can this save a significant amount of money compared to replacing the cabinets altogether, but it also has a number of other benefits.

Recently, I received a request from a couple to paint their kitchen cabinets. These cabinets were made of oak and were in excellent condition, having been installed in a home built in the mid-‘2000s. The homeowners wanted to give their kitchen a fresh, updated look, and decided to paint the cabinets rather than replace them. Here is the process I followed to complete the project…

First and foremost, painting cabinets is a much cheaper option than replacing them. New cabinets can be extremely expensive, especially if you opt for higher-quality materials or custom designs. On the other hand, a few cans of paint and some elbow grease can completely transform your existing cabinets at a fraction of the cost.

In addition to saving money, painting your cabinets also allows you to completely customize the look of your kitchen or bathroom. If you’re tired of the current color or style of your cabinets, a fresh coat of paint can give them a whole new look. This can be especially helpful if you’re trying to match your cabinets to a new backsplash or countertop.

One thing to keep in mind when painting cabinets is the importance of proper preparation. This includes setting up a paint booth to avoid getting paint everywhere, having a clean place to work, and masking off the cabinet carcasses to protect them from overspray. When painting I always use some form of a make-shift paint booth if on-site. A paint booth can be as simple as setting up some plastic sheeting to create a room inside a room. Using box fans with a 1x20x20 furnace filter. One brings air in, and one brings air out of the “bubble”, this setup works a treat to deal with paint particles in the air that may escape into the house and on your work. As for masking the carcasses, this can be done with painter’s tape, painter’s plastic, and masking paper. 

It’s important to take the time to properly prepare your cabinets before painting to ensure a clean and professional finish. This includes cleaning all surfaces paint will adhere to with mild soap to stop the effect of “fisheye”, filling any wood grain with a water downed version of joint compound, and filling in large gaps created by knots (If there are any) with Bondo filler, caulking if needed, and then sanding to create a smooth finish. There is a lot of work that goes into painting cabinets correctly.

Overall, painting cabinets is a great way to save money and customize the look of your kitchen or bathroom. With proper preparation and a little bit of patience, you can achieve professional-looking results without breaking the bank. So if you’re considering updating your cabinets, don’t forget to consider the cost-effective option of painting them.