If you want to refresh your kitchen cabinets without spending all the time and money for a full paint transformation, try painting kitchen cabinet doors only. When you focus only on the doors, you can create a unique style that makes your kitchen pop. Here’s how to get pro-level results while keeping the process simple.
Choose Colors That Transform
You can change the vibe of your kitchen by choosing the right colors for painting your kitchen cabinets and doors only. Try something bold and go beyond the standard neutral colors. Explore all the options that showcase your style.
Warm Neutrals: Shades like beige, cream, or greige are cozy and create an inviting atmosphere.
Earthy Greens and Blues: If you are looking for a modern touch, these natural tones will give you and your guests a fresh feeling.
Rich Jewel Tones: Deep emerald, navy, or plum are great options for bold statements.
Here is where you can get creative. We recommend experimenting with smaller sections or areas but try using a matte finish on cabinets and a glossy finish on drawers. Or vice versa, see what appeals to you! Play around with this style of coloring and finish until you are pleased with the results and then paint the rest of the cabinets to match.
We use a lot of colors from Sherwin Williams, if you want to check out their options CLICK HERE
Start with Thorough Prep Work
Proper prep is key to getting your flawless finish when painting anything, especially cabinet doors.
Begin with removing the doors from the frames. Make sure to label each hinge in each door to make reinstallation easier. Clean the surfaces by using warm water and dish soap to remove grease, grime, and dirt.
Take the extra step of finding all surface imperfections and filling any holes, dents, or scratches. Use medium-grit sandpaper to create a surface that will allow the new paint to adhere. You may need to use a primer to cover any spots where work has been done.
While these extra steps can seem daunting, this is the difference between a pro finish and just getting paint on the cabinets.
Invest In Quality Paint and Tools
Cabinet doors are used so frequently that you want to make sure you use the right tools and materials for this project. Look for cabinet-grade paint as this will have superior durability and stain resistance. You should opt for a semi-gloss or satin finish in most cases. This is going to be the best balance between style and functionality.
High-density foam rollers and angled brushes are great choices for achieving a smooth, even application in both the flat areas and the more detailed sections of the cabinet doors. Self-leveling paint exists to eliminate brush strokes but with poor surface preparation, this could lead to poor finish quality. User beware.
Upgrade Hardware for a Fresh Look
With painting kitchen cabinet doors only, people often overlook the hardware. With a fresh coat of paint on the doors and a new handle, your cabinets can be the talk of the town all over again. Check online for the latest design trends or choose a timeless option depending on what you decide for the color of the kitchen cabinets. Brushed gold, stainless steel, or matte black are some recent favorites that come to mind.
Pro Tip: Take note of the other items around your kitchen. Look at your light fixtures, faucets, appliances etc. This way you can create a cohesive design.
Reassemble and Style Your Kitchen
Please give your freshly painted cabinet doors time to cure. Once they have, reattach the doors, reinstall the hardware, and step back to admire your work.
To maximize the visual appeal, keep the décor surrounding your new bold cabinets to a minimum. Simple, complementary items. Bold color dishes that match the new cabinet doors, plants, or if you have some DIY energy left maybe a matching backsplash. This can help complete the transformation and really make your hard work shine through.
Add Unique Details to Personalize
Want to spice things up in the style department? Personalize your cabinet doors by incorporating smaller details like painting the edges of your glass front cabinet doors in contrasting colors or adding decorative trim pieces for some texture. For open shelves, how about lining the back with patterned wallpaper or even painting them in a complementing color?
Lighting can take your painted cabinets to the next level. Nowadays there are so many options for LED strip lighting to go under cabinets or sit inside a special glass. These can create a beautiful ambiance and highlight your hard work.
Why Painting Kitchen Cabinet Doors Only Makes Sense
Painting kitchen cabinet doors only is easily the most cost-effective and transformative solution to getting your kitchen makeover. It’s perfect for DIYers wanting to refresh their kitchen without a major project. This should take no more than 3 days for any size kitchen and can be accomplished much sooner depending on how much you care about the finish quality. With the right preparation and forethought into color choice, you can quickly create a personal masterpiece you would be proud to show to friends or family.
Don’t want to do it alone? At Four Seasons Interior & Exterior Painting we like jobs big or small, we take them all! Even if it is just to get a quote for painting kitchen cabinet doors only, CLICK HERE to get in touch.
