Painting Kitchen Cabinets

New kitchen cabinets can be expensive, so can you paint kitchen cabinets to update the space on a budget? Yes – one of the quickest and easiest ways to transform a kitchen is to repaint the cabinets. Below, we cover everything you need to know about painting kitchen cabinets, from what you’ll need to a handy step-by-step guide detailing how to paint kitchen units.

What you’ll need

Ensure you have these essential tools and equipment to hand before you start painting kitchen cupboards:

• Dust sheets

• Paint rollers and brushes in various sizes

• Primer

• Masking tape

• Filler

• Sandpaper

• Surface cleaners, like sugar soap or wipes

• Kitchen paint in your chosen shade and finish

The best paint for kitchen cupboards

Satinwood or eggshell paint are among the top choices for kitchen cupboards, thanks to their durability and soft sheen finish. Dulux Trade Quick Dry Satinwood is an excellent choice for kitchen cupboards, as the water-based satin finish formulation is hardwearing and dirt-resistant. Plus, it doesn’t require an undercoat unless you’re making a significant colour change, like painting dark cabinets in a light shade. In that case, we’d recommend priming the surface with Dulux Trade Quick Dry Undercoat.

We stock kitchen cabinet paint from professional-standard brands like Dulux Trade and Armstead Trade in various shades and finishes. Alternatively, explore the range of Dulux Heritage paints – perfect for adding a luxurious touch to any kitchen, with over 112 colours to choose from.

How to paint kitchen cupboards

Follow these steps to get the best results on your kitchen cabinets:

1. Prep the area. Put down dust sheets to protect the floors and worktops.

2. Remove cabinet hardware. This includes hinges and handles, or you can cover them with masking tape. It will make painting easier and minimise cleanup.

3. Clean the cabinets. Wash the cabinets and doors with sugar soap to remove any grease or dirt, which inevitably builds up on kitchen surfaces. Alternatively, you can use wipes.

4. Fill any cracks or dents. This will give your paintwork a smooth finish and help make the cabinets look like new.

5. Apply a suitable primer. Most kitchen cabinets are made from wood or melamine, so choose the right primer for the material. This step is essential if your cabinets are painted in a dark colour or have a textured finish, which could show through the paint.

6. Apply the first coat of paint. Take your time cutting in and apply an even coat to achieve a consistent finish across the cabinet and doors. Use a brush to cut in around the edges, then a small roller on larger surface areas.

7. Lightly sand, then apply a second coat. Once the first coat has dried, use a fine sandpaper to go over the paint, removing any lumps.

8. Reinstall the doors and hardware. When the second coat is dry, you can remove the masking tape and put the cabinet doors and handles back on.

Spray painting kitchen cabinets

If you’re looking for a faster way to paint your kitchen cabinets, spray painting is an excellent option. Explore our guide to learn more about the benefits of spray painting, including the best spray machines to use for different jobs.

Can you paint gloss kitchen cabinets?

You can paint gloss kitchen cabinets as long as you follow the correct preparation steps. You’ll need to sand and prime the surface before painting to ensure optimal paint adhesion and a long-lasting finish. We recommend Zinsser B-I-N to prime gloss kitchen cabinets, as it’s designed for high-shine surfaces.

Kitchen cabinet painting ideas

If you’re wondering what the best colours for kitchen cabinets are, consider how you want the space to feel – modern, traditional, timeless or unique? You could paint the cabinets in a contrasting shade to the walls, or vice versa, to make them stand out. Alternatively, for a seamless look, paint the cabinets and walls in the same shade and introduce pops of colour with accessories instead. Check out our kitchen makeover guide for more kitchen cabinet colour inspiration.