How to paint your kitchen cabinets- it’s very easy to get a fantastic result!
Over the years, I have painted several kitchens that I have owned- mostly, it was born out of necessity, because I couldn’t afford new cabinets. Sometimes, I have done it because I just fancied a different colour. It’s definitely worth giving it a go. I promise you will feel as though you have a brand new kitchen.
Here’s a step-by-step painting guide to get a fabulous finish.
Green Kitchen (above) by Chantell Mapp Pope. Painted in a mix of Frenchic Al Fresco Constance Moss and Frenchic Al Fresco Blackjack. A new worktop was added
Black Kitchen (above) by @Anna.Lees_ Painted with Frenchic Al Fresco Blackjack. The original units were grey gloss units
Beige Kitchen (above) by @bricks.and.ivory Painted with Frenchic Al Fresco Cool Beans. A new worktop was added
Green kitchen (above) by @itsjustahouse Painted with a mix of Frenchic City Slicker and Frenchic Wise Old Sage
Pink and Black kitchen (above) by Kristine Struthers. Painted with a Frenchic Al Fresco Blackjack and Frenchic Al Fresco Dusky Blush
Should I Buy New Cabinets Or Paint My Old Ones?
Check the condition of the cabinets, before you begin.
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 filling old holes and drilling new ones for replacement handles, you can even revamp your existing handles.
If you have laminate cabinets that are starting to peel, you can take off the top layer with a hairdryer and a scraper. It should come off easily. Then you will need to use a few layers of Frenchic Finishing Coat Apply with a sponge. Leave to dry as per the instructions on the can. You will then be ready to paint. You will only need to repair the cabinet doors that have started to peel and not all of them before you begin painting.
What Is The Best Paint To Use On Cabinets?
There are several different Frenchic ranges that can be used for the kitchen cabinets. If you are after a matte finish, you could try the Frenchic Al Fresco range of the Frenchic Lazy Range. Alternatively, if you are looking for a soft subtle sheen, then try the Frenchic Trim Paint (comes in 150 colours).
Besides its low odour and minimal VOCs, the water based paint requires only simple preparation and is easy to apply. No prior experience is needed.
Do I Need To Prime Cabinets Before Painting?
No primer is needed if you’re using self-priming paint, including Frenchic’s Lazy Range, Al Fresco and Trim Paint collections – which are all suitable for kitchen cupboards.
How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets In 4 Easy Steps
1. Clean
2. Lightly sand with fine sandpaper
3. Apply paint
Before starting, you need:
1. Clean
Start off with a really good clean of the kitchen cabinets. Give the doors a good scrub with Sugar Soap, which is an excellent degreaser – so even unseen grease is removed.
Next, rinse away the soap with clean water and a lint-free cloth. Allow surfaces to dry completely.
2. Lightly Sand
Once surfaces are clean and completely dry, hand sand them to abrade the surface, especially if the surface is smooth and glossy. It will help the paint adhere efficiently. After doing so, be sure to wipe away any dust with a damp cloth, then dry.
3. Apply Paint
Now the preparation is over, it's time to paint. For the best finish, use a Frenchic paintbrush. A small foam roller would work well too and you could use a small brush for the edges.
Work with the grain of the wood, hold the brush around 45 degrees, and use long strokes with light pressure.
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.
4. Finishing Touches
If you want to refresh your existing cupboard handles, you could try mixing Frenchic Finishing Coat with a small amount of Frenshimmer or Frensheen. It mixes easily and you can give your hardware alift. Equally, if you would like to buy new handles, here are a few links to places you can buy really great handles.
Where can I buy new handles?
@Pushkahome or Pushkahome.com
How long does it take for the paint to cure?
Be careful with the cabinets for a couple of weeks in terms of use. It takes up to 3 weeks for the paint to fully 'cure' or harden
How do I clean my newly painted cabinets?
Your usual kitchen detergent will be fine to clean the kitchen cabinets