The Best Colors for Kitchen Cabinet Painting in San Diego and How to Prepare Your Cabinets for a New Paint Job

Cabinet painting is a great way to refresh your kitchen cabinets without making any hefty architectural changes.

But you don’t just want to repaint your cabinets in the same colors they were sporting before—you should try out some other colors instead.

That being said, don’t just slap on any color you find; go for colors that are popular choices for cabinet painting in San Diego. And when we say popular, we mean colors that are trending in 2024.

Let’s take a look at colors that are very popular for cabinet painting in 2024 and what you need to do to prepare for cabinet painting in San Diego.

Did you know that white and gray are out?

According to a survey by Houzz, 40% of homeowners choose white paint for their kitchen cabinets. However, they have fallen in popularity over the years as people are going for bolder color choices.

Of course, just because they’re going out of style, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use whites and grays for your cabinets in 2024. White paint, in particular, has a few benefits that make it a good choice for kitchen cabinets. For instance, white paint reflects light and makes your kitchen appear bigger than it is.

In addition, since many modern homeowners go for minimalist styles, white-painted kitchen cabinets may be more valuable to prospective buyers, if you plan on putting your home on the market.

Either way, try to save those white and gray paints for other parts of your home, like the walls, and go for more eye-catching hues for your kitchen cabinets.

1. Blues and Greens

Blues and greens are in vogue this year and they’re a stark contrast from simple white kitchen paint. Moody greens and blues are great choices if you’re going for a luxurious and sophisticated look for your kitchen, without looking too opulent.

These deep colors can give your kitchen more depth and also add a hint of elegance.

Deep navy blue and forest green are two great colors for most kitchen cabinets.

2. Matte Black

Black is a classic color that exudes elegance and luxury. It’s a great color that most people associate with luxury and elegance, especially when complemented with a lighter color.

Matte black doesn’t have a shiny finish like regular black paint does and this makes it a good choice if you want a luxurious finish that isn’t too bold.

While it’s not used commonly in cabinet painting, it’s becoming more popular in 2024. Paired with metallic accents and kitchen fittings, matte black can make your kitchen cabinets look sleek and stunning.

Also, in contrast to white paint, black paint can make your kitchen look smaller. This could be useful if you feel your kitchen looks too wide.

3. Statement Neutrals

Even though whites and grays aren’t too popular nowadays, neutrals are still in fashion—namely, statement neutrals.

These hues include soft greige, warm taupe, and creamy beige. These colors are very versatile and can give way for other kitchen elements, such as countertops, to shine.

Also, not unlike white paint, neutral paint colors can give the illusion of space in your kitchen by reflecting light.

The subtlety of these kinds of paint colors can create a cozy ambiance and maintain harmony with your kitchen’s other elements.

4. Two-Toned Cabinets

This cabinet painting style was popular back in 2023, and it’s still a hit this year. The two-toned cabinet painting style involves painting upper and lower cabinets in two different colors or two different shades of the same color.

What makes this painting style so great is that you can mix and match all kinds of paint colors to give your kitchen a unique look.

For example, you can combine light and dark colors, like navy blue and gray or brown and black. These color combinations can give your kitchen more dimension and depth.

Also, according to a case study by Houzz, at least 46% of homeowners pick a color for their kitchen island that contrasts with cabinets. This is because the two-tone paint style offers great spatial definition.

But be careful when choosing colors for two-tone cabinet painting. Not all colors work well together and pairing up the wrong colors could make your kitchen look gaudy. Try talking to someone who has an eye for colors to help you choose colors that look good together.

5. Soft Pastels

If you want to go for a more whimsical look for your kitchen cabinets, you can try soft pastel colors. Colors like coral, lilac, and mint green are some great soft pastel colors for kitchen cabinets as they can strike a great balance between simplicity and uniqueness.

Also, these colors can add a touch of playfulness to your kitchen and they can add a lot of aesthetic appeal without overwhelming you with visual overload.

6. Earthy Tones

Warm, earthy tones like caramel and terracotta can add a feeling of organic charm and comfort to your kitchen. Like soft pastel colors, earthy tones aren’t visually overwhelming and can give your kitchen a simple yet classy look.

If your kitchen has many metallic components, these earthy tones might not look good in contrast to them. So it may be better for you to choose bolder colors instead.

Deciding on the right paint color for your kitchen cabinets can be a bit tricky—this is especially true when you’re not sure what types of colors will work for your kitchen.

So try to get in touch with a reputable company that offers cabinet painting services in San Diego to help you figure out what kinds of shades and hues are best for your kitchen.

How to prepare your kitchen cabinets for a new paint job

Once you’ve decided on what color to paint your cabinets, you need to start preparing them for the paint job. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Dismantle Your Cabinets

The first step in cabinet painting in San Diego is to take the cabinets apart. This means removing the drawers and also the doors from the cabinet frames. Make sure to label each part of the cabinet with a painter’s tap so that you know which piece goes where when it’s time to reassemble the cabinets.

Also, keep all the screws inside a container, like a plastic cup, to make sure that you don’t lose any of them. In addition, just to make sure that none of the parts get misplaced, give each part a number.

2. Clean the Surfaces

Take each part of the cabinets outside and place them on a rack. Now what you need to do is give them a good wash to remove any dirt and grime. This step is very important because dirt and grime can prevent paint from sticking properly to the wood and this could lead to problems like flaking and bubbling.

To clean your cabinets, just mix some mild detergent with some clean water and apply the mixture to the parts of the cabinet using a cotton cloth or sponge. Try not to use any strong chemical cleaners as they could permanently damage the wood.

Afterward, leave the cabinet parts to dry in the sun before you move on to the next step.

3. Sand the Cabinets

After the cabinets are done drying, it’s time to sand them. To do this, you should get yourself some fine-grit sandpaper since they don’t leave any scratches. Carefully sand away the old paint and if there are any holes in the wood, fill them up with wood filler and sand the area for a smooth finish.

Once you’re done sanding, dust the surface of the wood to remove the debris using a vacuum cleaner. After this, apply a coat of primer to help the paint stick to the cabinets, and make sure that the primer covers the surfaces of the cabinet parts evenly.

Now your cabinets are ready to be painted!

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some commonly asked questions, with answers, from our previous customers:

1. What type of paint should I use for cabinets?

Use a high-quality, semi-gloss, or satin finish paint. Acrylic latex paints are popular for their durability and ease of cleaning.

2. Can I paint over laminated cabinets?

Yes, but you need to use a primer specifically designed for laminate surfaces to ensure proper adhesion.

3. How many coats of paint do I need for cabinets?

Typically, two coats of paint are sufficient for good coverage, but this can vary depending on the color and type of paint used.

Discover great cabinet painting in San Diego

Painting kitchen cabinets can add a lot of charm to your kitchen, but to get the best out of a cabinet paint job, you need to call someone with an expert hand—this is where painting companies in San Diego come in!

These professional painting companies have many years of experience in painting homes all across the state. From helping you choose cabinet colors to putting the final touches on your kitchen cabinets, they will help you through every step of the painting process.

If you’re looking to breathe new life into your kitchen cabinets, reach out to a professional painting company today!