Kitchen Cabinet Painting: What Questions Should You Be Asking
January 11, 2022Benefits of planning ahead for your winter interior painting projects
January 21, 2022Ever had those mornings when you’re enjoying a hot cup of coffee or tea and you catch yourself eyeing your kitchen and wishing it had a fresher look?
With your kitchen being the heart of your home, making it one of the most pleasant and attractive locations in your home is an absolute necessity.
Your kitchen space is more than just an area where you cook up delicious dishes, it is a space that can bring your loved ones and friends together to bond and make memories; a place where kids can work freely on their crafts without worrying about making a mess, and also a great office space for those late nights.
That being said, remodeling your entire kitchen can come at quite the cost. Instead, you can choose to add a pop of color to your cabinets and give your kitchen the facelift it needs.
Here are my tips for all you San Diego residents when cabinet painting! 🙂
Inspect and review
Before diving straight for those paint buckets, it’s always best to conduct a full examination of your cabinets to understand the design, structure, and texture of your already existing pieces.
If your cabinets are made of wood, metal, or wood-laminate, repainting should pose no real challenge. Plastic laminated cabinets, on the other hand, may not be as cooperative and will require special paint techniques and a test run with selected paint to see how well it bonds with the material.
If your woodwork is warped or badly damaged due to the San Diego weather, look into buying new unfinished doors and drawers to work on to match the aesthetic you desire 😀
Remove and label
One valuable piece of advice I share with all my clients before they start painting their cabinets is to clear off their kitchen counters, empty their cabinets, and remove and bag all the screws, hinges, drawers, and hardware your cabinets hold.
If you are taking on the task of refurbishing your cabinets on your own, be sure to label each door to its corresponding location with masking tape. Cover open spaces and backdrops to avoid any surprise paint splatter.
Finally, keep markings and reminders simple so that you have an easier time when it comes to reassembling everything.
Spick and span
Kitchen spaces are known to attract high amounts of foot traffic. So, it’s no surprise when you spot food stains, grease marks, and other types of residue.
To ensure the paint you have chosen adheres well to your cabinet surfaces, give them all a thorough clean-up and allow them to fully dry off before you paint them.
A good mixture to help remove stubborn stains is made by combining one part trisodium phosphate and four parts water. If you are going to sand your cabinets, be sure that no dust particles are left behind to achieve that smooth and clean finish once you paint.
Commence the painting
Undeniably, the most notable feature of your kitchen is your cabinets, so when picking out your colors, consider the size of your kitchen space.
The color palette you choose will set the overall mood and tone of your home. If you love bold colors and contrasts be sure they complement your walls so they don’t turn into an eyesore.
Those of you who are on the other side of the spectrum—gravitating towards softer and subtle tones—choose lighter shades that are visual tricksters as these paint colors make rooms look bigger.
Final thoughts on cabinet painting
While cabinet painting, with its endless possibilities and options, can seem like a stressful renovation, don’t put off having the most beautiful cabinets that will make your kitchen the showstopper of San Diego 😀
If you do feel overwhelmed, contact a professional to help you make the best decisions when it comes to your cabinets.
All the best! 👍