How We Painted Our Own Cabinets in 3 Days
Would you rather spend $5,000 or do it yourself in 3 days? Yes, it was a little more stressful painting our kitchen cabinets by ourselves, but it was totally worth it.
YOU'LL NEED: Paint Sprayer (or paint roller but a paint sprayer is WAY easier), Tape/Paper for protecting the room, Lots of space to lay out the cabinets, and TIME.
We followed the Chris Loves Julia method for this and it can be found on their website! https://www.chrislovesjulia.com/how-to-paint-your-cabinets-in-a-weekend-without-sanding-them/
We first taped off the kitchen area because we were going to be painting the cabinet frame (taking the doors off and then painting the base/boxes directly). A paint sprayer can be MESSY, so you want to protect your space well.
We removed the doors and drawer fronts and made sure to label them to remember their location for when we reinstall them.
We have found better methods since, but back then, we used paper cups to prop up the doors in our garage. Some DIYers hang the doors vertically using eyehooks drilled into the top, or you can buy StakRaks made specifically for this type of project.
Jonathan used the paint sprayer to give all the doors a first coat (waiting for it to fully dry then flipping it over to do the backside). Then we did ANOTHER coat (so 4 flips total). He was able to wait 6-8 hours between coats before doing the next one.
We added a clear topcoat sealer and let that dry for 15+ hours (overnight). Then we reinstalled them back into their original hinges and added gold knobs and pulls.
It saved us so much money and it honestly wasn't that bad! They lasted about 3-4 years before we decided to reface the doors fully with new doors from My Front + Center.
#Lemon8Partner #kitchencabinets #paintcabinets #cabinetpainting #howtopaintcabinets
After tackling our own kitchen cabinets, I've got even more tips to share for anyone dreaming of a budget-friendly kitchen refresh! If you're dealing with truly old kitchen cabinets – think a 1960s or 70s style that’s seen better days – thorough prep is absolutely key. Beyond just cleaning, consider their surface. Older cabinets might have layers of grime or old finishes that need extra attention. A good degreaser is your best friend, and don't underestimate the power of a light scuff sand, even if you’re following a no-sanding method for adhesion. It helps create a better bond for your primer, especially on glossy or heavily used surfaces. We even found some stubborn spots on our wooden cabinet doors that needed a little extra elbow grease to ensure a smooth canvas. Choosing the right painting old kitchen cabinets color ideas can be overwhelming, but it's where your kitchen's personality shines! While we went with crisp white for a bright, clean look, popular trends include sophisticated greige, deep navy for a dramatic touch, or a calming sage green. Think about your existing wall colors – perhaps you have brown cabinets and are considering *blue walls*? A contrasting cabinet color can really make a statement. For a softer, farmhouse feel, some DIYers even explore a whitewash kitchen cabinets technique, which allows the wood grain to show through slightly. Always test a swatch in an inconspicuous area to see how the color looks in your kitchen's lighting throughout the day. It makes a huge difference! Using a paint sprayer truly transformed our project, making it so much faster and giving a professional, smooth finish. If you're using one, remember to thin your paint correctly – too thick, and it clogs; too thin, and it runs. Multiple thin coats are always better than one thick one. Also, proper ventilation and masking are non-negotiable; my partner learned this firsthand when mist tried to settle on everything! For those without a sprayer, high-quality mini-foam rollers can also achieve a surprisingly smooth finish, just be prepared for more drying time between coats and potentially more brush strokes. Beyond the cabinets, there are so many other kitchen renovation DIY projects that can complete your beautiful kitchens vision on a budget. We saw how much our new gold knobs and pulls elevated the look of our newly painted white cabinets, making them feel brand new. Consider a simple shiplap backsplash for texture, or even exploring options for updating your countertops if new quartz countertops aren't in the immediate budget. Even small changes like new lighting fixtures or a fresh coat of wall paint can create a stunning before and after transformation. It's amazing what you can achieve with a bit of effort and creativity, saving a lot of money in the process!
Did you do any prep on the cabinets themselves to make the paint last longer???