It is amazing what a little paint can do. If you have been following me previously then you already know that I have been working to update my builder grade home since purchasing November 2020. I have already updated the countertops and you can check out Faux Marble Countertops or the YOUTUBE video. The first thing that had to go were the floors and these cherry kitchen cabinets below. Continue reading to see the evolution of my kitchen.
I wanted to lighten up the space and make it bright and airy especially with all of the natural light this home has to offer. This kitchen gave me cabin vibes when I am more like the beach. I want to show you step by step how I painted my laminate cabinets to get this beautiful look.
Supplies:
Benjamin Moore Advanced line: (
PAINT)
150 grit sand paper
4” nap microfiber roller
Paint brush
Zinsser Primer
When I decided to paint my cabinets I already knew that white was the color for me however, there are so many different shades of white with different undertones. I wanted a bright timeless look so I painted my kitchen the color of my walls but instead of an eggshell finish I opted for a satin finish because it’s easier to clean.
Prep:
I began by cleaning all cabinets with dish soap and water to remove dirt and build up. If you are painting laminate cabinets be sure not to drench the cabinets with water and Krud Kutter. I rave about Krud Kutter because the previous owner must have cooked a lot because the cabinets over stove had stubborn grease stains that soap and water did not clean. When I used this product it easily wiped away the stuck on grease and all residue on cabinets that dish soap left behind.
Once I had the cabinets all cleaned, I used 150 grit sand paper to lightly scuff up the cabinets so that the paint can adhere. If you are painting laminate I suggest you be sure to include this step because laminate is not real wood it’s composite wood and it does not always easily hold the paint. Once you have sanded everything you want to take a damp wet cloth and wipe up all residue from sanding.
After all cabinets and cabinet doors were sanded, I mapped out how I wanted to organize this big job using my Be Intentional DIY Notebook. Having a plan on how to effectively and efficiently get a project done helps minimize errors and keep your project on track. I completed this kitchen completely alone but if you have others to help it can get done a lot quicker. This project took me 5 days to complete.
I decided to start with the top cabinets first and then work my way to the bottom. I removed the cabinet doors/hardware and used tape to match the door with the cabinet using this match system (cabinet 1; door 1, cabinet 2; door 2, etc.). This will help you place them back with ease once you are done. I placed the tape in the designated area for the hardware on the door since that section will not be painted and on the floor of the cabinet base.
Prime:
Now you are ready to get this job rolling. Using Zinsser Bullseye 123 water base primer to prime cabinets. I used a white primer to help lighten the dark cabinets and prep for white paint. If you are painting cabinets a darker color I recommend having your primer tinted to match the actual paint you are using for better coverage.
I began by making sure I painted the inside of the doors first. I used a 4” nap microfiber roller and a paint brush to paint this project. I took the brush and began cutting all corners and areas the roller would not be able to reach. Once I completed the cutting all the corners, I followed up using the roller making smooth even passes to avoid awkward lines in the paint. I then placed the freshly painted door on 4 solo cups (one at each corner) to dry. I recommend waiting anywhere between 4 – 6 hours between coats and lightly sanding using 150 grit sand paper as well. Repeat this process on all doors front and back.
I completed this process repeatedly until all doors where painted. While the doors dried, I taped off all areas I did not want paint on. I painted the cabinet base/frame using the same roller and paint brush for hard to reach areas.
I painted on 2 coats of primer and allowed the cabinets to dry overnight.
Painting:
Now to the good part! I highly recommend using a good quality paint. If your paint is not of good quality you will run into chips and other imperfections. The Benjamin Moore Advanced line is a really good paint option. The advance paint is self-leveling making the painting process smoother. It also adheres to the cabinets really well and you cannot even tell in person that I painted them.
With this step you will follow previous step but instead of primer use paint. I painted on 2-3 coats of paint and allowed the cabinets to dry (I recommends 24 hours for light use and 72 hours for heavy use).
My kitchen definitely received a major facelift with this paint job and I love it. This job does not have to be intimidating as long as you work smart and not hard. Map out your plans and pace yourself you will have a beautiful kitchen, not break the bank, and not tire yourself out. If you found this blog helpful please like, comment, and subscribe! F
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