Warm up your kitchen with more than hot sauce this winter. One of the best ways is by adding color to your dull kitchen cabinets. It may seem unconventional but it can be done in just a few simple steps.
Step #1: Find the right color. Bright, saturated colors add warmth and color without being too loud. Benjamin Moore’s website offers an interactive web tool that allows users to view various paint colors.
Step #2: Buy the right paint and supplies. Oil-based paints are the most durable, as opposed to latex paint. In addition to the paint you will also need a liquid de-glosser and primer.
Step #3: Prep your doors. Meghan Carter, of Ask The Decorator.com, recommends first removing cabinet doors from their hinges. Then, clean them and the base (which is the section of the wall that the doors are attached to) with mild soap and water, then dry them afterwards with a cloth. Next, apply a liquid de-glosser with a lint-free cloth to rough up the cabinets a bit so that the paint will stick.
Step #4: Paint! Start off by applying the primer. Meghan said, “If you have beveled cabinet doors, you should always start painting the center raised portion of the door first and then work your way out. Painting the door in that order will help to eliminate drips. When painting flat doors and the base of kitchen cabinets, start painting on the top of one side of the cabinet and then work your way across. Use up and down strokes for the best result.”
When the primer dries, apply the first coat of paint (if you don’t apply primer, the paint will quickly begin to peel since cabinet doors are used frequently). Apply the same amount of pressure in each stroke so that the paint will blend and the finish will look even. If you need more than one coat you can apply another layer after the first layer dries.
Step #5: Be creative. If you want to get a bit more creative, you can use a stencil to paint a design in the center, or give the freshly painted cabinets an antique look by applying glaze to them with a rag.
Step #6: Re-install the cabinets. Attach and screw the cabinets back to the base.
Step #7: Bask in the afterglow of a job well done! (Okay, this one’s optional.)
Your new cabinets might even look so good that you’ll be tempted to cook.
– Sophia Adem
Photo courtesy Better Homes & Gardens
