The Magic of Painted Kitchen Cabinets: Before and After

If you’re looking to breathe new life into your old cabinets without the expense of new cabinets, painting them is a fantastic option. Professional painters often emphasize that a fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference in the overall look of your space. This is so true!

Whether you have old kitchen cabinets that need a makeover or simply want to update the color scheme, the transformation can be remarkable. Before diving in, it’s essential to choose the right paint color; remember that white paint remains a popular choice for a bright, airy feel, especially in small kitchens. White cabinets are a classic and timeless color choice that hasn’t ever gone out of style. That being said, YOU DO YOU and pick the color that YOU want. 

painted kitchen cabinets before and after

Painting kitchen cabinets can seem like a huge task, but it’s really not. It is time consuming and there are a few “best practices” to get the best result. Start by removing the drawer fronts and cabinet doors, allowing for easier access that ensures that you can apply multiple coats of paint without worrying about brush strokes. Using high-quality paint can provide a beautiful smooth finish that adds character to your kitchen. While it may be a lot of work, the good thing is that the effort pays off when you see the after pictures showcasing your newly painted cabinets.

painting melamine or laminate cabinets

One of the key steps is to properly prepare the surfaces by sanding down the current finish. This isn’t always necessary depending on the paint you are using, but this is the best option to make sure the paint adheres well and lasts longer. After applying a couple of coats, you’ll notice how the right cabinet colors can completely transform the look of your kitchen, making it feel like a whole new kitchen. Whether you’re aiming for a classic white kitchen or a bold, modern statement, painted cabinet doors can give your space a fresh update without the need for a complete renovation. So, if you’re considering an affordable kitchen upgrade, painting your cabinets is a good idea that can yield stunning results!

Should you use chalk paint to paint Kitchen cabinets?

Fifteen years ago, I would have said yes to this question. Chalk paint used to the “go to” paint for anything cabinets or furniture. Today, though, there are so many great new products available that are….well….more durable and better suited for painting high traffic surfaces. It used to be you had two choices; oil-based paint and latex paint. When Chalk paint hit the market it became a craze just because there wasn’t anything else like it. Today, though, there are loads of paint options for your DIY project. 
This doesn’t mean you can’t use chalk paint for cabinets, you just need to understand chalk paint first and know it HAS TO HAVE A TOP COAT to last. That top coat needs to be more durable than wax! Read this blog post about how to use chalk paint for a high traffic surface

I wrote another post not long ago that outlines the best paint for cabinets without sanding! Make sure to check that out before choosing a painted finish. Also, if you’re looking to paint those cabinets a dark color, I also rounded up a post with my favorite black paint for wooden cabinets

Here are a few key supplies and tools you need to make the cabinet painting process easier:

  • paint brush
  • spray gun
  • wood filler
  • drop cloth
  • sandpaper
  • best paint for kitchen cabinets
  • primer
  • sealer

I won’t go into all the details about how to paint kitchen cabinets, I’ve got a handful of “how-to” videos and posts on that subject (from how to paint melamine and laminate cabinets to how to paint wood furniture like Oak Cabinets). Just remember, some of the first things you need to do is prep that surface well. The prep work stage can take as long as the painting stage, but don’t skimp on this!

Before and After Painted Kitchen Cabinets

Painted Laminate Kitchen cabinets; Modern Farmhouse Kitchen update

This was one of my first painting projects that had me hooked! The entire kitchen was a sea of brown. Yuck! With just a little paint and time, I slowly transformed this kitchen from drab to fab.

modern farmhouse

It brightens it up so much! What do you think? Cabinets are painted in an Ace Hardware paint (not available anymore) in the color Winters Gate by Benjamin Moore and the island is General Finishes Snow White.

painting laminate cabinets gray

Kitchen Makeover; Before and After

I love the finishes Liz chose to makeover her dated kitchen. From light and bright countertops to beautiful grey cabinets, this kitchen flows beautifully. Here is the before picture.

And here is the after!

It’s stunning what a little paint can do! The color she chose is Argos by Sherwin Williams.

Painting oak cabinets white

Carrie does a beautiful job transforming these honey oak cabinets into a beautiful white while removing the wood grain too! Check out the before pics!

Look what her kitchen looks like now!

It’s crazy how much brighter her kitchen is with white paint! By the way, she used DecoArt Satin Enamels Acrylic Paint in the color Pure White.

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets without Sanding

Sonja and Jane share a great tutorial on how to paint kitchen cabinets without sanding. She painted a gray color on the bottom of the cabinets with a bright white on the top cabinets to create a two-toned kitchen.

The paint she used was from Americana Decor in the colors pure white and smoke grey.

Here is the before:

Here is the after!

Forest Avenue Kitchen Remodel

Amber shares a beautiful kitchen remodel with painted gray cabinets! The cabinets started with 1970’s dark wood cabinets. Even though she still used a darker gray color, the new paint really modernizes the space!

Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog Kitchen Cabinets

In this post, Kayla shares a beautiful kitchen transformation where she paints her honey oak cabinets in Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog.

These cabinets were crying out for some color!

I love how the paint brightens the space up!

Painting Kitchen Cabinets white with a Paint Sprayer

Rachel does a great job of sharing a tutorial on how to use a paint sprayer to paint these old wood cabinets white.

The white definitely makes it look more elegant and expensive!

I hope I’ve given you some good inspiration and ideas on painting your kitchen cabinets!