The kitchen is often the heart of a home, where people come together to work, study, dine and celebrate with friends and family. It's often the highest priority for renovation because it's the space everyone gravitates towards – it should feel genuinely welcoming and uplifting.
However, not everyone can afford an entire kitchen overhaul with brand-new appliances, counters and cabinets, which is why many choose to refresh old surfaces with easy-to-use, self-priming chalk paint for kitchen cupboards.
High-quality chalk paint gives cupboards and cabinets a facelift on a wallet-friendly budget. It completely transforms drab-looking interiors, and there's a wide range of shades to browse, from classic neutrals to vibrant blues, yellows and plums.
If you're ready to get started, keep reading for our easy step-by-step painting guide. We also run through what products you need, how to prepare your surfaces and the best methods for an unbeatable finish.
Should I buy new cabinets or paint my old ones?
Painting cabinets is quicker, simpler and more cost-effective than replacing them, and you can achieve an equally stunning result. Nevertheless, you should check the condition beforehand because some may be beyond saving.
If cupboards are functional and structurally sound, but just a little worse for wear, all you need is a fresh lick of paint. To avoid the faff of filling old holes and drilling new ones for replacement handles, you can even revamp your existing handles.
What is the best paint to use on cabinets?
Forget oil-based or latex mixtures that tend to be smelly and require faffy priming – the best paint for kitchen cabinets and cupboards is chalk paint. Besides its low odour and minimal VOCs, chalk paint requires only simple preparation and is easy to apply. This makes it an excellent choice for DIYers with any level of experience.
As for colours, the world is your oyster. Take a look at our article on kitchen cabinet paint colours to get inspired. Go bold with dark paint or keep things calm with light neutrals.
Do I need to prime the cabinets before painting?
No primer is needed if you’re using self-priming paint, including Frenchic’s Lazy Range, Al Fresco and Trim Paint collections – which are all suitable for kitchen cupboards. However, you may want to apply 2-3 coats of Finishing Coat if you're painting bare wood on newly installed cabinets. This will seal the surface before new paint is applied.
Painting cabinets in 4 easy steps
Now we've answered the most pressing questions, it's time to start painting. You can apply chalk paint in four stress-free steps:
- Clean
- Lightly sand
- Apply paint
- Finishing touches
Before starting, you need:
- Frenchic chalk paint from our kitchen cabinet collection
- Frenchic Sugar Soap
- Fine to medium sandpaper or sanding block
- Sponge and cloth
- A flat or oval paintbrush
- Frenchic Finishing Coat and Frensheenmineral powder for the finishing touches (optional)
1. Clean
Kitchen cabinets get mucky, so start with a meticulous clean. It’s best to remove the cupboard doors before taking off hinges and handles. Give the doors a good scrub with sugar soap, which is an excellent degreaser – so even unseen grease is removed.
Next, rinse away the soap with clean water and a lint-free cloth. Allow surfaces to dry completely.
2. Lightly sanding
Once the surfaces are clean and completely dry, hand-sand them to abrade the surface, especially if it is smooth and glossy. It will help the paint adhere efficiently. After doing so, be sure to wipe away any sanding dust with a damp cloth, then dry.
What happens if you paint cabinets without sanding?
If you paint kitchen cabinets without sanding, the paint may not adhere as well to the surface. The result is that paint may lift and peel or flake away over time.
3. Apply paint
Now the preparation is over, it's time to paint your first coat. For the best finish, use a good quality paintbrush and some like a small roller as well. Work with the grain of the wood, hold the brush around 45 degrees, and use long strokes with light pressure.
Follow the instructions on the tin for drying times between coats, and pay attention to the recommended rate of coverage. You don't want to apply fresh coats to wet paint! Take extra care of the surface at first, after three weeks, surfaces are highly resistant to scrapes, knocks and stains. This is because it can take up to three weeks for paint to fully cure.
4. Finishing touches
If you want to complete the look and revamp your existing cupboard handles, Frenchic Frensheens are a great choice. Choose one of five metallic colours and mix with Finishing Coat.
Apply this mixture to your handles just like a metallic paint. It works on almost any material and produces a highly durable finish, as you can see in our video tutorial.
Are you ready to transform your kitchen cabinets?
Are you ready to transform your kitchen with minimal fuss and expense? If so, browse our kitchen cupboard door paint and follow the straightforward steps in this handy guide. If you’re not feeling brave enough to get started yet, you can also watch a tutorial video on how to paint your kitchen cabinets.
For further tips and tricks, subscribe to the FrenchicTV YouTube channel - we offer plenty of expert advice to make renovating easy. Alternatively, take inspiration from our gorgeous upcycling makeovers:
- Dazzle Me! Kitchen Makeover
- Duckling Kitchen Drawers Makeover
- Ol' Blue Eyes Kitchen Makeover
- Cool Beans Kitchen Makeover
- Stormy Kitchen Transformation
Painting kitchen cabinets - FAQs
Is it better to spray paint or brush paint kitchen cabinets?
As with most projects, spray painting kitchen cabinets will get the job done quicker and with less effort, but it requires a lot more preparation to protect areas you don't want to be painted. You'll need to thin paint using around 10% of water to make it thin enough for a paint sprayer, meaning that an extra coat will also be needed compared to brushing.
Is it better to roll or brush paint cabinets?
Using a foam roller may help you get a smooth finish and paint your cabinets a little quicker compared to a brush. A small roller is best as it gives you a little more control on doors and drawers. However, you'll still need a brush to paint the edges.
Should I use gloss or flat paint for kitchen cabinets?
Traditionally, gloss paint was the more hard-wearing option, making it ideal for kitchen cabinet doors. Nowadays, however, flat paint can be just as durable with water-resistant properties. The Frenchic Al Fresco range is water-resistant with a very low, almost flat finish. So, it's completely up to you which kind of finish you go for. And there’s always the option of satin finish – check out over 150 colours in our Trim Paint range.
How many hours does it take to paint kitchen cabinets?
The total paint time depends completely on your level of experience and the size of the kitchen you're painting. Try to enjoy the process rather than rushing, as you don't want to look back and see mistakes just because you saved a few minutes here and there.
Can you paint over greasy kitchen cabinets?
No - you should always give cabinet doors and drawers a thorough clean using a suitable degreaser like sugar soap. If you skip this step, even high-quality paint just won't stick.
Do you paint both sides of kitchen cabinet doors?
This is completely up to you. It's quicker and easier to paint door and drawer fronts only - just make sure you use masking tape to get a clean finish between the inside and outside of your cabinets. Alternatively, you can paint both sides - it may be best to remove the doors and drawers to make them easier to paint. If you're feeling extra-creative, you can paint the inside and outside different colours for some added contrast.
How do you get the smoothest finish when painting cabinets?
Firstly, you might not want the smoothest possible finish when painting doors and drawers. Wood cabinets look great when you paint with the wood grain. However, if you're painting completely flat surfaces like plastic laminate, take a look at our FAQ on getting a smooth finish. Tips include:
- Using long, even strokes.
- Thorough cleaning and sanding to prepare all the surfaces.
- Following the manufacturer's instructions for coverage to avoid a thin or thick layer of paint.
When should you not paint cabinets?
Old kitchen cabinets may not be suitable for painting if they're in a state of disrepair. Wood filler can be used on most dints and holes, but rot or decay cannot be rectified.
