10 Steps for Successfully Painting Kitchen Cabinets (and Avoid Pulling Your Hair Out!)

10 Steps for Successfully Painting Kitchen Cabinets (and Avoid Pulling Your Hair Out!)

Although many refuse to paint over wood on principle, in fact most designers encourage us to do so. The reason: a sleek up-to-date kitchen is a major selling point! 


However, it must be said that painting kitchen cabinets is an arduous — almost colossal — task. This is one of the most laborious home renovation projects you can carry out. No wonder so many people become discouraged. Especially if it’s a big kitchen. But you can get through it if you’re well organized!

Step 1: Remove Everything!

To save time, you may be tempted to leave the doors, shelves and drawers in place. This is definitely a bad idea! It will be almost impossible to do a thorough job with everything in place. In fact, you’ll end up wasting more time trying to paint all those little hard-to-reach areas.

Step 2: Don’t Forget to Keep Track of What Goes Where

Before removing doors, shelves and drawers, make a note of their place in the general layout. Identify them with a sticker or erasable pencil, numbering them from left to right and from bottom to top, for example. You’ll be glad you took the time to do so when you can then reinstall them headache-free. Hardware (hinges, screws, etc.) must also be identified and reused to secure its original drawer or door.

Step 3: Remove All the Grease From the Surfaces

Cooking produces a lot of grease particles that become airborne and stick to surfaces all around the kitchen. Use a good wood cleaner, preferably a degreaser, then let dry completely.

Step 4: Repair Where Needed

For a new kitchen you can be proud to show off to your family and friends, the cabinets, doors and drawers must be in good condition before painting. Paint will not mask imperfections! If there are holes, repair them with a wood filler. Components that are too damaged will need to be replaced. Sometimes, all you will need to do is have pieces cut to the same size at the hardware store. And you’ll save money!  

Step 5: Sand for Better Paint Adherence

For the paint to stick to the surface it is being applied to, you must get sanding. A fine grain paper, such as a number 150, should do a good job. The goal is to obtain a smooth and uniform wooden surface. Everything that is to be painted must be sanded, even the small corners. You are starting fresh!

Step 6: Start With Primer

Although it adds a few hours of work to your kitchen renovation project, applying a primer is essential. Otherwise, the result will be lacklustre. The primer keeps the paint colour bright and allows it to properly cover any repairs carried out in step 4.

Step 7: Choose the Paint Carefully

Choose a paint finish that is supremely washable. Some finishes stain easily, i.e. grease splatter can permanently soak into surfaces. What a nightmare! Especially after all the hours spent renovating. The paint colour should complement the other elements in your kitchen such as the backsplash, countertop and flooring. If you can, bring samples of the materials with you to the paint store as reference so you can easily choose the most appropriate shade.

Step 8: Paint (Finally!)

It’s finally time to paint! For this step, you need the right tools such as a high-quality brush for hard-to-reach areas and a microfibre roller. Paint in the same direction as the wood grain and do not let drops of paint dry on the surfaces.

Step 9: Leave It to Dry, and Repeat!

Allow the paint to dry for the required number of hours stated in the manufacturer’s instructions. Then turn the pieces over and paint the other side. Leave it to dry again. You will typically want to apply two coats, so this is obviously a more time-consuming step, up to a few days of work.

Step 10: Reinstall Everything

Now all that’s left to do is to reinstall doors, drawers and cabinets. Fortunately, you have previously identified where each component goes! Be careful not to scratch the paint you just finished applying while doing so. If you find that some cabinets are a little shaky, secure them with anchors.


Ready to start your renovation project? Keep in mind that painting your kitchen cabinets may well increase the value of your property. A great motivating factor, right?

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.