My Sister's Suitcase - Packed with Creativity

Packed with Creativity

  • Home
  • About Us
    • The Sisters
    • Shop
    • Advertising
    • Contact
    • Terms
  • Project Index
    • All Projects
    • DIY
    • Printables
    • Project Life
    • $5 Friday
    • Holiday
    • Parties
    • Gift Ideas
  • Holidays
    • All Holidays
    • New Years
    • Valentines Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Spring
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Fall
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Printables
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Google
  • Twitter

5 Tips for Painting Cabinets

May 24, 2016 12 Comments Holly & Nat

Just over a year ago, my husband and I purchased our first home. We’ve been married 9 years and lived in small apartments for most of that time, so needless to say we are thrilled to have more space and a place that’s really our own. We have been slowly chipping away at getting things done around here and our little guest bathroom was high on my list! Since I couldn’t afford a brand new vanity, I decided to paint the existing cabinets for a more updated and clean look. Now it’s one of my favorite DIY projects! Here are 5 tips for painting your own cabinets.

5-tips-for-painting-cabinets

  1. PREPARATION IS KEY

outdated-90s-bathroom

This is such an important step to take before you do any painting. (*Affiliate links included below for supplies listed.)

Always start with wiping down the cabinets (or even using a degreaser – here’s our favorite – on tough spots in the kitchen) to remove any dust and gunk. I missed a huge spot and found out the hard way when the paint peeled right off that greasy spot when it was dry! Depending on the type of wood and paint you are dealing with, you may need a light sanding also. With the paint I used (that I can’t wait to show you!) I didn’t actually sand at all, but a light sanding is optional.

Remove the hardware and cabinet doors. I left everything inside the cabinets and just covered it with plastic.

2. USE THE RIGHT PAINT

americana-satin-enamels

The type of paint you use on your cabinets is so important! We have loved using chalk paint in the past, but when we heard about this new Satin Enamel line from DecoArt, we couldn’t wait to try it!

The Satin Enamels paint I used for the vanity cabinets is specifically made for furniture, bathrooms and kitchens because it cures to a hard, durable finish. I love the coverage of the paint – it goes on smooth and dries quickly. I would say most cabinets would need two coats of paint, but I did add a 3rd coat on the doors to minimize the wood grain texture.

3. BRUSHES AND ROLLERS

painting-your-cabinets-tips

The great thing about this specific line of paint is that it works with a brush or roller. I used a brush to get in the details of the cabinet frame, and a smooth foam mini roller for the faces of the cabinets. After each coat dries, you can sand any paint drips or mistakes and lightly sand the entire surface before the next coat. (Always read the paint instructions/recommendations!) Here is our favorite foam roller:

4. PICK A COLOR, ANY COLOR

updated-bathroom-cabinets

Be sure to test your cabinet color with the other room colors before you paint them all! Our bathroom before was so yellow and blah and uninviting. We freshened up the walls with white paint in a warmer tone to lessen the yellow tone in the countertops, since those couldn’t be changed. Our first cabinet color choice (a darker navy blue) just didn’t look right when we painted a test spot on the cabinets, so we went for something brighter. Adding a few blue accessories really helped pull in the final cabinet color (Seaside Blue Satin Enamel paint.) We also replaced the hideous yellow linoleum flooring and love the new look! Stay tuned for the full bathroom makeover reveal in the next few weeks!

5. DON’T FORGET HARDWARE

DIY-painted-cabinets

This style of cabinet door was tricky when it came time to choose hardware, but I’m so glad we went with our gut and added these handles. (Find similar ones here.) They add so much to the whole look and make the doors much more functional too!

Here is one more look at the before and after:

before-and-after

Okay, are you ready to try painting YOUR cabinets? I can honestly say I’m not a painter and this paint made it SO easy. Start small with a bathroom if you’re intimidated. You can do it! I’m definitely using Satin Enamels to redo our kitchen this summer!

Bathroom-makeover

Americana Decor Satin Enamels  paint is currently available in ALL Hobby Lobby stores, Michaels and select JoAnn Fabric stores.

Check out a few other of our favorite “paint makeovers” with DecoArt:

Chalky Paint Desk Makeover

Chalky Finish Paint desk makeover

DIY Vintage Christmas lights

Christmas decorations custom lights DIY

As a DecoArt Core Blogger, I have been given product and compensation in exchange for this post. All opinions are 100% mine. 
signature-nat

Share this:

Filed Under: bathroom, DecoArt, DIY, Paint

About Holly & Nat

2 Sisters. 2 States. Sharing our latest creations keeps us close. We are moms, wives, daughters, friends, creative souls, singers, living room dancers, Jimmy Fallon fans, & consumers of dirty Dr. Pepper.

« Summer Hand Soap Gift Tags
Ultimate Graduation Gift Idea »

Comments

  1. Dani says

    May 25, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    How many 8oz jars of paint did you use on the bathroom vanity?

    Reply
    • Holly & Nat says

      August 1, 2016 at 11:30 pm

      I used a little more than one jar, but I think it’s because I had to do 3 coats to cover the wood grain. 2 coats and one jar would probably normally be plenty!

      Reply
  2. Faylinn says

    July 27, 2016 at 11:46 am

    I just got new cabinets, but I really want to paint them. I have enough paint in my garage for one coat, but I see that you added a 3rd one. I think that I will go run to the store and get more paint and do the same, because minimizing the wood grain texture is a rally good idea!

    Reply
  3. Jackie says

    July 29, 2016 at 7:26 pm

    Excellent results. I like the new floor just as much as the cabinet.

    Reply
  4. Rachel says

    September 29, 2016 at 8:59 am

    Is this type of paint kid and animal friendly? Meaning easy to wipe up marks and dirt? And just to make sure, this does NOT have a sheen on it, more a flat paint?

    Reply
  5. Rachel says

    September 29, 2016 at 9:07 am

    Is this kid/pet friendly? Wipe off stuff easily? And this does NOT have a sheen to it?

    Reply
  6. Lori says

    October 2, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    Well I’m a Decorator & I think u did an amazing job! I also have the same exact problem, RUGHT NOW & the same cabinet.. I also think u pick a wonderful & unique color!! Good 4 U? Also th3 flooring u put in us Perfect with the Color u painted ur cabinets.

    Reply
  7. Suzan Halterman says

    October 17, 2016 at 11:49 am

    I am getting my kitchen redone this week. I want to make sure I get the kitchen of my dreams. I am getting some amazing cabinets made. It is going to be awesome! I’ll have to see if my contractor has heard of the satin enamels paint. I like that it dries durable and hard. That would be perfect for a kitchen.

    Reply
  8. www.fontspace.com says

    November 22, 2017 at 6:55 am

    Thqnks very nice blog!

    Reply
  9. Vivian. Gentry says

    December 1, 2017 at 6:37 am

    IS THE COLOR THAT U USED, THE ONLY COLOR THAT YOU, CAN GET IN THE PAINT ?? I WAS THINKING MORE LIKE DARK GRAY, OR SHINEY BLACK FOR MY KITCHEN….THANKS, SO MUCH! ….VGGENT6@GMAIL.COM……

    Reply
    • Holly & Nat says

      December 1, 2017 at 1:50 pm

      Hi there! You’re in luck – there are several colors to choose from! Here is the full list: https://decoart.com/americana-decor/satin-enamels/paint

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 10 Low Cost Easy Bathroom DIY Ideas for New Better Look - X Large Stuff says:
    May 8, 2017 at 1:29 am

    […] Cabinet and paint […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

photo
2 Sisters. 2 States. Sharing our latest creations keeps us close. We are moms, wives, daughters, friends, creative souls, singers, living room dancers, Jimmy Fallon fans, & consumers of dirty Dr. Pepper. Read More

Looking For Something?

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Holiday

Greatest Showman Easter Basket DIY

See More >>>

DIY

Greatest Showman pajamas with Cricut Patterned Iron On

See More >>>

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2018 · Genesis Framework · Design by Key Lime Digital Designs · WordPress · Log in