How to paint kitchen cabinets

Need to revamp a tired kitchen? Painting your kitchen cabinets is an easy, budget-friendly DIY decorating project that will transform your cooking space. Learn how to paint kitchen cupboards in our step-by-step guide and find out everything you need to know about the process, including what paint to use on kitchen cabinets.

Choosing the right paint

Kitchens are a high-traffic area of your home, so you need to choose a durable paint for your kitchen cupboards. We recommend choosing a paint with a satin, semi-gloss or gloss finish, as they’re more hard-wearing and easier to clean than other options.

At Dulux, we have plenty of suitable paint for kitchen cabinets, including: 
 

• Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood has a hard-wearing, mid-sheen finish and a quick-drying formula. We recommend Dulux Primer & Undercoat for Wood or Dulux Difficult Surface Primer for MDF, varnished wood or melamine kitchen cabinets.
  
  
• Dulux Simply Refresh Multi-Surface Eggshell is suitable for painting a range of surfaces, including kitchen cabinets. It can be applied directly onto bare or previously painted wood, metal, melamine and MDF surfaces without using a primer, thanks to its self-undercoating properties. 
   

Colour palettes for kitchen cabinets

When it comes to choosing a colour for your kitchen cabinets, the possibilities are endless. Whether you want to match them to a feature wall, choose a contrasting colour that stands out, or create a tonal effect throughout your kitchen, we have plenty of ideas to inspire you.  

Light neutrals

For a clean, airy feel, consider painting your kitchen cupboards in light neutrals like Jasmine White or Fine Cream. These brightening shades create a timeless foundation that makes your kitchen feel spacious and welcoming. Plus, it’s easy to pair white or cream kitchen cabinets with colourful accents or a feature wall if you want to introduce other shades to the design later on.

Warm greys

In modern kitchens, warm greys like Knotted Twine and Polished Pebble add a touch of contemporary sophistication to your kitchen cabinets. Whether you’re creating a tonal, neutral look with grey kitchen cabinets and white walls, or want to use grey as the backdrop to pops of colour, these shades provide the perfect balance of warmth and modernity.

Bold colour blocking
 

Love colour? Kitchen cabinets are a great way to introduce colour blocking, and you can go as bold as you like. In country kitchens, consider painting the cabinets in a striking red like Auburn Embers and the walls in a soft green like Overtly Olive. For a modern kitchen colour scheme, paint your kitchen cabinets in a rich, emerald green like Pine Needle, paired with Pressed Petal on the walls.

How to paint your kitchen cupboards

Follow these steps to give your kitchen cabinets a new look and achieve professional results on your paintwork:
 

1. Prepare your kitchen cabinets and remove hardware. Remove the contents of your cabinets and drawers, then take off all the knobs and handles. To prepare your space, use masking tape to protect hinges or glass and put down dust sheets to cover the floor and worktops.
   
   
2. Sand and fill any imperfections. Fill any holes or imperfections using Polycell Multi-Purpose Polyfilla. Once dry, lightly sand all surfaces with fine sandpaper to help the paint adhere better. 
   
   
3. Clean thoroughly. Wash your kitchen cabinets with sugar soap or a mild detergent and water solution, creating a smooth canvas for painting that’s free of grease and grime. Don't forget to remove any soap residue with a damp cloth and wait for them to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
   
   
4. Apply your chosen colour. We recommend applying two coats of paint to achieve a professional, long-lasting finish. Leave enough drying time between each coat, as specified on the paint tin label.
   
   
5. Add the finishing touches. When the second coat is completely dry, carefully remove the masking tape, put the knobs and handles back on, and admire your sparkling new cabinets! For a total transformation, you could also change the hardware to a style and finish that suits your new paintwork.  
    

Tips for painting laminate kitchen cupboards

Wondering how to paint laminate kitchen cupboards? Laminate surfaces require special attention to ensure your paint job lasts. Here are our top tips: 

• Fix any damage. Before you begin, repair any chips, cracks or peeling areas in the laminate. Use appropriate filler and sand the surface smooth once dry. 
• Clean the cabinets. All grease and dirt must be removed, or the paint won't adhere properly, which could lead to peeling or flaking. Scrub down all areas with sugar soap and rinse with clean water, then leave to dry.  
• Sand lightly. Laminate surfaces are typically very smooth, which makes paint adhesion challenging. Lightly sand all surfaces to roughen up the laminate and ensure the paint will stick. 
• Don't skip the primer. Unlike with some other surfaces, primer is essential when painting laminate. The primer creates the bond between the smooth laminate surface and your topcoat, helping your paintwork last. Not all paints will adhere properly to laminate surfaces, so use Dulux Difficult Surface Primer followed by a suitable paint, like Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood. 
• Apply thin, even coats. Rather than trying to achieve full coverage in one thick coat, apply two or three thin, even coats. This reduces the risk of drips and ensures better adhesion. 
• Allow enough drying time. Be patient between coats. Laminate painted surfaces need enough time to cure properly for a lasting, durable finish. 
   

Can you paint gloss kitchen cabinets?