4 steps to renew kitchen cabinets by painting

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, the place where people come together to work, study, eat, and celebrate with family and friends.

It's no wonder that the kitchen is at the top of most renovation wish lists – it's a space where everyone gathers and it should be genuinely inviting and cozy.

However, not everyone has the opportunity to do a complete kitchen renovation with new appliances, countertops, and cabinetry, so many choose to refresh old surfaces with the easy-to-use Frenchic paint for kitchen cabinets.

Why choose Frenchic paint for kitchen cabinets?

• Affordable and effective solution: High-quality Frenchic paint gives cabinets a new look on a small budget. A typical kitchen is usually refreshed with two 750ml cans of Frenchic paint. 
  
• Wide color selection: Available in plenty of shades from classic neutrals to bold blues, yellows, and plum tones.
• Simple and easy to use: Frenchic paint is user-friendly and suitable for both beginners and more experienced renovators.
• Frenchic paints already have protective properties built in, so you don't need primers or varnishes.
• Beautifully leveling Frenchic paint gives you an advantage in many stages: the result is wonderfully smooth and the work progresses quickly since drying times per coat are short: 1-4h per coat.
• Painting indoors is a pleasure with the odorless Frenchic paint. 

If you're ready to start, keep reading to get clear step-by-step painting instructions.

Additionally, we will go through what products you need, how to prepare the surfaces, and the best methods to achieve a perfect result.

Is it better to replace or paint the kitchen cabinets and doors?

By doing it yourself, you can influence the schedule and won't have to wait for deliveries of materials or labor. You can do the painting either all at once with a good volunteer group or door by door at your own pace.

Painting cabinets is a faster, simpler, and more cost-effective option than replacing them, and the result can be just as stunning. However, check the condition of the kitchen cabinets in advance, as some may be too damaged to save with just painting.

You can also consider costs. Compare the price of a paint can to the price of new doors. Painting a typical family kitchen can be done with two or three 750ml cans of Frenchic paint. A budget-friendly project often allows renewing a few other items: faucet, countertop, or handles. 

If interested, do a test paint before a bigger project.

Get these first:

• Small 250ml paint can
• Sugar Soap cleaner
• Brush 
• Color chart 
• A few Peel & Stick shade samples

This is how you get familiar with your chosen tools and can ensure the suitability of the shade. You can see our customers' hundreds of kitchen projects in the FB group - you'll definitely find pictures of a kitchen similar to yours. 

If the cabinets are structurally sound and functional but worn:

• Quickly and DIY a new look with paint: Painting can be enough for a complete makeover.
• Affordable option: compare the price of a paint can to new doors
• Handle renovation: You can also refurbish existing handles without the need to drill new holes.

What is the best paint for kitchen cabinets?

Forget strongly smelling oil or latex paints that require tedious priming and long drying times. The best paint for kitchen cabinets is Frenchic paint.

• Low VOC emissions and minimal odor: Frenchic paint is 100% water-based and wonderfully smooth
• Beautifully leveling and fast drying
• Short drying times per coat
• No need for primer: Frenchic paint containing primer saves time and effort
• Suitable for all kinds of cabinet surfaces: MDF, wood, metal, UPVC
• Color options: Boldly choose dark shades or keep it subdued with light neutrals

Do kitchen cabinets need priming before painting?

No, if you use paint containing primer, like Frenchic paints, which are excellent for kitchen cabinets. If you paint new, bare wood cabinets, it's advisable to seal the surface before painting and apply 2–3 coats of Finishing Coat. Read more about Frenchic paint features here.

Painting kitchen cabinets in four easy steps:

1. Cleaning
Kitchen cabinets collect dirt, so start with thorough cleaning. Remove doors and handles before painting, and clean the surfaces with Sugar Soap, which is an effective degreaser. Then rinse with clean water and let dry completely.

2. Light sanding
When the surfaces are clean and dry, sand them lightly, especially if they are smooth and glossy. This improves paint adhesion. Then wipe off the dust with a damp cloth and let dry.

3. Painting
After preparation, it's time to paint the first coat. Use a high-quality brush and paint along the wood grain. Remember to follow drying times between coats and make sure not to apply a new coat too early. The paint fully cures in about three weeks, making the surfaces resistant to dents and stains. Only paint with well-mixed paint.

4. Finishing 
If you wish, you can also refurbish the kitchen cabinet handles. Frenchic Frensheen powder and Finishing Coat give the handles a durable and metallic look.

Bonus: here you can see the list of supplies you need for painting kitchen cabinets.

Are you ready to renew your kitchen?

If you are ready to renew your kitchen without much effort and cost, check out our kitchen cabinet paints and follow these easy instructions.

If you don't yet feel brave enough to start, you can also watch a tutorial video on painting kitchen cabinets.

Longer instructions for painting kitchen cabinets can be found here.

If you want to see what others have painted, then join our FB group and follow us on Instagram.