As home improvements go, kitchen refits aren’t exactly on the budget end of the scale.
Notoriously messy, inconvenient and expensive to boot, they’re the sort of outlay to make when the mere thought of your kitchen is enough to make you hold your head in despair.
Unless you’re dealing with a particularly heinous situation, some small DIY hacks can bring the heart of the home up a notch.
Swapping boring kitchen handles for something with a bit more character requires only time and patience with a screwdriver, while Command Stripping a few framed prints up onto the wall is a quick way to inject colour without pasting wallpaper.
If you’re willing to go the extra mile, painting kitchen cupboards and cabinets can be a great way to revitalise existing units without the effort and expense of installing new. It’s something we’d recommend for homeowners rather than renters, though if you’ve secured permission from your landlord there’s nothing standing in your way.
Keen to give your kitchen cupboard a refresh? We spoke to Mandy Rippon, product manager at Frenchic Paint, for the best tips, tricks and advice before you reach for that paintbrush.
How should you prep cupboards for paint?
- Choose a self-priming paint to minimise time and expense. Frenchic’s Lazy Range, Al Fresco and Trim Paint collections are perfect for kitchen cupboards.
- Check the existing surface is in good condition and – previous flaking paint or finishes will need sorting/repairing before you do anything else.
- Regardless of the paint you’re using, it’s important to clean your kitchen cabinets before you begin painting. They’re prone to getting mucky, so give the whole lot a good scrub with sugar soap, which is an excellent degreaser – even unseen grease is removed. Next, rinse away the soap with clean water and a lint-free cloth. Allow surfaces to dry completely.
- Hand sand the surfaces to abrade them, be especially thorough if the surface is smooth and glossy. Use a 120-grit sanding block, which can be easier to hold than sandpaper. This process enables the paint to adhere efficiently. After doing so, wipe away dust with a damp cloth, then dry.
Which finish is best?
Choose a paint that is suitable for kitchens and durable enough to stand up to the wear and tear of kitchen life – many regular paints are not up to the job. A matte finish has the benefit of masking existing surface dinks or blemishes.
Is there a foolproof cabinet painting technique? What are your best tips?
Boring but true…. don’t skip prep!
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.
Always, follow the instructions on the tin! Paints vary and sticking to the correct time between coats, and the recommended rate of coverage is always a good idea.
All paint needs to cure to reach full durability. Take extra care of the surface at first, after three weeks, surfaces are highly resistant to scrapes, knocks and stains.
And finally: if you are short on time, consider painting just half your kitchen cupboards! Just top or bottom units – this half-and-half look is on-trend and allows you to inject some variety into your space. Lighter colours are usually better at the top.
Raring to go? If you’re not sure what options are best for making over kitchen cupboards, we’ve made a list to help and inspire.
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COAT Yes Chef
Offering a selection of interior emulsion paints, COAT's eggshell finish is perfect for highlighting wood and metal surfaces. All colours in the collection are durable and hard-wearing making them one to reach for in high-traffic areas like the kitchen.
Yes Chef couldn't be more perfectly named if it tried. The aged, slightly smoky terracotta hue reminds us of paprika. Also in colour therapy, red is best used in high-energy spaces to help trigger passion and inspiration - so one to choose for the avid home cook.
Available in 1L and 2.5L cans.
Buy now £34.00, COAT Paints
Frenchic Paint
Prices: from £9.95
Want to revive an old piece of furniture, or give a new lease of life to a charity shop find? Make a beeline for Frenchic, makers of eco-friendly chalk and mineral paint. Perfect for rookies and pros alike, its 16-strong Original Artisan Range is self-priming, skipping a lengthy extra step if you’re planning to paint over dark colours.
The Lazy Range is even better: not only is it self-priming, but it’s also self-levelling too, which means you’ll barely see brush marks on your finished surface. Both ranges are safe to use on children’s toys, but the Lazy is water resistant too, which makes it a fabulous choice for areas like the kitchen, laundry room and bathroom.
The brand also offers the Alfresco Range, which can be used both indoors and out; Chalk Wall Paint that gives an ultra-matte finish on walls, ceilings, ceramic wall tiles, and concrete; and Trim Paint that’s perfect for skirtings, doors and radiators. Its Instagram account makes for addictive scrolling if you’re waiting for inspiration to strike.
Buy now, Frenchic Paint
Dulux Quick Dry Gloss Paint - Mineral Mist - 750ml
Bring woodwork to life with Dulux’s sky-blue water-based paint, named Mineral Mist. The soothing shade is just one of many in this collection, offering a high-sheen finish after a six-hour drying time. The low-odour formula can be used on door frames, skirting boards and even radiators that need livening up. It comes in a range of colours and finishes including Satinwood and Eggshell, in addition to Gloss.
Want pure brilliant white? Find it here.
Buy now £14.74, Amazon
Valspar Premium Wood & Metal Interior Gloss Basecoat, Base C, 2.5L Emerald Temple
Itching to try something other than white or magnolia? Valspar has a huge range of water-based interior paint to colour your home happy. If you want to feel like you’re living in a jewellery box (and really, who doesn’t?), this forest green paint should do nicely.
It will cover both wood and metal (which means you can paint your radiators with it too) and once dry, offers remarkable scrubbability, scuff and stain resistance. Make sure you remove all old paint with sandpaper before you start to get a smooth, even finish.
Buy now £42.00, B&Q
Wilko Quick Dry Interior Wood Pure Brilliant White Gloss Paint 750ml
Want to keep it pure and simple? Wilko’s budget buy is perfect for speedy spruce-ups on trims and furniture around the home, working as well on metal as it will on wood. Expect a light coat to be touch dry within two hours, and less hassle cleaning brushes too - just run them under a tap and they’ll be as good as new. It is ideal for making yellowing and aged woodwork look like new.
Buy now £11.49, Wilko
Farrow & Ball Modern Matt Emulsion Paint Hague Blue No.30 - 2.5L
You’ll find Farrow & Ball’s weird and wackily-named shades splashed across the walls of elite residences, from Windsor Castle and Belgravia to multi-million dollar mansions in LA.
If you want to join the club, the brand has a range of water-based paint to elevate your interiors with a decidedly National Trust-aesthetic. This can contains Farrow & Ball’s highest-shine finish, covering both woodwork and metal accents. Use with a primer and undercoat base to achieve a solid, high pigment colour that should stay looking great for up to six years.
Considered the first “designer paint”, this stuff is undeniably expensive. If you’re on a budget, stick to trims and skirts to make it stretch further.
Buy now £59.00, Homebase
Lick Red HTK 57 Matt 2.5L
Lick has teamed up with Heinz to create 570 limited-edition tins of energising red paint. A fun choice to cover the whole kitchen, highlight trims or simply create an accent feature, this emulsion can paint all sorts of surfaces, from metal radiators and woodwork to plastered walls and ceilings.
Buy now £45.00, Lick
Crown Easyclean Greaseguard+ Kitchen Matt Washable Multi Surface Paint Aftershow - 2.5L
Only for the brave, dark paint colours can make a striking change to large kitchens. Crown's formula, called Aftershow, can be used across multiple surfaces, making it ideal for those who hanker after the colour-drench effect. It's also washable and has Greaseguard+ technology, for added grease protection.
Buy now £23.00, Homebase
