WHEN was the last time you updated you kitchen?
It might seem like a daunting task, but it turns out you don't have to break the bank if you spruce it up by painting the cabinets.
In fact, just painting kitchen cabinets can transform a room and make it look brand new - here's how to do it.
How to paint kitchen cabinets?
To paint your cabinets can make your entire kitchen look brand new.
Make sure you put down dust sheets and ensure the area is well ventilated before reaching for a paint brush.
Painting over existing cabinets can modernise and refresh a dull kitchen without costing the earth.
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1. Start by removing the doors
The first step is simply to take the doors off the cabinets to prevent drips and further mess.
You don't want your hard work looking worse than before you started.
Most will be easy to remove by unclipping the hinges, which you can then cover with masking tape so they don't get splattered at all.
You can skip this step if you want, just remember to paint a thin layer, and protect the walls and floor around it.
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2. Remove all handles
Again, this might sound easy or even skippable but removing the handles will make painting much easier.
You can get an even layer of paint with no funny lines around the handle.
3. Clean the doors
This might feel tedious but a clean work surface is crucial to making your kitchen look brand new.
Paint will cling to dirt instead of the door itself, causing peeling and chipping on your freshly decorated cabinets, which is the last thing you want.
4. Sand down the surface
Even surfaces are the goal here and sanding down doors will help reduce any scratches or chips.
A light sand should be enough, 150-250 grit will do it.
Afterwards, make sure you wipe the dust off with a damp cloth and leave it to dry out.
5. Begin painting
Use your brush to paint an even layer across the whole door, getting into all the nooks as you go.
Allow each layer to dry the recommended amount and apply again until you have the desired effect.
You can complete the centre of the door with a roller if you have one to give it a professional appearance.
6. Let it dry and reassmble
Watching paint dry is never an enjoyable task so leave your new cabinets to sit for at least 24 hours so you do not smudge the paint.
Once finished you can reattach the handles or even buy fresh ones to really make the kitchen pop.
Finally reinstall your cabinet doors and enjoy your new kitchen look.
What type of paint to use and how much do I need?
The type of paint can depend on the finish you want.
It's best to start with a primer to keep your paint looking fresh for longer, although some furniture paints don't need one.
The primer type depends on what material your cabinets are made from, if in doubt a universal primer is a great option.
Wood paint or multipurpose paints are perfect for cabinets as they tend to be made from some form of wood or MDF.
Chalk paints can also be used but will need a wax or varnish to seal them so you can keep your kitchen clean.
The amount of paint totally depends on how big your kitchen is, measure the total surface area you need to cover.
Normally you can cover around one square meter for every 13 litres of paint.
You can use this helpful kitchen cupboard paint calculator to work out how much you will need.
Can I paint over high gloss kitchen cabinets?
You'll need to rough high gloss cabinets up a bit before painting them.
Clean the surface with sugar soap and water, making sure to remove all grim and grease.
Use a de-glosser once the cabinets are dry to scuff up the surface.
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Then you can apply a primer to cover the surface ready for you to finally paint the cabinets.
Apply multiple layers of paint until you have the desired colour.
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