A quick disclaimer before getting started – the ‘best’ paint for any job is something only you can decide. After all, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

Now we’ve got that out of the way, we’ll move onto the crux of the article. You’ve decided to go ahead and treat your kitchen cabinets to a new lick of paint, but that’s about as far as you’ve got so far. You’re now facing the near-impossible task of deciding which color and finish to go for, acutely aware of the fact that the choice you make will affect the aesthetic of your entire kitchen.

Quite the responsibility, isn’t it?

The good news being that in terms of color choice, it’s almost impossible to go wrong. When it comes to kitchen cabinets, you can easily get away with the kinds of bold and brash colors you wouldn’t normally go near. Keep things subtle or add a blinding blast of color to the room – it’s entirely up to you.

For the most part, therefore, it’s simply a case of determining which type of paint you should use to paint your cabinets. Not to mention, addressing one key question before going any further:

Is Painting The Right Option?

Prior to getting started, you’ll want to establish whether painting your cabinets really is the way to go. Carry out a detailed inspection and note any damage or discrepancies along the way.

If you come across any minor scrapes, chips, cracks and so on, you can repair these prior to painting them. But if there are any clear signs of major structural damage, rot or failing materials, you might want to think about replacing them entirely.

Plus, it’s also worth noting that if you’re dealing with laminate cabinets, they’re not quite as easy to paint as traditional wooden cabinets.

Still, if there’s no more than a little rudimentary damage here and there, your cabinets could be prime candidates for a lick of paint. Address any repairs that warrant your attention, before moving on to the preparation and painting process.

Sand The Surface

Preparing kitchen cabinets essentially means giving everything a good clean, before taking to the surface with some relatively fine sandpaper. The idea being to create a slightly rough surface for the paint to adhere to, rather than gouging away at the wood. Give the whole thing one final clean and you’re ready for the next step.

Choose A Primer

Choosing the right primer is just as important as choosing the right paint. Albeit, significantly easier – simply pick up the highest-quality primer for wooden surfaces you can lay your hands on. Apply it as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions and allow plenty of time to dry.

Oil Or Latex Paints?

You’ll have the option of choosing from a variety of oil or latex paints for your kitchen cabinets. Both of which bring their own unique advantages and disadvantages to the table, which include the following:

• Latex paint has a much shorter initial drying time
• Quality oil paints leave a smoother and firmer finish
• Latex paints are easier to clean up
• Oil paints cure more quickly and are less susceptible to damage

Truth is, it’s possible to produce a fantastic finish with either of the two. What’s more, ask 100 professional painters which they prefer and you’ll be in for a pretty even split. Neither is therefore necessarily ‘better’ than the other – it’s all a case of personal preference.

Choose An Appropriate Finish

However, what’s not up for debate is the importance of choosing an appropriate finish for your kitchen cabinets. It’s worth remembering that kitchen cabinets are subject to the kind of daily abuse that goes beyond that of most interior surfaces. Hence, you need to go for a finish that’s as resistant as possible and easy to clean with a quick wipe.

Across the board, stick with semigloss, gloss or satin paint of your choosing. Under no circumstances is it wise to go with an eggshell or matte finish, as doing so will only cause you one long headache.

Once again, there’s no real right or wrong color to choose for your kitchen cabinets – experimenting with something new is all part of the fun! For more information on any aspect of interior painting or to arrange a consultation with one of our experts, contact a member of the team at Homm CPS today.