Kitchen renovations are popular right now, but it can be difficult to know where to start your remodeling efforts. An easy way to get the ball rolling is to paint your cabinets. This is a great way to change the look of your kitchen without needing to commit to too much. If you’re considering having your cabinets painted, here are a few tips from the experts.

DO – Know Your Cabinets

Knowing your kitchen cabinets is a good way to make sure your project is done correctly. What type of wood or other material are they made of? Do they have any unusual characteristics? This can change the types of finishes and paints that can be applied.

DO – Plan Your Full Kitchen First

If you’re planning to do a full renovation eventually, make sure that you plan your other kitchen finishes before working on your cabinets. Other finishes you may want to include in your plan are wallpaper, paint colors, appliances, or countertops. You don’t want your beautifully painted cabinets to clash with other parts of your remodel. Avoid problems by creating a plan that details out what kitchen features you plan to keep, what you plan to change, and a timeframe for each.

DO – Think About Refinishing

If you haven’t updated your cabinets recently, you may want to consider refinishing your cabinets. Beautiful cabinets with an older looking finish, such as dark oak finishes, can look dated or out of fashion. If you like the build of your cabinets but not the finish and want to modernize them, have them refinished.

DO – Prepare Well

Every good painting project starts with preparation. Your kitchen is a hot spot for grease and dirt buildup. Make sure you clean your cabinets thoroughly before attempting to have them painted. Also, the hardware can be removed by you or your painter and should be kept organized and accessible. This way each pull, bracket, and screw can easily be reattached.

DO – Hire a Professional

A cabinet painting or refinishing project may seem like a simple DIY project, especially if you read many tips for painting your kitchen cabinets. However, a professional is going to have the experience and technical knowledge that you won’t. You may want to try and save money by painting your own cabinets, but it’s likely you’ll either be dissatisfied with your cabinet work or not have the time or ability to finish a project that you start. You may very well need to hire a professional anyway, which could end up costing you more in the long run. Let your painting contractor know your budget and discuss ways you can possibly assist them in the process in order to reduce costs.

DON’T – Have Unrealistic Expectations

Painting can really transform your space. However, it may take other actions, such as switching your appliances to stainless steel, to make your kitchen look brand new. Having realistic expectations can help you keep focused on your end goal. This will also keep you from relying on only one part of your total renovation plan.

DON’T – Rush Your Project

Make sure you budget adequate time for your professional to get your project done. Don’t host a dinner party in the middle, and don’t plan on using your kitchen for the length of time your contractor says the project will take. Making sure you allow for the necessary time to complete the project so you don’t rush your contractor, and potentially cause them to overlook important details, will give you the best results possible for your project.

DON’T – Choose Trendy Over Longevity

Pink cabinets may be trendy now but think how they’ll look in 5 or 10 years. If you don’t want to have your cabinets painted over and over again, you may want to select a timeless color. The color you choose doesn’t necessarily have to be neutral. Popular colors for kitchen cabinets include white, grey, forest green, and beige.

As you think more and more about getting your cabinets painted or refinished, get in touch with our painting professionals at Flying Colors Painting. We’ve been painting and refinishing cabinets since long before it became popular. We’ll take a look, and are happy to provide you with our recommendations, along with our complimentary consultation, and a free estimate.