Update: We have a newer cabinet-painting post with more photos, details, and a video available on our site.

If you can paint a wall— and even if you think you can’t— you can paint your kitchen cabinets. This project follows a few reliable steps that greatly reduce the chance of mistakes. We painted our old knotty pine cabinets soon after moving into our house to hold us over until a full renovation. With a bit of prep and paint, a dark, dated kitchen can become bright and fresh.

After just a few hours of prep and painting, the transformation was dramatic:

Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to repainting cabinets the right way.

Step 1: Plan your look. Bring home paint swatches and choose your color palette before you begin. If you plan to replace hardware, buy it first so you can confirm hole spacing and compatibility. Wash cabinet faces, doors, and drawers with a mild soapy solution to remove grease and grime—clean surfaces will help paint adhere and give a smoother finish.

Step 2: Remove doors and hardware. Take off all knobs, pulls and hinges. Store hardware and screws in labeled bags so nothing gets lost. Lay a drop cloth in a well-lit workspace and place all doors and drawer fronts flat so you can paint them together and access the cabinet frames easily.

Step 3: Fill existing holes. If your new hardware uses different hole spacing, fill the old holes with wood filler. One tube of filler is inexpensive and usually enough. Color matching isn’t critical since you’ll be painting, but choose a filler that’s close to the existing wood tone if you prefer.

Step 4: Sand where needed. Sanding isn’t always required. If the cabinet finish is matte and absorbent, you can often skip sanding and go straight to primer. For glossy or heavily sealed surfaces, lightly sand with fine-grit paper or an electric sander to create a slightly rough surface so primer and paint will bond. If your home is old and paint may contain lead, test for lead before sanding and follow safety precautions.

Step 5: Prime thoroughly. Use an oil-based primer for kitchens to block stains and grease that sometimes bleed through water-based primers. Apply one even coat with a quality roller and use a brush for grooves and tight spots. Choose wool or polyester rollers instead of foam to avoid bubbles. A dedicated brush and roller for priming helps preserve fresh tools for the finish coats.

Step 6: Paint with care. Apply two coats of high-quality latex paint in a semi-gloss or satin finish for durability and easy cleaning. Wait a few hours after priming before painting, and allow proper drying time between coats. Use a fine roller for smooth coverage and an angled brush for edges and detail work. For best results, use new brushes and rollers for the final coats to avoid compromised finishes.

Tip: If you paint the inside faces of doors, paint them first and allow them to cure before flipping and painting the outside to avoid imperfections on the visible side.

Step 7: Allow adequate curing time. After the final coat, wait several days before rehanging doors or handling drawers. Light handling can damage a finish that hasn’t fully cured. Experts typically recommend waiting at least three days; waiting five days when possible provides extra assurance in humid conditions.

Step 8: Reinstall carefully. Reattach hinges, reinstall drawers, and install new hardware. Measure carefully and double-check hole placement before drilling. Taking time when drilling and aligning hardware will prevent unnecessary patching and repainting. Slow, precise work yields the best-looking results.

A note on non-solid-wood cabinets: If your cabinets are laminate, veneered, or otherwise not solid wood, remove a door or drawer and bring it to a paint specialist at your local store for recommendations. Roughing the surface, using a quality oil-based primer or enamel, and allowing proper curing time are essential for a durable finish on these materials.

This covers the essentials of cabinet painting and refinishing. Once the work is done, celebrate your updated kitchen—small investments of time and paint can deliver a huge visual impact. Below are a few before-and-after examples from clients to illustrate what fresh paint can do.

Kim’s original blue kitchen:

Her two-tone makeover after repainting the upper and lower cabinets in complementary colors:

Carla’s kitchen before refinishing:

And after painting the cabinets a crisp, glossy white and updating complementary pieces for a fresh, cohesive look:

It’s amazing what a little paint can do. With a spare weekend or several weeknights, you can refresh your kitchen affordably and effectively. Happy painting!

If you need furniture painting guidance, we also offer a furniture painting tutorial on our site.