Attempt all DIY projects at your own risk. Posts should be construed as theoretical advice only.

Kitchen Makeover- cabinets

With our most recent excitement that you can read about here, I decided it might be a good idea to redo my kitchen. I wanted to do a complete renovation of my kitchen but very budget friendly. My kitchen makeover with the cabinets.  Refinishing them is a budget-friendly alternative to installing new cabinets, which can cost thousands of dollars.

I split our kitchen project into 2 posts:

• Part 1:  The Kitchen Cabinets
• Part 2:  The Countertops

Supplies:

• Screwgun
• Permanent marker
• De-greaser such as TSP
• De-glosser
• Painter’s tape
• Caulking
• Latex Gloves
• 220 grit sandpaper
• Rags for cleaning and deglossing
• Paint: we used Behr paint and primer in one
• Paintbrushes:
  • Foam small rollers
  • Regular brushes for cutting the edges

 Let’s get to work!

Directions:

Step 1: Empty out the cabinets

• I found it easiest to remove everything. Plus I kinda didn’t have a choice I had the fire extinguisher ash all over my whole house. It’s pretty amazing how far that travels even though I thought it was in a contained space. But I would have removed everything anyways because it’s a great time to reorganize cabinets.

Step 2: Remove hardware from cabinets

• If you do have handles and knobs that are special per cabinet you will want to label those.
• Tip: You can update the color of your knobs by spray painting them.

Remove hardware with a screwgun or screwdriver. It is very time consuming with a hand screwdriver. I highly recommend using a screwgun.

Step 3: Clean cabinets with a liquid de-greaser

• I used tsp to wipe down all the cabinets to get rid of all that grease that accumulates on kitchen cabinets from cooking…or fires.

Step 4: Use a liquid de-glosser to remove the finish

• Definitely wear gloves. This will be stripping the gloss of the cabinets.
• Pour a small amount onto a rag and then wipe on all cabinets until most if not all of the finish is off.
• Then let the de-glosser dry.

Step 5: Determine what items you will be painting

• Decide whether you would like to paint inside the cabinet boxes. If you decide to paint inside your boxes you will need more time and paint. Ours were still nice enough I didn’t want to add any more work so I kept ours. However, I did paint both sides of the cabinet doors. I think it would have been tacky to not do so.
• Remove all cabinet doors and shelves if you decided to paint those.
• Label as you remove so it will be easier to put back together

Step 6: Lightly sand

• With a fine grit 220 sandpaper, we lightly sanded our cabinet door fronts and boxes

Step 7: Tape and drop cloth your kitchen

• I used painter’s tape to tape around everything I did not want to be painted.
• Then covered the kitchen floor and countertops with painters cloth.

Step 8: Paint

• The most important tip I can give you is to invest in a good quality paint brush and roller as this is a crucial step to the way your finished product will look and it makes the job go so much smoother.
• I painted the door front and 2 of the sides and let dry. Then completed the other side and last 2 sides.
• Painting the drawers I ended up putting them back into their spot and pulled them out 3/4 of the way and using a sponge roller and cardboard boxes on the floor I painted them right on the spot. Once they were dry I could remove them and paint the bottom box.
• If needed I painted a second coat.

Step 9: Put it all back together

Now to stand back and admire the kitchen makeover of the cabinets…as well as try to figure out how to keep it so nice with four kids!

Now, are you ready to tackle the countertops?

Check out our inexpensive countertop remodel here.