How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets White (Our Best Tips)

Are you looking for a simple way to update your kitchen? Painting cabinets can be one of the best ways to update your kitchen while staying on a budget. Use our steps to learn how to paint your kitchen cabinets white with a small roller and brush.

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Considerations Before Painting

If your cabinets are in bad shape structurally, adding paint will not make them better. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself.

• Do the doors close nicely? 
• Is there water damage to your kitchen cabinets? 
• Can all of the drawers slide in and out? 
• Do you mind seeing the wood grain (if your cabinets are oak)?
• Is your kitchen layout acceptable? You can’t fix a kitchen cabinet layout with paint.
• Are you willing to put the time in to properly paint your cabinets?

For the most part, we felt paint was our best chance to make our golden oak kitchen cabinets look modern. We had a few troublesome areas, but nothing major.

Yes, I do still dream of the day of soft-close drawers. However, our painted cabinets helped us cheaply update our kitchen 7 years ago when that was all we could afford.

Recommended Supplies

• Deglosser
• 220 Fine Sandpaper
• Old Rag
• Latex Enamel Paint in Semi-Gloss: We love Sherwin Williams Emerald Trim Urethane Enamel in a white paint of your choice
• Primer
• Brush: We like using Purdy 2 ½” Angular Trim Brush or equivalent from Wooster
• Small High-Density Foam Roller: This roller will give you the smoothest finish when used properly.
• Roller Handle
• Mini Paint Trays: These paint trays are so easy to move around and use.
• Painter’s Tape: I used this brand meant for delicate surfaces, but I actually should have used the classic multi-surface tape)
• Hardware Pulls or Knobs: This is an optional finishing touch. Sometimes just cleaning your old hardware can work out really well.
• Spray paint or new hinges: You can either purchase new hardware, or you can spray paint your current hinges and hardware to fit the new style of your kitchen.
• Wood Filler: If you need to fill old hardware holes or fix blemishes.

Proclassic vs. Emerald Trim Enamel

While the Proclassic Latex Enamel worked well, the first time we used Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel we were hooked. This product gave such a great finish due to having more self-leveling properties.

Now we recommend using Sherwin Williams Urethane Trim Enamel. We have used this line of paint on several cabinet painting projects. While Proclassic Latex Enamel is still great the Emerald Urethane is just another step up.

Read More: Detailed Tutorial About How To Paint Cabinet Doors Using a Foam Roller and Brush

Popular White Paint Colors

We have a whole post with real examples of white-painted cabinets with the most popular white colors. Here are a few of the most popular colors to consider. 

• Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
• Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117
• Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008: A creamy and softer white color
• Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005: We actually used this color in our basement craft room to brighten a small space)
• Sherwin Williams High Reflective White SW 7757: Our upper cabinets are now this color.

How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets White

Before beginning, you want to decide where you are going to paint doors and drawers. Having your painting station set up will make your life easier.

Before You Begin: Draw A Map

If you have a large kitchen, you may want to draw a little map of how you labeled the doors. The last thing you want is not to be able to remember where things go back when you are done.

Step 2: Roughen Up The Cabinet Surface With Sandpaper

Lightly sand with fine sandpaper or fine sandpaper block to rough up the gloss on our current surface. You do not need to go overboard with this. Just a little scuffing up will do.

Step 3: Wipe Down All Surfaces With A Deglosser

Use a deglossing agent with a rag to wipe down cabinet frames, drawers and doors. Make sure to completely clean all parts. You do not want anything greasy left over.

Wear a latex glove or rubber glove for this, especially if you have sensitive skin. Make sure to read all safety guidelines when using new products.

Step 4: Prep With Painter’s Tape

If you don’t think you can be careful, you may want to tape the inside of your cabinet inside the “lip”. You also may want to tape around the front of the drawers so that you have a clean look when you are finished.

Step 5: Prime All Surfaces With A Brush and Small Foam Roller

Completely prime all oak. Setting up a paint station for your drawers and doors will really help you. We normally paint on 2 x 4’s in our basement and will even have 2 x 4s on a sawhorse and rotate the doors that way. 

The great thing about the drawers is that they can just be propped upright. Also, you can almost roll the primer and paint on without too much brushwork. 

Step 6: Continue With Primer and Check For Drips

Make sure to cover all oak with primer. Use a brush for the grooves and a small roller for all the flat areas. Don’t forget about the edges of the doors and drawers.

Pro Tip: Looking at them from multiple angles will ensure you have covered all surfaces and make sure that you have cleaned up any drips that may have occurred.

If any drips happen and you miss them, you will have to sand them down (unless you want a bumpy cabinet). So it is always easier to spend a little extra time just checking for drips on each step.

Step 7: Use Primer On Both Sides Of The Doors

The front and back of the drawers should be able to be painted/primed at the same time because you should be able to prop them up. Once the primer is dry, you will have to flip the door over and do the front side. 

We recommend starting to paint the backside of the doors first to ensure the smoothest finish and longest dry time on the front.

Step 8: Continue With Primer and Let It Completely Dry

The primer should be dry in a few hours. Read the can for the dry time.

I always continue the next step the next day. The last thing you want to do is flip a door over and ruin the work you just did because it wasn’t fully dry.

While you are waiting for doors and drawers to dry, start to prime the cabinet boxes.

Step 9: Begin Using Latex Urethane Trim Enamel White Paint

Following the same brush and roller procedure, apply the latex enamel paint. Let dry and then add a second coat to the drawers, doors, and cabinet base. 

Step 10: Let Dry and Paint A Second Coat

Make sure that you evenly paint the sides and all parts of the drawers, doors, and cabinet frame. It is very easy to miss a spot.

Looking at your cabinet and box parts from all angles, helps you see if you missed any spots. Even asking for another set of eyes to check is always helpful.

Optional Step: Add A Third Coat Of Paint

If you think you need a third coat, feel free.

Step 11: Let Paint Cure Fully and Add Hardware

Once the paint is cured, reattach doors with either new hardware or old hardware. We have sprayed paint hinges and hardware before, but for this kitchen makeover, we bought all new hinges, pulls, and knobs. 

Please note that if you have previous holes in your doors and drawers, then it is just easiest to find hardware that matches the distance. We were lucky and our cabinets had only knobs so we were able to get any sized pulls and drill a new hole where we wanted.

If you are changing the dimensions of your hardware, you will need to fill those holes before the whole painting process begins.

DIY Cabinet Painting Tips

• You can replace or spray paint old hardware and hinges for a fresh look. We chose to replace our hinges and buy new hardware. You wouldn’t believe the difference a new hinge makes. 
• Set up a proper painting station. Kitchens have way more cabinets than a bathroom, etc. Setting up 2 x 4’s will help you keep the cabinets off the ground or better yet on sawhorses to save your back.
• If you do not want to see the grain at all, you will need to apply a wood grain filler and sand before painting. This is a lot of work and depends on the look you want.
• Properly prep and paint your kitchen cabinets. Do not skimp on the prep. You will be sad in the future.
• A deglosser helps fully clean the paint surface. The deglosser allows the primer to adhere to the varnish or cabinet surface more easily and this will help prevent your paint from chipping.
• “Roughen” up the surface of your cabinet so that the primer can adhere properly. Using Fine sandpaper and a deglosser really helps make sure that your painted cabinets will last for years to come.
• Let the paint fully cure. Ideally 30 days before putting back on your hardware. Do not rush trying to put on new hardware or allow those crazy kids to run around your kitchen too soon.
• Save extra paint for touch-ups over the years. The utensil drawer or places where furniture rubs up against will most likely need a little love over the years.