By painting kitchen cabinets, you can avoid the costly consequences of major renovations and significantly improve your kitchen. However, some problems may arise during this process. One of the questions is whether to paint the interior of the kitchen cabinets. Since the interior of the kitchen cabinet is mostly hidden from view, there is an option to paint it. In this article, we’ll take a closer look and answer that question, as well as discuss some other painting techniques.
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Should You Paint Inside Kitchen Cabinets?
The interior of most cabinets is usually unpainted. It doesn’t matter if the kitchen cabinets are painted or not.
Cabinet interiors are usually adequately protected from oil vapors adhering to the exterior of the cabinets, so you can do whatever you want.
However, the cabinet doors must be painted on both sides.
This should be easy as you have to remove it before painting the door.
Still, if the interior of your kitchen cabinet has been painted before, it’s a good idea to touch it when you repaint it.
If you do eventually decide to draw the interior, one thing to note is that it is not as easy a process as drawing the exterior, as most interiors have very limited access.
Painting the interior of kitchen cabinets takes more effort than most people think. Painting the back and tackling the corners are two very difficult things.
You should also consider paint chip particles that may be present on kitchen utensils and tools.
This doesn’t always happen, but if the paint isn’t done properly, these cabinets will have paint stains on them no matter what you store in them. Another thing to consider before making a decision is the cabinet situation.
If the cabinets are in order, you’re probably painting for the decor and don’t need to paint the interior.
However, if you are painting your cabinets to extend their life and extend their life, you may want to paint the inside of them for complete protection.
Why Should You Paint the Inside of Cabinets?
People who avoid spray painting the inside of kitchen cabinets do so to escape the complicated process. However, they miss out on many of the benefits of choosing to paint this part of the cabinet.
Read on to find out why you might want to reconsider skipping painting the interior of your kitchen cabinets.
- 1. Create a comparison
Contrast is an important design choice. For example, if you’re trying to dress things up a bit, you might want a bright interior to contrast nicely with a dark exterior, and vice versa.
Painting can be ideal if this is the result you want to achieve. All you need to do is pick a color on the color wheel that is the direct opposite of the cabinet’s exterior color and you’re done.
- 2. Match the cabinet door
If you like your kitchen to look the same from the inside out, what could be better than a splash of fresh paint?
By painting, you can choose the same paint color for the cabinet doors and cabinet interior. This is a great way to create a more cohesive look in your kitchen.
- 3. Display purpose
If your kitchen cabinet doors have see-through windows, matching the door color to the interior can be especially helpful. Interior paint helps create uniformity even if you’re looking through a window.
Or, you can have a favorite color that you want to display in your kitchen. In this case, you can choose to paint the interior in this color and make people love it. This is especially true for cabinets with open or glass fronts.
This design allows you to effortlessly show off your favorite color, which requires painting the interior.
- 4. Satisfy personal preferences
Many of the interior design choices we make for a home or living space are inspired by our personal preferences. The interior of kitchen cabinets is no exception.
You can choose to paint these interiors because you can and you prefer to paint. So doing this can be done to suit personal preference.
- 5. Prevent the cabinet from rotting
Kitchen cabinets are always adequately protected from moisture and other factors that can cause wood to rot. However, there is no harm in making prudent mistakes.
Therefore, you may choose to paint the interior just to add an extra layer of protection, especially if there is a high chance of frequent spills in the cabinets.
The added layer of paint can largely waterproof the wood, preventing it from rotting.
Disadvantages Of Painting the Inside of Cabinets?
Now, before you get all excited and ready to paint the inside of your cabinets, you may need to take it easy as there are a few issues that can arise while doing this job. Methods as below:
- 1. Large paint area
The first thing that will definitely give you trouble is the area to cover.
Chances are you have a set of cabinets along the same wall rather than just one; think about how much time you need to invest in each cabinet!
- 2. Inaccessibility
Unless you’re building a cabinet from scratch, you’ll have to stand in odd postures for long periods of time trying to reach all the corners of the cabinet.
This is because in most cases, the cabinets are already fixed to the wall, which means you can’t turn or move them according to your ease, which can end up making it difficult to get to all the places.
Imagine yourself not even seeing the roof inside the cabinet; however, this inaccessibility is not limited to the roof, it applies to all sides and bases, making the process even more difficult.
- 3. Paint and its durability
Since cabinets are often placed in damp places, such as bathrooms or kitchens, the paint is likely to chip and ruin anything you store in the cabinets.
This can be very detrimental in the long run, as chipped paint often attracts critters and can also leave marks on your stuff.
This process also requires a lot of extra paint and can easily be avoided, reducing cost, labor, and time.
You’ll also need to touch up frequently to keep the paint from peeling, so using a lot of material is unavoidable in this case.
How to Paint Inside of Kitchen Cabinets
Painting the inside of kitchen cabinets requires a lot of elbow grease, but it’s fairly straightforward if you know the steps to follow. More importantly, you need to have the right work supplies.
Materials and tools for painting inside of cabinets:
- Paint
- Primer
- Caulk (optional)
- Brush
- Sandpaper
- Drop cloth
- Painter’s tape
- Hand gloves
- Screwdriver or cordless drill
- Pliers (optional)
- Rags
Painting kitchen cabinet interiors step by step:
Once you have everything ready, you can start the process. Always check back to make sure everything you need is available to avoid stopovers.
step 1. Preparing the kitchen for remodeling tasks
Your kitchen may have a variety of food or food preparation materials. You need to put all of that aside and reorganize the space to complete the refactoring task.
You may also want to cover countertops and other stationary kitchen utensils to avoid staining them with paint and primer or getting them dirty with sand.
Also, cover the floor with a drape or plastic sheeting. This will help collect wood chips and any spills during the project.
Step 2. empty cupboards
You can’t paint what’s inside the cupboard. So, first, remove everything in the cupboard and put it in a safe place. Take everything out of the cupboards and leave them empty.
After emptying the cabinet, clean the cabinet thoroughly to remove all dirt and accumulated dust. You can use a damp cloth to wipe the interior surfaces in preparation for the painting job. After all, dirt has been removed, let it dry completely.
Step 3. Remove doors and drawers
When the cabinets are dry, you can remove the doors and drawers. This part may require the use of tools like screwdrivers and pliers, depending on the type of cabinet hinges.
Paint on handles and hinges can affect the function of cabinet doors. You also need to uninstall it to avoid it getting in the way of your work and reducing your productivity.
Once you unwrap and remove the car door, you will need to not reattach it until the last coat has dried.
Make sure to label all the parts you remove for easy reassembly later. You need to point out where everything is before taking it apart. This will help you avoid any confusion.
Step 4. Sand the inner surface and plug if necessary
First, inspect the surface for cracks or grooves. If there are cracks, plug them to seal the cracks. In this case, your project will take longer because you have to wait for the filling material to dry completely.
When applying caulk, be sure to read the label and let it dry within the recommended time.
You can also use wood putty to fill cracks and holes in wood, but caulk is often the seal of choice for cabinet and kitchen projects.
After the sealant is dry and the surface is completely dry, sand the surface to be painted with 220-grit sandpaper. Don’t sand too deeply; you just need to sand them to improve adhesion and make them smooth enough to finish the finish.
Step 5. Apply painters tape to the edges
Cover hinges, edges, and any areas that don’t need paint with painters tape. Covering these sections with paint tape will help you get a professional look with ease.
Step 6. Primed
By now, you should have selected the right primer and paint for the job. You can discuss your preferences and options with suppliers or experts in advance. Let them help you choose compatible primers and paints for your project.
Primer is crucial because it helps the paint adhere better. It also stops the stain from seeping through the paint layer.
You can use a paint roller or paint brush to apply the primer of your choice. First, make sure you have a high-quality natural bristle brush. Then follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time and number of coats.
Step 7. paint
You will most likely use latex or acrylic latex paint on your cabinets. These paint types are water-based and therefore have lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
This quality means they don’t emit a lot of toxic fumes that could linger around the kitchen long after use. Such fumes and strong odors are often associated with paints and sealants and are not suitable for use in the kitchen.
Regardless of the type of paint you choose, unless you choose an aerosol, your application method may be limited to using a brush or roller. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and allow each coat to dry completely before recoating.
After applying the final coat, allow the print job to dry completely. Drying time can be 24 to 48 hours. However, it may take a few days for the paint to fully cure.
We recommend letting parts that were removed prior to painting be allowed to dry a day or two longer than specified before reattaching them.
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What To Avoid When Painting Kitchen Cabinet Interiors
It takes a little time to refinish the inside of the cabinets, so the last thing you want is an unsatisfactory result.
Thankfully, knowing what to do and what to avoid can help you achieve the desired results. In the previous section, you have seen what to do. Now, here are some common cabinet painting mistakes to avoid.
- Skip the primer
Primer helps ensure the paint adheres, making it more durable. Failure to apply a primer can cause chipping or stain bleed problems in the paint film. This will ruin your paint job.
- Failed to remove the door
Removing the door will increase the working range, but it is essential to help you achieve better results. Keeping the door intact can also delay the drying of painted surfaces by reducing airflow.
- Doors and hardware not marked properly
Remembering where and what happened can be a challenge during the process of reconnecting hardware. Labeling them always helps you remember everything more easily.
Apply a thick coat of paint to the inside of the cabinets
A thin layer of paint on the inside of the cabinet dries faster. Applying thick layers can cause drying issues, making the project take longer than expected.
- Skip drying time
If you don’t let the cabinets dry long enough, you can easily end up with markers and paint chips. Painted surfaces will usually dry within a few hours, but may take a few days to fully cure.
You’ll need to find out from your supplier how long the curing process will take to allow them to dry properly.
Alternatives To Painting The Inside of Kitchen Cabinets
f you’re renting a house or condo, you probably don’t have the landlord’s permission to paint the interior of the kitchen cabinets. Then again, you may have your own home, but it doesn’t feel like enough to paint any element of the kitchen.
Fortunately, there are other options besides painting the inside of kitchen cabinets that can be used in both rental and own spaces.
1. Removable shelf liner
Removable shelf liners are a great option because you can apply and remove them without damaging the material.
Shelf liners come in a variety of colors and designs to add interest to your kitchen cabinets.
2. Detachable wallpaper
You can also find removable wallpapers in a variety of colors and patterns.
They are similar to shelf liners in that they are self-adhesive and can be applied and removed without damage or residue.
3. Change the arrangement
If you want to skip the removable shelf liners or wallpaper, you can always change the arrangement of treats or items in the cupboard.
Conclusion
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, you can paint your kitchen cabinets. It all depends on how you want to decorate your kitchen.
Remember, wood is resistant to paint’s oil vapors, and you don’t have to let current trends stop you from painting the interior of your cabinets. All you need to do is decide on a new design for your cabinets.
If you want to change the mood and add visual interest to your kitchen, consider painting the inside of the cabinets.
