A kitchen is a gathering place and the focal point of the home—and most designers and homeowners will tell you that the cabinets are a key element.
If you’re reading this, you probably agree and have several inspiration photos of what you’d like your dream kitchen to look like. Refreshing or completely changing the color of your cabinets is an affordable way to achieve this transformation, which is why many homeowners consider taking on a DIY cabinet painting project.
Be careful though—painting cabinets yourself may seem like a cost-effective option now, but in the long run, it can bring an array of pricey problems.
Here are some of the most common cabinet painting mistakes we encounter, and how to prevent them with custom color cabinet refinishing.
#1 – Picking The Wrong Color
You want a kitchen that fits your unique style, but some homeowners make the mistake of taking this way too far. Trendy cabinet colors can quickly turn into regret that’s costly and difficult to reverse.
It’s best to stick with a more neutral cabinet color than adding pops of color in less permanent ways. For example, choose a light or dark wood stain, or a custom finish in the color families of white, beige, grey, or black. These colors are far less likely to turn off potential buyers in the future, or even yourself when your tastes change.
Top designers agree that a more neutral color palette for cabinets not only ups the resale value of your home but provides a more inviting feel for your family and guests.
But don’t worry—you don’t have to sacrifice color and personality in order to avoid this painting faux-pas. Add these elements with rugs, barstools, hardware, or dishes—items that are more easily changeable and can evolve easily as your style preferences do.
#2 – Underestimating Square Footage
Just because a cabinet color looks incredible in a photo you found online doesn’t mean that same result will translate into your own kitchen.
Be mindful of the size of your space and choose a cabinet color that will compliment what you’re working with. For example, dark colors can make a smaller room feel even tinier, so choose a lighter cabinet color instead. If your kitchen lacks natural light, add some brightness with lighter cabinets. Or if many of your finishes are white and bright and your kitchen is a decent size, consider darker cabinets to add contrast.
#3 – Not Anticipating The Time Commitment
Many homeowners assume that painting cabinets is easy and can be completed quickly after watching a few videos on YouTube. However, a lot more goes into a cabinet painting project than you might think.
Between removing cabinets and hardware, prepping the surfaces, draping off your work area, and applying all the coats of paint and finish, this project can easily take a week or more of long workdays to complete. Plus, the results often aren’t of the quality you’d hoped for.
The cost of hiring a professional to refinish your cabinets for you can actually save you time and money in the long run, and also helps ensure that the job is done right.
#4 – Preparing Cabinet Surfaces Wrong
Adequate prep is one of the most important—and often disregarded—steps in the cabinet painting process. Oils, grease, and build-up on cabinets can prevent the paint from going on properly. This can lead to chipping and peeling, as well as bumpy or uneven cabinet surfaces.
It’s helpful to utilize a professional cabinet refinishing company that has special cleaning solutions designed particularly for cabinets to avoid this common mishap.
#5 – Using Paint And Primer That Will Harm Your Cabinets
Even if you’re tempted to, don’t avoid priming your cabinets prior to painting. And even more importantly, make sure you use the right type of primer and paint on your cabinet surfaces.
Many DIY projectors and even professional painters use latex paint designed for walls on cabinets. However, this type of paint isn’t durable enough for cabinets. The paint is also often brushed on—leaving behind unwanted drips and brush stroke marks.
Cabinet Refinishing In Hartford, Connecticut
Don’t worry—N-Hance has a solution for all of your cabinet painting woes. Our acrylic-polyurethane blend custom cabinet colors resist scratches, chipping, and peeling. Plus, we add an industrial-strength topcoat that is instantly cured using a UV light—leaving a factory life finish that’s safe for normal handling immediately.
Let N-Hance of Northern Hartford County take changing your cabinet color from your to-do list and handle the process for you! Our professional knowledge and reliable methods will ease your mind from start to finish.
Ready to get started? Schedule your FREE price estimate today!