Replacing kitchen cabinets costs thousands. Painting them? A few hundred pounds and a weekend of careful work. Here is how to get a factory-smooth finish that actually lasts.
The non-negotiables
1. Degrease properly. Kitchen grease is the number one cause of peeling paint. Sugar soap, twice, then a clean water rinse. Skip this and nothing else matters.
2. Sand between coats. 120-grit to key the surface, then 220-grit between coats. It feels tedious. It is the difference between amateur and professional.
3. Use the right primer. For laminate or melamine cabinets, you need a shellac-based or high-adhesion primer. Standard emulsion primer will not bond.
The full process
For the complete step-by-step — products, drying times, spray vs brush, and the mistakes that ruin finishes — see this how to paint kitchen cabinets like a professional walkthrough from Milo Magazine. It covers the entire UK-specific process including which paints actually survive kitchen humidity.
What it costs
- Primer, paint, sandpaper, brushes/rollers: £80-£150
- New handles/knobs: £30-£80
- Your time: 2-3 days including drying
Compare that to £4,000-£8,000 for replacement cabinets.
While you are at it
If the kitchen refresh has you thinking bigger, this UK heat pump guide covers costs, grants and running costs before you touch the heating. And if the bathroom is next on the list, the bathroom renovation cost breakdown is worth a read.
Happy painting!
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