How To Update Cabinets with Paint + Life Lately

Today I am sharing how I updated our kitchen cabinets using Valspar Cabinet and Furniture Enamel. I’ll share how to update cabinets with paint, and my honest opinion on the products I used…Plus a little life lately.

I originally painted my kitchen cabinets all white in 2017. They were originally a medium oak, and honestly, had seen better days. Some of the glossy finish was lack luster, and the whole kitchen felt drab. I had seen several who had painted their cabinets with great success. I learned how to update cabinets with paint, and I am SO glad I did. Painting them was a breeze. I used Valspar Bonding Primer, and my favorite latex paint. They held up wonderfully for a few years. Recently though, the paint had started to wear. Especially the base cabinets.

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I recently saw this Valspar Cabinet and Furniture Enamel at Lowes. It claims to give the cabinets a “factory like finish”. I had previously used an enamel paint on my stairs, and knew that it really did set up to an almost factory like finish. Very hard, and very durable. I thought I’d give this paint a try for the cabinets.

Since I had previously painted my cabinets, I didn’t need primer. However, this paint product boasts that you don’t need to use primer even on shiny surfaces. I can’t vouch for this claim, but I can say the paint did meet, maybe even surpass, my expectations. IT does have special instructions based on your furniture material, so be sure to read the can if you plan to use it.

It took three good coats before I was pleased with the finish. The paint also claims that it doesn’t leave brush marks, and I can say it did not on mine. I used my favorite two inch brush to paint all of the cabinets doors and faces. There are no visible brush strokes.

The paint needs to “cure” on the cabinets for about 3 days before the finish really sets up, and I’ve got to admit, it did. I’ve taken my fingernails and scratched them pretty aggressively. Not a chip or nick in sight.

I chose the color Natural tan by Sherwin Williams for the base cabinets. Truthfully, I was hoping for a little more “wow”, but it turns out you can hardly tell the difference between the white upper cabinets, and the tan base cabinets. I do love the color, though. It is the exact color as the outside of my antique crocks. Subtle enough to blend in, and enough color to be different. Really, a very happy medium.

Tips for how to update cabinets with paint

Before any paint touches the cabinets, give them a good clean. A tiny speck of dust really stands out when you put a little paint over it. Trust me on that. 😉
Take the cabinet doors off. I didn’t do this. I got a little lazy and totally skipped this step. Every day I wish I wouldn’t have. I just slapped paint over the hinges the first time around. While it saved me tons of time, the hinges don’t look so great. I’ll probably end up replacing all of them at some point.
Use a GOOD primer. I know I tell you all almost every DIY post how much I love the Valspar Bonding Primer. It’s simply because it’s the best I’ve ever used. Try it for your next project. Trust me on this too.
Be ok with the fact that you will still be able to see a wood grain. This really doesn’t bother me, but some people do not like the fact that painted cabinets always look like painted cabinets. Even with the cabinet enamel I used, you can still see the wood grain. Embrace the cozy texture it gives your kitchen. 😉
Apply thin coats of whatever paint you use, and just do three or more of them. Nobody wants paint runs on their kitchen cabinets.

Life Lately

We had a really nice week. We were hoping to finish 8th grade this week, but we didn’t quite make it. hopefully next week! With the weather being so ice we’ve spent the majority of our time outside. I plan to get the garden planted this evening, and I can not wait.

We have 36 eggs in our incubator. They should be hatching within the next two weeks. I am so excited to see how many hatch, and what the babies look like. These are all for my parents, Hopefully I’ll hatch out some for us soon.

I didn’t get the kitchen finished. I still need to paint the upper cabinets with a fresh coat of white paint. I’ve also been trying to decide if I want to keep the black hardware. I’ve been leaning towards an muted brass color. We’ll see.

I’ve been doing a little rearranging around the inside, and some major cleaning. It’s been so nice to have less stuff. I’ve been in a little decluttering slump. I need a push to get this last bit of clutter GONE. Hopefully that hits soon and I can officially call myself a minimalist. lol

That’s it from me today. As always thank you SO much for spending a tiny part of your day here with me. Talk to you soon!