Painting kitchen cabinets

Lindsey
by Lindsey
I have a mobile home with the usual oak colored kitchen cabinets. I had planned to sand them and restain them, but I'm also thinking of painting them. There are 18 doors with 1/2" grooves about 2" from the outside edges. My kitchen has bright, fruit wallpaper and vinyl floor tile with mixtures of tan and gray (which I am thinking of replacing). The countertop is white laminate with purple trim (may also replace with new laminate). I really don't want white cabinets, but can't decide what color(s) would be best. Any suggestions? I want to keep the kitchen bright and cheerful. There is a large window over the sink and another one on the other side of the room that let light in.
  10 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 26, 2016
    My honest opinion if you are thinking about rerplacing the floor and the countertop I would postpone painting until your color schemes for that are chosen.
  • Nancy Oden Nancy Oden on Jan 26, 2016
    I think Janet has a good idea...then you can plan your color scheme around the bright wall paper you seem to like and plan to keep...maybe you could get flooring, countertop and cabinets in colors that either blend or match the color in your wallpaper..the only prob would be getting a sample of the wallpaper to take w you to the paint store and or to the builder supply..if there is any place that you could snip a little piece of the wallpaper...or maybe take a close up pic ..but an actual piece of the paper is best...then go from there...I want to change my white cabinets to that jadite green so im gonna take a piece of jadite ..bowl or cup..and go from there...Sherwin Williams will match most anything color wise..good luck..sounds like fun...also...look on some of these sites that tell how to decorate and upgrade mobile homes...its amazing what u can do w a little elbow grease and or imagination!!!
    • Lindsey Lindsey on Jan 26, 2016
      @Thank You Nancy Oden Great suggestions. Since the colors are bright, I wouldn't need anything to match up. But I think I probably have some leftover paper, anyway. I used to have individual green and white vinyl tiles on the floor and loved it. But I decided to put laminate down. Unfortunately, my ice maker leaked and the laminate was ruined. Of course, I couldn't find enough of the green and white to re-do it.
  • Nancy Oden Nancy Oden on Jan 26, 2016
    wanted to add one more thing...I use chalk paint all the time on all my little projects...and you might want to think about chalk paint on your cabinets...it isnt cheap but its getting better as more and more companies are coming out w versions of it..lots of colors available and its really good for the Do It Yourselfer...you can distress it or leave it as is...beautiful with a wax finish on it..just another idea for u Good luck to you!! would love to see before and after if you have a mind to post them
  • Linda Linda on Jan 26, 2016
    Good Morning Linsey, I am redoing my cabinets too! Decided that white paint was to heavy looking so im white washing them. Love It!!! You can also do the wash in different colors it takes a little time then painting but it looks great!!! I would however wait to pick a color after replacing the floor and counter top. The cabinet color will be easy to blend but matching the floor to the cabinets I think would be harder. Have fun!!!
  • Barbara Barbara on Jan 26, 2016
    I agree with Janet in waiting to paint the cabinets until you've selected your flooring. Are you planning on repapering? When I had a mobile home years ago, I repapered the kitchen with light wall paper in soft blues, yellows and pinks and then selected the soft blue to paint my cabinets, but I could have gone darker into a gray-blue. We had that mobile home for 15 years and never had to touch the cabinets again (but like you had 17 or 18 doors!! labor intensive). I sanded (by hand, didn't have sander), washed with TSP and cleaned with moist towels and allowed to dry. Then laid a base coat and two coats of Sherman Williams semi-gloss paint. I loved the finished kitchen! Good luck!
    • Lindsey Lindsey on Jan 26, 2016
      @Thank You Barbara No, I love my wallpaper. I'm a person who finds what I like and stays with it. It's held up remarkably well for about 10 years, maybe longer. I appreciate your telling me how you re-did yours. It's always more work than is anticipated! I have a hand sander, but I've never used it. Guess I'll learn how to do that, too!
  • Klaudia Dollbaum Klaudia Dollbaum on Jan 26, 2016
    Use chalk paint on the cabinets. It is great to work with , easy and looks great plus you have many color options. I have done several projects and am very pleased.
  • Bernadette Tetle Bernadette Tetle on Jan 26, 2016
    While I love chalk paint, be careful using it in a kitchen. I'm not sure cooking grease will damage the finish of your cabinets. I painted my kitchen cabinets and use oil based paint. They are a breeze to clean, even with cleaners that are designed to remove grease.
  • Lindsey Lindsey on Jan 26, 2016
    I'll have to check with the paint store about chalk paint, based on your suggestions. There's no rush, I'm just in the planning stages. Thanks to everyone! Great ideas!
  • Lindsey Lindsey on Jan 27, 2016
    I'm going to do additional research.
  • Carrie Hawk Carrie Hawk on Jan 28, 2016
    Make sure they are wood and do not have a vinyl finish that can be pulled loose. That is awful to work with.