Builder grade laminate bathroom vanity...any way to makeover ?

Clb4real
by Clb4real

Re-do a builder grade European cabinet laminate bathroom vanity? Ugh...short of replacing...

  16 answers
  • Lauren of Mom Home Guide Lauren of Mom Home Guide on Jul 28, 2018

    You could paint the cabinet. I would also add some pretty knobs to the doors. Check out this tutorial: http://www.thepennydrawerblog.com/new-blog/2016/4/23/how-to-paint-laminate-cabinets

  • Sl64 Sl64 on Jul 28, 2018

    I did my kitchen in my last house. Much like the link "Lauren of Mom..." posted (above). My fist plan was to paint the white parts light gray and paint the oak strips and frames navy. It was hideous! It looked like builder grade European laminate cabinets painted gray and navy. Then I painted everything navy. It was a definite transformation. The original look was gone and with the addition of nickel knobs and pulls it looked like a totally new kitchen.

  • JartsyDesigns JartsyDesigns on Jul 28, 2018

    YES!! If you want as mentioned previously, paint is always an option. Just make sure you really prep your cabinets first! There are many articles on the site about painting laminate as well as the thermafoil laminate cabinets I am getting ready to do! If you are looking for counter top ideas, paint is one but there are some AMAZING products on the market now that are thick vinyl adhesive rolls of "contact paper". I have purchased several and I am very happy. Also, the tiles you peel and stick by Aspect and Art3D on Amazon are great! Lastly, so I don't go on forever, you could cover the front of your cabinets with the same vinyl material and add knobs and pulls.

    https://www.amazon.com/VeryBerrySticker-Granite-Contact-Adhesive-Peel-stick/dp/B01KEPZVN6/ref=pd_ybh?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01KEPZVN6&pd_rd_r=W5FFTTXPGFS2M800N45V&pd_rd_w=XZwu4&pd_rd_wg=PAhc7&psc=1&refRID=W5FFTTXPGFS2M800N45V


    Good Luck!


    • Clb4real Clb4real on Jul 29, 2018

      Thank you! Would love to do countertop as well. The rolls of adhesive that look like granite...look great...but I am concerned about seams?

  • Alice Alice on Jul 28, 2018

    can get just new cabinet fronts made to your liking - contact local carpenters.

  • William William on Jul 29, 2018

    Make sure they are clean and dry. Remove the doors and hardware. Mark the doors and cabinets with tape where they go. Lightly sand the doors and cabinets to remove any gloss and roughen the surface for paint with 120- to 220-grit sandpaper. Use a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust after sanding. Prime with a stain blocking primer like Zinsser 123, KILZ,or BIN and have it tinted to the color of the top coat. This will prevent dark or stained surfaces from showing through the top coat. Acrylic, or water-base, paints are low-fume and clean up easily with water. Alkyd, or oil-base, paints require good ventilation because the paint contains solvents that can irritate your lungs and make you feel sick. Alkyd options require mineral spirits for cleanup, but they provide a hard, durable paint finish. Whichever you use, buy the best-quality paint you can afford for a lasting kitchen cabinet finish. Seal with at least three coats with a water based polyurethane. Use a small foam roller and foam brush for a smooth finish.

    • Clb4real Clb4real on Jul 29, 2018

      Thank you! Roughing the surface...wouldn’t it leave sanding marks in the laminate? Wouldn’t a good primer adhere without sanding?

  • William William on Jul 29, 2018

    Using a high grit sandpaper will leave such small scratches the primer will cover them. You need a "tooth" for primer and paint. Had done it this way for years.

  • William William on Jul 30, 2018

    Please post your project here when you get to it.

  • Ed Ed on Aug 25, 2018

    Hi. To make your cabinets more modern before painting them, add a strip of 2 1/2” wide lattice mounding (Home Depot in the mouldings section) on the sides and bottom on your cabinet doors and drawers. Do straight corners — not miter corners. Fill any gaps with wood filler and sand smooth. Then sand and paint the entire door (including the existing oak trim) in a single color of your choice, using the techniques suggested by others above. See the attached pic for a feel of the look you can achieve. Of course, yours will have a different top side. Let us know how it goes. Good luck!

  • Ed Ed on Aug 25, 2018

    Here are pics. I mentioned above.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 06, 2022

    Mod Podge and fabric on it or Wallpaper, or Picture Frame Panel or Contact Paper etc.

  • Mogie Mogie on Dec 07, 2022

    Contact paper.

  • MarianM MarianM on Dec 08, 2022

    If I could replace the handles, it would look much prettier, maybe change the color. Here are some tips on how to transform furniture .


  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 08, 2022

    Peelable wallpaper or easy to remove contact paper, Amazon has many to offer.

  • I have seen these cabinets painted - you can paint laminate!

  • Deb K Deb K on Oct 05, 2023

    Hello, I would chalk pint it all one color, then if you wanted to, add some decorative handles or knobs in a new modern color like brushed nickel or rubbed bronze.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 06, 2023

    You can buy a Primer for Laminate to allow you to paint it. Ask at your DIY store! You could also decide to cover it with something like Contact or even Vinyl wallpaper or you could stick on new fronts. Enjoy the project!