Please- How can I makeover my pressed wood kitchen cabinets?

Hi Monicea,

Start by removing the doors and hardware, then clean everything completely. Be sure to number the doors and put the hardware for each door in it's own bag so they don't get lost or mixed up. Use a cleaner like TSP to make sure every bit of hand oils are removed before you start. Lightly sand the surface to make sure the paint will stick, (with pressed wood, sand very lightly, mainly just the paint, not the wood). Clean with a tack cloth then apply a good primer. Let that dry, then use a high number sand paper (220 or 400), followed by wiping all of the dust with a tack cloth. Next use a good paint in the color of your choice. Most companies now have a cabinet paint formula. It's best to use 2 thinner coats of paint instead of one thick coat. You can use a roller on flat surfaces, but you'll need a brush to get into groves and/or trim.

After the first coat dries, again use a high number sandpaper to gently smooth any bumps that appear in the paint then use the tack cloth. Next apply the second coat. With the doors, paint the inside of the door first and watch for side drips. Once the inside is completely dry, flip it over and do the outside. (Tip - raise your doors using hunks of wood or even empty yogurt containers so that paint doesn't stick to your protective covering under the doors. ) Let everything dry, put the hardware back on and hang the doors. Stand back and admire your work. :) Wishing you the best!

Paint them! Laminate can be tricky just make sure to clean, prime and cure between coats. I did mine here if you'd like to see: http://alifeunfolding.com/blog-1/2017/10/12/orc-week-2-updatethe-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly

I would add moldings and pressed wood decorative pieces to the centers to give them some style and class. You can purchase all the supplies at Home Depot in their millworks dept or on line. Good luck and have fun and take pictures!

If you'd like to try some really different try hammered spray paint. Rustoleum makes one that's easy to use. I did this with a mixture of tan and grey colors to the same exact cabinets I had when I lived in NYC and everyone thought they were a designer find. I just LOVED them! Post photos when you're done. Looks like you have lots of good choices! Good luck

I wish I had some. They did look cool. Try it on a small section to test. It costs very little.

Paint.

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.