Do I have to paint the inside of this cabinet?

Leanne
by Leanne

Okay I'm all over the place but I decided to do the bathroom vanity before the other peice bc I already have the paint. I started and took off all of the hardware. Can I leave the brackets for the door on? Theyre on the inside of the cabinet. Seems like too much trouble to take then off. I'm worried I won't be able to get them back on. Also do I have to paint the Inside of the vanity. I'm painting the outside navy blue. ** I added this gorgeous floral wallpaper on the inside. Now I don't want to put the doors back on. Lol. Thank you all for your help



  19 answers
  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Feb 12, 2020

    I wouldn't paint the inside. Replace the paper. If you want to brighten the inside, you can paper the walls too. I would add an under the sink shelf that works around the pipes.

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Feb 12, 2020

    You don’t need to paint the inside! But you will want to paint the edges where the doors sit - you’ll see that. Just replace that shelf liner and it’ll look great!

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Feb 12, 2020

    I would not paint the inside - it will get scratched with stuff. Maybe get some new contact paper, remove the floral stuff, and apply contact paper - you could do it on all the inside not just the bottom!

  • Tom Stuart Tom Stuart on Feb 12, 2020

    I redid a similar vanity. These hinges can be taken off and replaced easily. Take out the paper and scrub everything down with a good cleaner. I repainted mine with a high-gloss white. This is a dark area and can use the extra light plus it’s easy to wipe clean. (I have a friend who painted hers a lime green because it made her happy when she opened the door. It won’t show from outside so you can go for any color or paper.)


    Kathy is right about the shelf. It will provide more storage. A simple ledger strip along the sides should hold a light shelf. Baskets will help with organization.

  • Gk Gk on Feb 12, 2020

    I wouldn't paint the inside. Just clean it well and replace the contact paper. I used some leftover peel and stick vinyl tiles on the floor of my bathroom vanity. You can buy just a few at Home Depot rather than a whole box. Inexpensive. If you don't want to take off those hinges/brackets just fold them back when you paint.

  • The Baroness 🌹 The Baroness 🌹 on Feb 12, 2020

    Great idea !!!

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Feb 12, 2020

    The front edge of the sides will probably show and I would verify that they need to be painted.

    If you have flat or matte paint and are good with a cut in brush, then go ahead and work around the hardware.

    If you have gloss cabinet paint and no cut/in brush (Purdy is worth the $) then tape the hardware carefully and buy a high quality cut in brush.


    After you cut out the peeling contact paper and clean those areas, then more contact paper or left over vinyl tile.


    I would paint all the plumbing bits white.

  • Baxter Baxter on Feb 12, 2020

    The front inside edges of the cabinet will not show so you won't have to paint the cabinet interior unless you choose. The hinges are not attached on the front or outside of the cabinet so you won't have to "cut in" around them---just push them inside while you paint. After removing the old contact paper and cleaning the interior, buy some peel & stick vinyl tiles and lay them on the floor of the cabinet--or find a contact paper that accents the blue nicely. Those inexpensive stacking cabinet shelves are great for increasing space and keeping things organized. Good luck!

  • Simple Nature Decor Simple Nature Decor on Feb 12, 2020

    the brackets are easy to take off, use a good electric screw driver that will help you. otherwise cover them with painters tape.

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Feb 12, 2020

    Leanne...You could use tiles or you could use vinyl plank look...or use another contact paper Hope this helps a little.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Feb 13, 2020

    I would just fold them in and cover with painter's tape.

  • Linda Linda on Feb 13, 2020

    You can leave the brackets on. Maybe put a piece of painters tape over them so paint doesn't get down inside the mechanism. You do not have to paint he inside. I have painted many cabinets and left the inside unfinished. I do however, paint the inside of the doors.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Feb 19, 2020

    You don't have to paint the inside, but it will certainly give it a fresh look. Same with the brackets, you don't have to remove them, but you can likely put them right back using the same holes where you took them off.

  • Dee Dee on Feb 19, 2020

    Leave the brackets and do not paint the inside of the cabinet. It looks fairly clean. I would clean it up and replace the shelf paper to match whatever color you paint the cabinets. Use an artist brush to paint the area on the outside of the brackets. Buy some new knobs or pulls and you are all set.

  • Could just replace with new paper. No need to paint. Sure it will be cool when you finish :)

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Feb 19, 2020

    No paint for inside but new contact paper..

  • Janice Janice on Feb 20, 2020

    Of course you don't have to paint the inside. Just mask off the hinge area and then paint the edges of the inside cabinet that will show when the doors are closed.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Feb 21, 2020

    IMO, It will be a lot faster and easier to paint with the hinges removed, rather than trying to manoeuvre a paintbrush around them. I would remove them one at a time, clean them well, then mark/label both sides of the hinge set from which corner it was removed from.


    It will likely be harder to get all the hinges put back in with a good fit if they get mixed up, as all holes are not created equal.

  • Lucky Home Today Lucky Home Today on Feb 27, 2020

    I would remove the contact paper, paint to match your outside paint, and then install heavy duty baskets which slides out (Rev-a-Shelf is one brand).