We always apply the paint to the two sides first, then the front, then the top, then the drawers. Don't overwork the paint, or spend time getting it perfect.
DO NOT paint the sides of the actual drawers. You are only painting the panels attached to the fronts of the drawers.
Although it isn't common practice, painting the inside of your kitchen drawers is certainly possible. It is mostly a matter of style and personal preference. The interior of your drawer boxes will likely feature unpainted wood, but it is almost certainly finished.
There are two good reasons for this: One, finishing the inside of the case helps retard movement due to moisture exchange and two, finishing the insides of the drawers makes for a much nicer utility. The drawers are cleaner and more pleasant to use.
It is a good idea to line your kitchen drawers as they can offer protection from moisture and stains. Liners can also help make your drawers easier to clean and prevent them from becoming scratched or dented from everyday wear and tear.
Painting is not small-space friendly.
Painting inside is do-able, but it's tricky in a small space: everything will be covered in drop cloths and you'll have to step around newly painted pieces and paint cans. And, of course, the project will probably take longer than you think.
While you could line drawers with yesterday's newspapers, there are so many other possibilities. Try leftover fabric, removable wallpaper, oilcloth, or even sheet metal (for utility drawers). You may have to cut your lining down to size. Measure the inside of the drawer to get the dimensions.
Refinishing or restoring a piece of furniture may leave you with metal drawer pulls that need a refresh. Spray painting drawer pulls is a quick way to renew them, but you can also paint them by hand. For a longer-lasting finish, prep the pulls before you paint.
Doors typically require a good amount of time, because you need to paint both sides and let them fully dry in between coats. You can begin with the back side of your cabinet doors. Apply one coat, wait 24 hours and then move on to your second coat of paint.
Choose a high-quality paint. Special cabinet paints are available that provide a smooth finish, but any high-quality paint should work. Make sure your paint is acrylic, not vinyl. Acrylic latex-based paint is durable and easy to clean up.
Two coats of paint are essential for cabinets—you're building a surface. By the way, to get the nicest finish, use a brush, a 2- to 2 1/2-inch fine bristle brush. Whatever paint you use, ventilate the room—direct a fan out the window—and wear the masks they sell in paint stores.
Prime the shelves, or paint them with a latex-based paint that has a primer built in. Latex paints stand up to repeated washing better than oil-based ones, so they are best for kitchen shelves. Let the first coat dry thoroughly before deciding if you want to apply a second coat.
Avoid painting inside the cabinet unless the shelves are fixed and would benefit from a fresh coat of paint. Paint cabinets in light coats, allowing paint to dry completely between each coat.
The process is pretty simple. For each piece, spray a light coat of adhesive spray on the side of the piece that will be on the outside of the chest and then gently lay your fabric piece on top of it. Readjust the piece to align it properly by lifting it up and placing it back down as needed.
Drawer liners have a few purposes. For one, they create a barrier between the material of the bottom of the drawer and the contents of the drawer. Secondly, they can spruce up the interior of the drawer with various colors or patterns. Thirdly, they deter dust from settling in the drawer.