Proper preparation is the most critical step for a long-lasting, factory-finish look when repainting cabinets. Disassemble and label all doors, drawers, and hardware. Remove grease with a degreaser, sand lightly to scuff the surface, fill any scratches or holes, wipe clean, and apply a high-quality bonding primer.
Yes, you can absolutely paint over painted cabinets. The secret to making it last and preventing peeling or chipping is proper surface preparation. You rarely need to strip down to bare wood; instead, focus on cleaning, de-glossing, and using the right primer.
Yes, it's entirely possible to paint cabinets without sanding, and thousands of DIYers and friends have done it successfully. But don't forget the prep. Skipping sanding doesn't mean skipping cleaning, priming, or using the right products.
Yes, you can use Murphy's Oil Soap on painted cabinets, as it is a plant-based cleaner gentle enough for painted surfaces. However, it is not ideal for heavily greasy areas and can leave behind an oily residue that makes future repainting difficult.
Not Thoroughly Cleaning the Cabinets
If you don't plan to sand your cabinets, you really should wash them clean with a solution of water and dish soap before applying paint. There's a good chance grease and grime are coating the doors, and you should never paint over this—the paint will not adhere correctly if you do!
Recap: Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.
The safest, most effective cleaner for painted cabinets is a simple mixture of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap (such as Dawn). This gently cuts through everyday grease and grime without stripping or dulling the paint finish.
For Water Based Finishes
Cleaners such as Pledge and Murphy's Oil Soap are not recommended because they leave a dull residue on the finish. Water based surfaces may be cleaned with a damp cloth or General Finishes Orange Oil.
Using a Magnum airless paint sprayer will provide the fastest way to achieve a perfect finish. When this project is done right, you'll get a durable, smooth finish, without any brush strokes or other imperfections. It's also important to get even coverage on the doors and in all the corners and grooves.
Apply First Coat
Start by using an angled brush for each cabinet door's recessed or detailed areas while avoiding brush marks on the flatter, smoother areas. Next, immediately paint the remaining flat areas with a mini roller while smoothing any overlapping brush marks or paint drips to create a uniform look.
If the old paint is flaking, bubbling, or peeling off, it might not be a good idea to paint over it directly. This is because the new layer of paint might not adhere properly to the surface, leading to an unattractive and uneven finish. It might also cause the new paint to start peeling prematurely.
We recommend two full coats of 'Intelligent Satin' to achieve full depth of colour on previously painted wood. Your furniture will be surface dry within 1–2 hours.
Cabinets are subjected to daily use, which means they're exposed to wear and tear, Painted cabinets are prone to chipping, peeling, and fading, especially in high-traffic kitchens. Unlike factory-finished cabinets, DIY or even professionally painted cabinets may not hold up as well over time.
White kitchens are not out of style, but the stark, "all-white" monochromatic look is. Designers are shifting toward softer, warmer whites, paired with organic wood tones, natural stone, and contrasting elements to add depth and personality.
The 1/3 rule in cabinet design is an interior design guideline stating that a cabinet pull or handle should be approximately one-third the width of a drawer or one-third the height of a cabinet door. This ensures hardware is visually balanced and functional.
For most kitchen cabinets, the best and safest cleaner is a simple mix of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap (like Original Dawn Dish Soap). This solution effectively cuts through daily grease and cooking oils without stripping or damaging paint, laminate, or wood finishes.
Yes, you can use Murphy Oil Soap on kitchen cabinets. However, it is specifically designed for natural wood and relies on proper dilution.
Yes, Murphy's Oil Soap is a highly concentrated formula and must be diluted for general cleaning. Using it straight from the bottle can leave a cloudy residue or film on surfaces.
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.
Before painting, clean your kitchen cabinets with a heavy-duty degreaser like Krud Kutter Pre-Paint Cleaner/Remover or a TSP (trisodium phosphate) solution. These break down years of stubborn cooking grease and wax, which is crucial for preventing your new primer and paint from peeling.
The best, safest everyday cleaner for painted wood is a simple mixture of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap, such as Dawn. This cuts through grease and grime without stripping or dulling the paint.
In 2026, kitchen color trends are moving away from stark white and cold gray, shifting toward warm, nature-inspired, and earthy tones. The aesthetic of "warm minimalism" dominates, favoring softer hues like creamy white, taupe, mushroom, terracotta, muted olive green, and deep teal-blues.
Joanna Gaines' go-to paint colors for kitchen cabinets emphasize natural, earthy tones. She frequently uses warm, creamy whites on upper cabinets for an airy feel, and balances them with bold, deep greens, blues, or grays on lower cabinets for depth.
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home