Yes, you should almost always prime cabinets before painting. Skipping primer frequently results in premature chipping, peeling, or unsightly stains bleeding through your new finish. Proper priming provides a strong foundation for the new paint to adhere to.
Yes, you can paint directly over cabinets with no sanding or priming, but only if you use a specialized all-in-one paint or apply a strong liquid deglosser first. If you skip prep entirely with standard paint, the finish will easily chip, peel, or scratch within months.
The "1/3 rule" for cabinets is a popular interior design guideline stating that a cabinet pull's length should be roughly one-third of the cabinet drawer's width or the cabinet door's height. This creates a perfectly balanced visual proportion and ensures comfortable functionality.
Professional painters primarily use high-quality water-based urethane alkyd enamels, which combine the smooth, durable finish of traditional oil paints with the easy cleanup of latex. Many pros also use industrial-grade lacquer, specifically catalyzed 2-part (2K) lacquers, to create a factory-hard finish.
Step 5: Primer Application
Priming is a crucial step in cabinet painting, especially in a high-traffic area like a kitchen. It makes all the difference between a job done and a job done correctly.
Painting cabinets takes much longer than a weekend, usually spanning several weeks when accounting for proper drying and curing times. The most critical secrets to success involve flawless preparation—thoroughly degreasing to remove invisible cooking oils, scuff sanding for adhesion, and never skipping primer.
Yes, you can use Murphy's Oil Soap on wood cabinets, but it must be heavily diluted and rinsed afterward. It is specifically designed to cut through grease and grime on finished wood, but it can leave a sticky residue or damage unfinished surfaces if used incorrectly.
The absolute best paints for cabinets are waterborne alkyds (hybrid enamels). They combine the buttery smooth, rock-hard finish of traditional oil-based paint with the low-odor, easy water-cleanup of latex. The two top industry standards, heavily favored by both pros and DIYers, are Benjamin Moore Advance and Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel.
Stark, sterile "all-white" kitchens are out, but warm white palettes layered with natural textures are very much in. According to the 2026 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, wood cabinetry has officially edged out white as the most popular choice. However, white remains a top foundation.
Joanna Gaines uses her own signature line of paint, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® Trim, Door + Cabinetry Paint. Crafted in partnership with KILZ, this specialized acrylic enamel is formulated to provide the durability of a traditional oil-based paint with the easy application and cleanup of a water-based formula.
Properly prepping your cabinets is the most critical step for a flawless, long-lasting finish. Remove all doors, drawers, and hardware. Thoroughly degrease every surface with a heavy-duty cleaner, scuff sand to remove the glossy sheen, fill any imperfections, and apply a high-quality bonding primer.
Cabinet hardware trends heavily favor sculptural shapes, warm metallics, and tactile textures. Instead of blending in, pulls are taking center stage as functional design pieces.
The most timeless hardware colors are brushed/satin nickel, unlacquered brass, and polished chrome. Because they rely on classic metal tones rather than applied paint, these finishes span decades of design history and adapt easily to both modern and traditional aesthetics.
Designers consider overly clinical, monochromatic, or thematic cabinet colors to be outdated. Currently, kitchens with no warm undertones or character are falling out of style, replaced by layered neutrals, mixed tones, and natural wood.
Cabinets require 1 coat of primer and 2 coats of paint. This ensures maximum durability, prevents bleed-through, and provides a smooth, factory-like finish without hiding delicate details.
Skipping sanding before painting cabinets generally leads to poor paint adhesion, causing the paint to peel or chip easily. Without it, you will also deal with uneven, streaky finishes and visible surface imperfections like scratches, old dents, and built-up grease that prevent the paint from bonding.
An outdated kitchen usually gives itself away through a few telltale signs: heavily patterned "builder-grade" granite, short or multi-level upper cabinets, poor or overly harsh fluorescent lighting, and outdated built-in appliances (like over-the-range microwaves).
In 2026, the most popular kitchen cabinet colors are dominated by warm, earthy neutrals—specifically creamy whites, beige, taupe, and mushroom—replacing stark white with a more inviting atmosphere. Nature-inspired green (including olive and deep forest green) and warm wood tones, particularly white oak, also rank as top choices.
Currently, over-speckled, multi-toned granite, overly dramatic or artificial quartz veining, flat gray, and saturated primary colors are considered outdated. Modern kitchen designs prioritize softer, natural aesthetics and earth tones over these high-contrast or flat artificial surfaces.
Professional painters use high-durability, professional-grade finishes rather than standard wall paint. They primarily apply catalyzed conversion varnishes, polyurethane enamels, and professional lacquers using high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) sprayers to achieve a smooth, factory-like finish.
Tip: Emerald® Urethane Trim Enamel in Gloss, Semi-Gloss or Satin sheen is among the best paint for kitchen cabinets because it has excellent flow and leveling characteristics, resulting in a smooth and durable finish.
Oil-based paints have been used for decades because they dry to a very hard, durable finish. They resist scratches and give cabinets a glossy look that lasts for years. However, they do come with drawbacks. They take longer to dry, have a stronger odor, and require paint thinner or other solvents for cleanup.
A Natural Cleaner for Wood Cabinets
If you eschew chemical cleaners entirely, then a solution of equal parts vinegar and water should do just as well for your everyday needs. It even has the added bonus of never leaving a residue like some chemical cleaners can.
To make your house smell amazing while cleaning, you can use naturally fragrant multi-surface cleaners, or boost your regular mop water with a few drops of high-quality essential oils or kitchen staples.