How to paint solid timber kitchen cabinetry?

Bicka

Hello and thank you in advance for your advice and help with our project.
We currently have solid timber cabinetry in our kitchen and we would like to update it to be a lighter and fresher looking. We really like the solid timber and the profile of the moldings etc, it would be a shame to replace it with a lower quality MDF product so we were thinking of ways to make it lighter. We are seeking advice on If painting over the top is the best option?
We have had several quotes to do 2-Pack but it is very expensive and very permanent.
We have considered doing it ourselves but wondering if the community would talk us out of it, how much prep and work is it going to be? How would we go about doing it ourselves? I have access to a spray gun and I am aware they would need to be cleaned and sanded back properly before applying primer and then 4+ light top coats.
What colour would you recommended the walls are chalkstone (light cream) we are trying to brighten it up.
Would it be worth changing the benchtops over at the same time, I like the sound of Porcelain, currently they are dark green Laminate and have started to sag in places. When the Induction Stove went in the installer said it was about 7mm out and there is a bit rock back and forth so it needed to be packed on one edge, it's still not sitting even.
I'm happy to also change the Sink setup too at the same time as the silicone has failed and there are gaps on the edge. I was going to have to re-seat it anyway and then at the same time I could swap it for something nicer.
Quotes have been around $4-6k for 2-pack paint depending on how much of the dismantling I can do myself (saves about $1500 in labour)

Some Before Photos:

Cupboards BeforeIsland Front BeforeIsland Back Before

Some AI generated concept photos:

AI concept Island BenchAI concept Cupboards

Induction Install:

Induction hob

Thanks!

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Bicka. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about painting cabinetry.

You can absolutely D.I.Y. painting your solid timber kitchen cabinetry, and many people achieve fantastic results with the right preparation and products. Two-pack finishes are incredibly durable and can achieve a high-gloss, professional look, but as you’ve found, they’re costly and permanent. Modern products like the Dulux Renovation Range hold up well on kitchen and bathroom surfaces and do an excellent job of mimicking that hard-wearing finish. They’re also much more cost-effective.

Preparation is key to a lasting result. You’ll need to thoroughly clean the surfaces with a degreasing cleaner to remove any built-up oils, then sand them back, preferably to bare timber. Follow with a high-quality adhesion primer suited to timber and kitchen cabinetry. From there, apply multiple light coats of your chosen topcoat, either with a good quality brush and foam roller for a smooth finish or with your spray gun if you’re comfortable using it. Several thin coats will always give a better finish than fewer thick ones.

In terms of colour, since your walls are a light cream, you could really brighten the space with a crisp white or a very pale warm grey – something that complements rather than matches the walls to avoid it looking too monotone. Pairing a lighter cabinetry colour with new benchtops could make a big difference. Given your current laminate benchtop is sagging and causing issues with your induction cooktop, it would be a good time to replace it. Porcelain is an excellent choice for durability and appearance, but there are also more budget-friendly options like laminate in stone-look finishes.

If you’re considering changing the sink, doing it while you’re replacing the benchtop makes sense – it saves you from redoing work twice and gives you the chance to upgrade to something that suits your new look.

Here's a helpful guide: How to rejuvenate your cabinets with Dulux paint.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell