🖼️
The project:
To rescue my dated, 1980s beach house kitchen without the cost and waste of a full demolition, I embarked on a budget-friendly DIY cabinet paint transformation. My goal was to create a high-end, resort-luxe aesthetic that felt both fresh and inviting. Using a rich navy palette, I painted the lower cabinets and frame, elevating the finish with elegant brushed gold lip pull hardware and oak-look vinyl kickboards. This simple, paint-powered glow-up completely anchored the room, proving that you don't need a massive structural renovation to achieve a beautiful, designer-style space.
- Materials:
- Tools:
Screwdriver/required tools to remove hardware and doors
2x microfibre cloths
125mm 180 orbital sanding pads
Ryobi 125mm Random Orbital Sander
Painter's tape
Drop sheet
Paint stirrer
Monarch 38mm Doors and Trims Paint Brush
Uni-Pro 100mm Microfibre Paint Roller
Uni-Pro 160mm Paint Tray
- Step 1:
Deconstruct and clean: Remove all doors, hinges, and old cabinet hardware. Clean every surface thoroughly with sugar soap and microfibre cloth to ensure all grease and other kitchen residue is removed.
- Step 2:
Scuff sand: Use the orbital sander with 180 git sanding discs to scuff-sand the cabinet doors and frames. Once sanded, use a damp microfibre cloth to wipe away all leftover dust.
HINT: Sand to removes the glossy finish but you don't need to remove all paint.
- Step 3:
Protect surfaces before painting: Use painter's tape along any adjoining kitchen surfaces (e.g., wall, benchtop) that you do not want paint to transfer onto. When applying the tape, use short manageable sections and pull it tight to keep your line straight, then run your finger firmly along the adjoining edge to prevent bleeding. Use a drop sheet or old sheet/towel on the floor.
HINT: when you remove the tape, do so while the paint is so damp so the new paint doesn't bond to the tape and peel right off.
- Step 4:
Apply primer: stir primer very well then apply one coat of primer, using the 38mm brush to cut into edges and frames and then roll the flat panels with the paint roller for a smooth finish. Wash stirrer, tray, and brushes in water and allow the cabinets to dry overnight.
HINT: the primer is purely to give an adhesive surface for your paint, it doesn't need to be a complete colour block of your old finish.
- Step 5:
Apply paint: Stir Porter's paint very well and then apply two coats of paint. For each coat, use the 38mm brush to cut into edges and frames and then roll the flat panels with the paint roller for a smooth and streak-free coat. Let the first coat dry completely (at least 4-6 hours) before applying second coat. Once second coat has been applied, peel away the painter's tape at a 45 degree angle, while the second coat is still wet. Wash stirrer, tray, and brushes in water and allow the cabinets to dry and harden for ~7 days.
HINT: to save washing tools between coats of paint, store your tray of paint, stirrer, and brushes in a zip lock bag or wrapped in cling wrap.
- Step 6:
Apply the vinyl: measure kickboards and use scissors to cut the self-adhesive wood-grain contact vinyl to size. Carefully align the vinyl, slowly peeling back the backing paper while using an old credit card and microfibre cloth to smooth it down.
- Step 7:
Rehang doors install hardware: Once the paint has cured, install new hardware (or re-install if using existing hardware) and rehang doors
- Step 8:
Style and enjoy!: put your decor in place and enjoy your stunning new resort-luxe kitchen!
- Step 9:
Notes: I chose to keep my pantry and upper cupboards white (existing colour) to keep the kitchen feeling bright and open. I also choose to cover the laminate splashback with heatproof vinyl adhesive tiles.
