DIY Kitchen Cabinets That Don't Look DIY
By Natalie MorrisRefacingCabinet.com Columnist
Even if you're up for the challenge of DIY kitchen cabinets, you certainly don't want the final product to look like a do-it-yourself job. Splotchy paint, uneven stain. Ugh. Cabinets take up a significant amount of visual and tangible real estate in your kitchen, so mistakes or shoddy work are glaringly obvious. Not what you're going for in the most heavily trafficked room in your house.
If you're planning to paint or re-stain your kitchen cabinets, what's the secret to a professional-looking result? Treat the job like a professional would. Following are a few pro tips to make sure your DIY kitchen cabinets make you proud.
DIY Tip #1: Clean Your Kitchen Cabinets Well
First, make sure your surfaces are clean and free of dust, grime, oily residue, and other unplanned cooking leftovers by cleaning kitchen cabinets well. Paint does not adhere to greasy, dirty cabinets. Thoroughly clean all of the surfaces you plan to paint or stain and then allow them to dry completely.
DIY Tip #2: Be Ready for Sanding…Lots of Sanding
Sanding the kitchen cabinets ensures that your primer or paint has something to cling to once you apply it. If you skimp on this step, your cabinet DIY work doesn't last and you end up having to redo your paint much sooner. Sanding is not fun for anyone--that fact is obvious--but your efforts are worth it in the long run.
DIY Tip #3: Prepare to Prime Your Cabinets
Skimping on primer can also cost you time and effort. If you're staining, skip this step, but if you're painting kitchen cabinets don't you dare. Primer is designed to treat the kitchen cabinet surface, help smooth the rough spots, and give you a smoother, longer lasting end result.
DIY Tip #4: Don't Be Heavy Handed with the Paint or Stain
Yes, you want good stain coverage. You don't want to finish your kitchen cabinet remodel in one thick, globby layer. Professionals strategically cover kitchen cabinets in multiple thin layers of stain instead of trying to get heavy coverage in one layer. Cabinet finishes with several layers last longer and look better.
DIY Tip #5: Don't Be in a Hurry
If you've gone through all four of the previous steps, you're probably ready for this whole thing to be over. But now is not the time to take shortcuts. Review your work and inspect the details. Let all of your paint layers dry completely before moving on. Don't rush; the best things in life sometimes take time.
You're investing a great deal of time and effort when you take on kitchen cabinet DIY. Prepare well, consider the details, and take your time, and you should end up with a new kitchen look of which you can be proud.
About The Author
Natalie Morris is a freelance writer who loves to learn and ask questions. Her favorite home improvement activities include gardening, organizing, and painting large expanses of wall while her husband does the trim work. Natalie holds a bachelor's degr
