Living in our apartment for the last five years, we started to get bored with our plain pine kitchen cupboards so decided with a bit of paint and new handles we could give them a refresh to match the rest of our decor and give our home a completely different look and feel. Below I show you how to transform your kitchen on a budget without having to buy a brand new kitchen that would cost you thousands.
Step one
First, remove all handles from your cupboards plus if painting the inside (which we didn't) remove the contents of your cupboards and drawers. Use masking tape to protect the walls and put down dust sheets to protect other parts of your kitchen.
Step two
Wash your kitchen cupboards down with white vinegar and warm water. This will remove grease and create a smooth canvas. Wipe off any soap residue with a damp cloth.
Step three
When the cabinets are dry, use a sanding machine to sand them down or do it by hand. If your kitchen cupboards have been painted before they can be painted again if the existing paint is in good condition. If not, the old paint will need to be removed first using stripper and a scraper.
Step four
Using a roller or paint pad (£5) apply the first coat of cupboard paint. I recommend using Johnstones revive cupboard paint (£15 at B&M) which comes in various colours including a lovely pale grey. This cupboard paint dries in an hour to a smooth satin finish and can be applied directly onto cupboard surfaces with no need for a separate primer or undercoat. Plus it has a low odour.
Step five
Apply as many coats as needed, we had about 9 cupboards/drawers, so we ended up applying three coats but it can be done in two as it's very thick paint. The paint is only 0.75L so if you have a bigger kitchen than ours, you will need two tins of paint.
Step six
Once your cupboards are dry, re-attach your handles. I bought some new copper handles from eBay which cost me £20 for nine handles. Just make sure to measure the holes that are already on your cupboards so you get the correct size handles.
Our kitchen before
Cupboards sanded down
Our kitchen cupboards transformed
Total cost to transform our kitchen cupboards = £40
Have you ever transformed your kitchen?
Liz x
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