Best paint for cabinets

Best paint for cabinets

Renovating your kitchen doesn’t always have to mean planning a floor-to-ceiling overhaul. There are different ways of transforming or updating the space, like painting old kitchen cabinets. A new layer or new colour of paint can go a long way with giving new life to those cabinets. Plus, it’s less expensive than a full replacement or refacing renovation. With so many types of paints and colours available, it’s important to pick the best paint for kitchen cabinets.

Platinum Pro Painters brings over 60 years of painting experience and knowledge to your home. They share ten tips for getting the best kitchen cabinet painting in Toronto:

1. Use water-based laquer

Water-based laquer is becoming a common choice for kitchen cabinet refinishing. As a lacquer, it is durable, waterproof, breathable and will stand the test of time. It is perfect for wood cabinets, come in a range of finishes and colours, including a clear finish. Water-based lacquer is a more environmentally-friendly option, compared to other types of lacquer, because it is free of toxic chemicals.

 Water-based lacquers will give you the choice between low or no VOC paint. Plus, you will also avoid the problem of the paint eventually yellowing, as with oil-based latex. Having a VOC emitting paint in a space where you prepare and eat food isn’t exactly a welcome combination. The yellowing that also tends to happen in oil-based latex will leave your cabinets looking grungy and unattractive. Water-based latex, though, avoids both of these problems.

2. Use a primer on wood cabinets

 If you have real wood cabinets, be aware that wood tends to absorb a lot of moisture. So, if you are planning to paint wood, make sure to use a primer first. Primers work by bonding with the wood, which prevents moisture from any paint getting absorbed. Using a primer also creates a more even surface, meaning your paint colours will go on smoother. Shellac primers are the best at sealing porous wood surfaces and giving your paint colours those even surfaces.

 3. Stick with oil-based primers on MDF cabinets

 With medium-density fiberboard cabinets (MDF), you actually will want to use an oil-based primer. Because MDF is such a porous material, using water-based primers can risk the surface becoming swollen and warped. Not exactly a problem you want to have to deal with during any renovation! Once you’ve applied an oil-based primer, though, you can use water-based latex paint overtop without concern.

 4. Make a statement with dark colours

 There’s a lot that you can do colour-wise with kitchen cabinets, but nothing is quite so catchy or elegant as dark cabinets. The trick with dark colours, though, is to make sure you don’t go too dark. Make sure to keep a balance between dark and light shades to avoid creating a gloomy kitchen instead. Take a look at the rest of your kitchen as well to help decide how dark you want your cabinets. Black and grey are classic, but dark reds, blues and even rich browns all also work. Just make sure there are enough light counterparts, such as floors or counters, to help add balance.

 5. Keep it bright and airy

 Light shades and an airy environment are another way to go with kitchen cabinets, which is another popular look. White has dominated in kitchen cabinet colour trends for a few years now. Whether you choose a bright white or off white, you’ll love how open and bright the kitchen will look. Popular colours include Chantilly Lace, Cloud White or Dove White.

 6. Go for the two-toned look

 If you can’t decide between two colours or shades, go with both! In cases like this, the best paint for kitchen cabinets means going two-toned.  It gives your kitchen the best of both looks and with double the style. You can pair dark and light cabinets or pastels with white to strike a beautiful balance. Popularly, the bottom kitchen cabinets are painted with colour, while the top stays white. This helps create that balance and flow of colours, but don’t feel limited to just that style. Paint your top cabinets black and the bottom in gold, or a light grey top with wine red bottoms. Dark colours on top add a striking elegance, while dark on the bottom will add that modern balance to the room.

 7. White canvas with colour pops

 Sleek white kitchens that have pops of colours are another great way to get the best of different designs. Start by painting all your cabinets white, except for two sets. Choose parallel cabinets that are on either side of something, such as the fridge or stovetop. Then, paint just these two in a complementary colour, ideally one that draws on another tone from the room. Try matching steel colours for your appliances or a creamy brown to match the floors for some great pairings. Or, for a different look, add glass doors to your cabinets and then paint the insides something bright! It’s an easy trick to add an eye-catching look to those cabinets.

 8. Classic white

 There’s a reason why the saying “classic never goes out of style” rings so true, especially with classic white kitchens. Despite the rise and fall of different colour trends, white cabinets have always stayed in popular demand. Not only is white a perfect neutral canvas, but it catches the light and adds a sense of spaciousness. Plus, white can mean any number of different shades, such as milk-white, chalk, pearl or porcelain. So, no matter which shade, a white kitchen will always look good!

 9. Cool grey

 If you like the idea of a twist on a classic look, stick with cool grey colours for your cabinets instead of white. Even though white is the perfect neutral base, grey is perfect to contrast with any other shades. It’ll work with your floors, furniture, appliances and any decorations. Grey itself also ranges in a wide variety of different tones, meaning it’ll match any kitchen. You can go light and airy with a pale grey, or dark and bold with a steel grey.

 Ready to paint those kitchen cabinets? Contact Platinum Pro Painters to get started.

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