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Fresh Paint a Great Recipe for Affordable Kitchen Remodeling

June 2011

Philadelphia - A remodeled kitchen is the fondest dream of many homeowners. But at an average cost of $56,000 for a “mid-range” upgrade according to Remodeling magazine, the price is simply too steep for most. That said, if you’re on a budget, there’s a great alternative: spending $100 or so to give your kitchen a whole new look with paint.

Many people underestimate the dramatic change you can make in a kitchen with a little imagination and a couple of cans of paint. But actually, you can use paint not only to freshen the wall color, but also to totally change the appearance of your kitchen cabinets.

The only ingredients you’ll need to cook up a whole new look for your culinary center are some careful planning, a good eye for color, and a willingness to spend time in your kitchen with some paint cans as your companions.

Happy Painting,

Debbie Zimmer, Editor
dzimmer@dow.com

PQI
Where to begin? First, visit the websites of paint companies. On many, you’ll find idea centers with paint palettes designed by professional colorists, and “visualizing” tools that allow you to pre-test your color choices online.

Once you’ve settled on a color scheme, it’s time to paint. Assuming that you’re going to do a top-to-bottom makeover, start by removing the cabinet doors, as well as the hinges and knobs. If you’re going to re-use the hardware, put these items in a plastic bag so they don’t get lost.

After placing drop-cloths to protect the floors, paint the ceiling first, then the walls, and finally, the trim. For easy maintenance, use top quality 100% acrylic latex semi-gloss paint: It will resist stains and stand up to scrubbing better than a flat paint. Now turn your attention to the cabinets again.

Scrub the kitchen cabinets and doors with a degreasing solution to remove dirt and grime. When they’ve dried, sand the cabinets to remove any loose paint and to provide better “tack” for the new coating. Use a wet cloth to wipe off any dust created by the sanding. Painting with a roller

Next, apply a top quality latex primer to the cabinets. Use a roller wherever possible, and a small brush where necessary. Let the primer dry overnight.

Finish the cabinets in the same way by applying a coat of top quality 100% acrylic latex paint. Here, too, it’s best to use a gloss or semi-gloss finish, since they are more stain-resistant and easier to clean. Don’t re-install the cabinet doors quite yet. Wait until the paint is totally dry.

To put a perfect finishing touch on your kitchen remodeling, consider purchasing new knobs or handles for your cabinets either online or at your local home center. They’re Kitchen Cabinets readily available in a wide range of shapes, styles, sizes, colors, and materials. One is sure to strike your fancy.

When your cabinets are restored and everything is done, stand back and take pride in your new kitchen. . . and in the thousands of dollars you saved by doing your own remodeling!

For more how-to information on home painting, as well as color and design ideas, visit www.paintquality.com or blog.paintquality.com.