How to Paint a Kitchen Red

Red is one of the hottest kitchen paint colors. It goes well with wood or white cabinets and trim, spices up the room and gives it an instant wow! factor. Don't be afraid that red paint will be "too much" for your kitchen walls. Most kitchens actually have very little wall space and red will look warm and dramatic but not overbearing. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 or 2 gallons of paint
• Brown or white caulking
• Spackle
• Sanding pad or sandpaper
• Medium paint brush
• Small paint brush
• Roller
• Tray
• Drop cloths
• Blue masking tape

1. First choose your paint. Many reds require 5 or 6 coats! However, if you stay away from reds mixed in a neutral or accent base, there are plenty that will do it in two coats. Ask at the paint store. They may suggest a red or gray primer to cut down the number of subsequent coats. Look at all the reds in the spectrum. I strongly suggest buying a tester to try the color right on the wall before you start.

2. Clear out the kitchen and assess the walls. Use spackle and sandpaper to fix holes, dents and corner bead cracks. If your cabinets and countertops are wood or dark, use the brown caulking to fill in the gaps between them and the walls. Remove switch plates, window treatments and anything else that will easily come off the walls.

3. Tape off everything you need to. If you are not confident with painting straight lines, use blue tape to tape along the kitchen ceilings. Make sure you press it down firmly so you have a clean line when it's pulled off later.

4. Start with cutting in with your brush, then roll. Count on two coats at least (almost any paint job will take two coats regardless of color). Repeat as necessary, always finishing up with the rolling.

5. Give it a few hours to dry, then replace switch plates and so on. Remember that latex paint takes up to a month to fully cure so be gentle with your walls at first! Add a few red accessories, like framed prints or red ceramic ware, to tie everything together.

Tips & Warnings

• Make clean caulk lines along your counter tops and woodwork by taping off carefully next to the walls, applying caulk and wiping it smooth with a damp rag. Then immediately remove the tape. After that has dried, you can re-tape to protect surfaces from paint sprinkles.
• Only get the best quality paint, preferably from a real paint store.
• Consider a satin finish instead of semi-gloss. It tends to look better when the colors are very vivid.
• If you are painting your ceiling, try a creamy white or even pale beige instead of plain ceiling white.

[MacDonald]

on 7/17/2008 I emailed you - I wish I could remember for sure but the client bought that paint (I'm a painting contractor and all photos are from my own jobs.) So I don't recall...it was a few years ago. It was a very tue red, like bright red toenail polish, though. :o)

[stephrice121]

on 7/16/2008 Hi! I'm wondering if you could tell me which Ralph Lauren red is pictured in the photo with your article? I've been wanting to paint my kitchen red, and I love this shade! Could you email me at [e-mail] to let me know? Thanks!!!