How to Change the Look of White Kitchen Cabinets

White kitchen cabinets don't have to be just white anymore.

Ideas for changing the look of white kitchen cabinets are endless, ranging from simply changing the style and color of knobs and drawer pulls to totally changing the color of the cabinets. Cabinet doors removed from upper cabinets and painting the interior a vibrant color brightens the kitchen and gives an airy, open feeling. Removed cabinet doors are stored and installed when another change is desired. Wipe an antiquing glaze on the white cabinets to change tone and feeling in the kitchen.

Things You'll Need

• Antique glaze (oil- or water-based)
• Paintbrushes
• Paint thinner
• Denatured alcohol
• Lint free cloths
• Polyurethane (water-based)
• Sandpaper
• Tack rags
• Primer
• Paint rollers
• Paint

Instructions

Antique Finish

1. 

   Remove all cabinet hardware. Empty and remove drawers. These are easier to work with if stood on end. Remove cabinet doors, laying the doors on a flat surface. This prevents runs and is easier on the back.

2. Clean the white kitchen cabinets with a degreaser such as Tri-Sodium Phosphate and rinse well. Wipe down all surfaces with denatured alcohol or paint thinner.

3. Apply the glaze of choice, using a paintbrush. Brush on a light coat of glaze, being sure to get the glaze into all carvings and other cabinet details. Use a lint-free cloth to begin wiping off some of the glaze. Experiment until you have an effect that appeals to you. Remove mistakes in the glaze with a cloth soaked with paint thinner. Do this before the glaze dries. Allow drying of the glazed surfaces.

4. Use a minimum of two coats of clear polyurethane to protect the antiqued finish. Polyurethane appears milky in color when applied, but dries to a hard clear finish.

5. 

   Install the cabinet hardware and install the cabinet doors on the cabinet frames. Purchase new cabinet hardware that has an antique look to give the cabinets a coordinated look.

Painting White Cabinets

1. Remove cabinet doors and all hardware including hinges. Mark the cabinet doors for location to take the guesswork out of re-installing.

2. Clean all surfaces thoroughly with a degreaser and wipe down with paint thinner or denatured alcohol. Scuff the surfaces of the cabinets lightly with sandpaper. This ensures good adhesion of primer and paint. Wipe the sanded surfaces with a tack rag to remove all sanding dust.

3. Prime all surfaces with a good quality acrylic primer; have the primer tinted to the color you are planning to paint the cabinets. Tinting the primer will give more depth to the finished paint color. Apply the primer with a high-quality roller to achieve a smooth surface on the cabinets.

4. Apply two coats of finish paint, allowing drying between coats. Use care and a good quality roller to achieve a smooth even finish. Apply two or more coats of clear polyurethane to give a hard protective finish to the cabinets. Use long even brush strokes when applying polyurethane or use a roller.

5. Re-install the hardware and mount the cabinet doors back onto the cabinet frames.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean refinished cabinets with a mild soap or dish detergent.

• Use good quality primers and paint.

• Use adequate ventilation with paints and polyurethane. They have strong odors.

References

• Creative Homemaking: Antiquing Cabinets
• Ask the Builder: Kitchen Cabinets Painting Preparation
• Contractor Guide: How to Antique Your Kitchen Cabinets

Resources

• Ask the Builder: Video: Painting Kitchen Cabinets