When you’re feeling like a little kitchen remodel, one of the easiest ways to feel like you have a totally new home is to repaint it. Painting involves a lot of prep and manpower whether it’s adding a little fix-up paint to cover dents or discoloration or a full new color.
Painting a kitchen requires a bit more attention compared to other rooms of the house. Even though there’s typically less wall space, the area that does need to be painted requires more cleaning and prep work to protect cabinets and appliances.
When you’re ready to dive into your next project of painting a kitchen, here are seven tips to give it a professional finish.
1. Thoroughly Clean the Walls
Kitchen walls endure a lot with heavy cooking, grease splatters, and other assorted debris that collects on them. Wipe down the walls with a scrubby sponge and some cleaning solution. This will help remove any grease that could alter the paint job.
2. Use Sandpaper
Having a smooth surface to paint on can make all the difference between an okay job and a professional one. After the walls have dried, use 100 grit sandpaper to smooth out any bumps or imperfections that may have formed over the years.
3. Protect Your Floors With Drop Cloths
Don’t risk having to do a floor remodel too from getting any irreversible splatters or drips on your flooring. Though plastic sheets are cheap and common for paint jobs, spending the extra money on a drop cloth is the better choice to absorb any spilled paint.
4. Use Light Coats of Paint
Avoid using heavy coats of paint when covering your walls. Even though it seems like a time saver, excess paint can lead to unsightly drips. Instead roll paint on with thin strokes for multiple layers.
5. Painters Tape is Your Friend
To properly protect your cabinets and appliances, go crazy with the painters tape. You should be sure not to rely too much on it as it’s not perfect but it helps immensely to save surfaces you didn’t intend to paint.
6. Use Bags to Store Brushes and Rollers Overnight
Painting a kitchen can be frustrating and exhausting. With the tedious attention and care that it requires, sometimes it’s best to call it a day when the painting gets rough. Spread your painting days out and use bags to seal brushes and rollers so you can jump right back into action the next day.
7. Select the Right Type of Paint
When you are choosing paint for any room, color is of course the first priority whether you want a dramatic finish or to brighten the room. For kitchens, choose a higher end paint with a satin/eggshell sheen as it’s the best for wicking away grease and won’t fade with heavy cleaning.
Painting a kitchen can require a bit more effort but when you’re looking to remodel your home, a new coat of paint can be just what you were looking for.
Following these tips will help your DIY paint job look professionally done.