How to paint your kitchen

Wondering how to paint your kitchen? Preparation is the key to DIY success when painting a kitchen space. Painting a kitchen can seem like a daunting task, but it's manageable when working step by step.

When attempting a large job such as painting kitchen walls and ceilings, the best plan is to adopt a step-by-step approach, says Megan Longin of ML Design in Melbourne. "Prepare the room, and paint in sections, such as your walls first, followed by your trims, architraves and finally the joinery," she says.

Start with a good clean

Remove any oil-based stains or loose paint in the kitchen with a damp sponge, some detergent and a little elbow grease. Depending on their condition, your cupboards may need a light sanding. Use wet and dry or plasterer's sandpaper, then wipe down to remove the dust.

Prime your surfaces

When painting kitchen surfaces, using a primer helps the paint 'cling' to the surface and not scratch off through everyday use. "Use a paintable primer, available from most hardware stores, to prepare the surface for paint bonding," Megan advises. Apply according to instructions, and allow to fully dry.

Choose your paint

When considering how to paint a kitchen that will last, remember that high-use areas such as kitchens require paints that will be easy to maintain, says Megan. "It's best to use one that's easily wipeable and somewhat impervious to moisture," she says. "Semi-gloss or full gloss is preferable."

Apply your paint

Start by painting all fixed items, such as walls and the framework of the joinery. Be careful not to paint inside cupboards and drawers, as this may affect the ease with which they close. "If using gloss paints, small foam rollers will give a seamless finish," says Megan. "They will also help control how much paint is applied and speed things up."

Painting kitchen doors

Remove all doors and drawers from your kitchen cabinetry before you paint them. Apply several thin coats of paint in one direction, with smooth, even brush strokes. "It's much better to apply numerous coats than one thick coat of paint," Megan advises. "If a good primer has been used, no more than two coats are necessary."

Need to paint laminate? No problem!

If you have a laminate kitchen, don't despair. There is now a wide range of paints on the market designed specifically for this type of surface. Keep in mind that vertical laminate surfaces such as kitchen doors will often show a better result than benches. You will also need to use a special primer when painting kitchen surfaces that use laminate.

Clean up

Once the paint is dry, the kitchen panels and doors need to be refixed from the inside (so there are no screws through your new doors), the doors and drawers refitted and handles replaced. If new handles are to be installed, patch up old screw holes with a multi-purpose filler, and lightly sand before priming.

Once you're sure you know how to paint your kitchen professionally, allow at least a weekend to attempt the job - and make sure there's a cold beer waiting for when you're done!

To peruse a range of painting supplies or find a laminate paint suitable for your kitchen doors, locate a paint supplier in your area: