How to Achieve Flawless White Kitchen Cabinets
Howdy friends!
I’ll have to start by apologizing for all the after pictures I’m going to share but this kitchen transformation is one of the most dramatic I’ve shared in awhile so prepare for photo overload!
When I got the call to paint these cabinets I was excited. This house, which had just sold, had previously belonged to a friend of mine so I had already been there several times and knew it had good bones. The new homeowners had a completely different style and vision for it and wanted to make it theirs. They wanted something bright and crisp and were eager to get started on the transformation. I love a good before and after. And when you mix that with my love of kitchen remodels it’s a win-win!
Let’s take a look at some before shots of the kitchen first.
The current cabinets were brown with a black island and stainless steel appliances. Since there are so many windows even with the dark brown the kitchen still felt spacious and open but my clients wanted white kitchen cabinets and countertops.
Prince Charming (aka hubby) and I started by removing all the doors and drawers. Everything needed to be sanded because the brown paint was VERY shiny and had what looked to be little pieces of paint brush hairs in it. It was challenging to say the least.
While I was at my spraying the doors and drawers with my HomeRight Finish Max (read more about spraying cabinets here) my clients had new beautiful countertops installed and even had a stainless steel farm sink installed.
This farmhouse sink is called a “drop in”. It’s an easy way to get the farmhouse look without having to remove your existing cabinet. You can find them here on Amazon. There’s also a great video about installation be sure and watch it if you’re thinking of replacing your sink with an apron front.
Isn’t it fantastic! We’re looking better already!
The backsplash was also removed and replaced with white subway tile.
Did I mention we did LOTS of sanding on these cabinets? It was a mess but so worth it in the end.
Once all the sanding was completed, the countertop and backsplash installed, it was time to install some new larger crown moulding on the tops of the cabinets. Adding crown moulding to your cabinets gives them a much more finished look. I highly recommend it if you don’t have it.
Finally it was time for my favorite part….PAINTING!!!!
Since the cabinets were originally dark brown I decided to prime them with a water-based primer first for extra insurance. Typically the paints I use don’t require priming but with these already having been a little finicky I decided better safe than sorry.
After the cleaning, sanding, cleaning again and priming (I use a General Finishes primer) were done we painted 3 coats of General Finishes Snow White Milk Paint on them. Snow White is my very favorite white for kitchen cabinets. I have used it multiple times, even in my own home and it always turns out beautifully and holds up really well.
For the island we went with General Finishes Coastal Blue.
And here we are one more time the BEFORE-
and AFTER-
BEFORE-
AFTER-
This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.
Beautiful! My cabinets are currently white but the paint tends to chip off around the edges of the doors and drawers we use the most. Does chalk paint chip also?
Hi Kim,
No it doesn’t. When cabinets are prepped properly the paint will not chip.
Thanks for reading!
Beth
I really like this kitchen. You did a great job! I want to paint my ugly stained cabinets. Just trying to decide whether to use Chalk Paint or General Finishes Milk Paint? Which one do you recommend? What kind material are the countertops?
Hi Peggy,
It really depends I. The current surface and the look you want for your finish. If you plan for a distressed look go with the Chalk style, I prefer the DIY Chalk and Clay Brand. For a sleek non distressed look, similar to this post go with the General finishes Milk Paint. Hope this helps!
Thanks for reading!
Beth
As usual your kitchen makeover looks fantastic. So fresh. And that pop of blue!
Hi Lane,
Thank you so much. I’m thrilled with it too.
🙂 Beth
WOW! What a difference! Love it and the island color! Would love to see my kitchen like that but cannot afford it. Sigh! And disabled and 65, cannot do myself.
Thank you Rose! I appreciate you reading and commenting.
🙂 Beth
Our kitchen & we LOVE IT!!!! 🙂 It was so fun working with you & Randy! 🙂
Thank you Kathleen!!!!
Love this!! If we use this for our cabinets what color would you suggest for wall color? We definitely like the white look but do you use the same shade white or go with something else?
HI Farrah,
It really depends on your style. I love light grays and blues with white. If you are going to do white walls as well as cabinets I would use a flat white paint on the walls. Hope this helps!
Thanks for reading,
Beth
Beautiful cabinets and kitchen. Great inspiration for the kitchen we are about to tackle!
Thank you Julia!
What sealer did you use on the cabinets. I know the milk finish paint offers a variety of sealers, but which one is best?
Did you seal the cabinets after painting?
This post – the bright white, the milk paint – EXACTLY what we’re going for! Can you confirm though… when you sealed it, they didn’t yellow? I am SO SCARED that sealing will turn my cabinets yellow. We’ll be painting birch, which seems like that will lean in our favor (not a high bleed-thru wood)… but I’m still scared. 🙂 Since you say you’ve done several in this snow white, can you confirm that it stays white?
Hey Lyndsey,
General Finishe actually recommends against sealing Snow White paint and that is what we adhere to. I actually have Snow White on my own cabinets and have had it for several years with fantastic results! I hope this helps!
Thank you,
Beth
Hello!
I believe you used HomeRight Finish Max Fine for the cabinet doors – did you also use that for the cabinets themselves or did you use rollers?
Hi Sumer,
I hand-paint the cabinet skeletons with a brush and roller and spray only the doors. That’s just what works for me. However you could always spray both if you want to tape everything off.
Thanks,
Beth
Beth, your class last night was a delight and look forward to you teaching me more. It is such a fun shop and I always enjoy going in there to see what new you have in or what new you have done. Love you guys.
Thank you Jeanne!
This looks great, Beth! You’re such an inspiration. Thanks for the tips.
Thank you Canice!
Did you thin the Generals Milk Paint to use in your sprayer? If so how much water did you use?
Hi Beth, Yes I use my HomeRight Finish Max, it’s usually 1 part paint to almost 1 part water. However your ratio will depend on the sprayer you’re using.
Thank you,
Beth
I was also wondering if you put a poly finish on the cabinets and if so which one and how many coats? I have read several posts about GF milk paint in Snow White yellowing over time because of the finish, and was curious about your experience.
Thanks!
Hi Michele,
No I DO NOT topcoat GF Snow White. I always prime first to get a good bond and then apply at lease 3 coats of paint.
Thanks,
Beth
Thank you SO MUCH for this post. I love Ikea’s designs, but I’ve sat on their sofas so obviously am wary of their large pieces. This is helpful not only for me but for my clients, so I can provide them with a little more knowledge when they ask my opinion. Very informative. Thank you!
You’re welcome Andy!
I love both the kitchen islands in the pictures you shared. I know you said yours was handmade but the blue one pictured was that bought somewhere? It’s exactly what I’m in need of.
Thanks!
Krista
Hey Krista,
The same island is pictured in the post it’s just been painted from black to blue. Unfortunately I’m not sure where my clients got it. Sorry I’m not more help.
🙂 Beth
can you apply the General Finishes Snow White paint over white enamel paint without sanding down the enamel?
Kitchen is beautiful!
Hi Becky,
Prepping your cabinets correctly means everything and without seeing them I can’t give you an exact answer but my recommendation would definitely be to clean, lightly sand and then prime them first.
🙂 Beth
Just curious how much paint did you use? I’m currently renovating our new house and I want to order GF snow white but I wasn’t sure how much paint I should order…My kitchen is around the same size as that one a bit smaller but just curious how much you had to you?
Hi Krystal,
Amount of paint is really going to depend on the current surface you’re painting and whether or not you spray or roll. I would suggest priming and then getting 3 to 4 quarts of Snow White. Good luck with your project!
Hope this helps!
Beth