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New decorating project?
If you're lusting after a bespoke new fitted kitchen, you're probably looking at a £15,000 cost – at least – for a whole new installation. If that makes it all a bit of a pipe dream, don't worry. A lick of paint on your old cabinetry can have a truly transformative effect, livening up drab and dated rooms and turning them into a space you can feel proud to welcome guests into.
Depending on the number of cans you need, a DIY painting job could potentially set you back less than £100 in total. Not a bad saving on that £15k figure, we're sure you'll agree!
Saying that, naturally this will require a bit of planning and prep work on your part. We've put together a guide on painting your kitchen cupboards along with some of our top colour picks in every hue.
It depends on the finish you're looking for and the type of cupboards you're looking to revamp. For glossy cupboards, like melamine, it's probably best to go for a specialist paint, such as one from Johnstone's range, unless you're prepared to really spend some time sanding them down prior to using a more classic formulation.
If you have wooden cupboards, though, these should work well with most standard paints. All brands we consulted recommended a standard eggshell, so we've mostly stuck to these below. Chalk paint is also suitable, if you like that very flat matt finish. In this instance especially, make sure to seal with a furniture wax to avoid staining.
To get the best finish, make sure you prep properly to avoid streaking or peeling further on down the line.
We've rounded up a selection of our favourite kitchen cupboard paints below, plus a few handy extras, to help your next decorating project get off to a good start.
If you're desperate to update your old kitchen but you're not really sure where to start, you can't go wrong with a lick of white paint. It'll brighten any room considerably and won't ever date. Such a neutral finish is easily updated by switching out your accessories, so opting for this hue means you'll have the freedom to create a whole new look without having to repaint, whenever you like.
Naturally, a classic white silky emulsion is the best place to start our paint roundup. Versatile, classic and timeless, this Dulux paint is designed to dry quickly, so your kitchen won't be out of action for long.
We bet you thought you couldn't paint over melamine, but you were wrong. This will cover in just a single coat, lifting your space considerably.
If you desperately want to lift the vibe in a dark and dingy kitchen area but white's just a little stark for your tastes, go for ivory instead.
We haven't fallen out of love with grey; it's a little less stark than white while still remaining neutral and chic. Just make sure to dress your space with complementing pieces in other shades to avoid it feeling drab or cold.
Don't be scared of this deep slate grey; it's actually a very versatile shade that would work equally well in a country-style interior as in a cool modern abode. For the former, a warm woodgrain worktop will make a lovely complement and, for the latter, choose a fresh white granite to elevate it into something more special.
We also like this warmer, paler grey, too, for Scandi fans and those after something that'll brighten up a dingy space.
This is a bit unusual and we like how the pink undertones add some warmth to a hue that can tend to feel a bit cold on occasion. (We bet you've got a friend who's become thoroughly enamoured with the grey interiors trend, but whose space feels a little stark as a result!) This shade solves that problem.
Green is such an elegant shade – sophisticated, timeless and evocative of getting out there in nature, which always makes everyone feel better. It makes sense, then, that it continues to be a popular choice for cabinetry.
Deep emerald and forest hues are classy and timeless, while duskier sages and apple shades evoke a rural charm. With this colour, you can get away with going ultra-bright too, for a look with retro charm that's bound to please your Instagram followers.
This is such a cute shade – it strikes just the right balance between sorbet brights and muted pastels to feel interesting without being overwhelming. Pair with white cabinets up top (or lemon ones, if you're brave enough) for a retro feel that's still perfectly modern.
Want that classic country cottage feel? Then it's got to be sage green in your kitchen. If you're looking to spruce up your space on a budget, Wilko has a range of cupboard paints in a variety of tones at just £10 for a 750ml tin. Bargain!
Forest green was a very popular kitchen colour last year and we can see why. This shade is perfect to pair with gold or brass accents.
Yellow is the first colour your eye is drawn to and, without a doubt, the most uplifting shade in the spectrum. It's not one for ultra-modernists or minimalists, but if you're looking to inject some characterful charm into your space, this mood-boosting colour is a fantastic choice.
Feeling brave? Go bright. It'd be impossible to feel miserable in a kitchen painted this joyous hue.
Alternatively, this more muted version will give the same cheery feel without being so in-your-face (not that there's anything wrong with that, of course).
This ochre shade is more muted than the sunnier hues above. It'll give your kitchen a comforting glow that would work well if you're after that mid century/seventies feel that's been trendy over the past few years.
Love it or hate it, the colour pink always makes an impression (and a talking point). You have options, too – while a fuchsia might be too much for some, a dusty muted rose has a more enduring appeal, while salmon and plaster pinks warm up a room without feeling overly feminine.
Super delicate, super feminine, if you've fallen in love with the pastel kitchens all over your socials recently, we think opting for a shade like this pretty pale rose pink is less likely to date than other tones. Gold hardware is a natural fit, but we like how the millennial pink walls here adds a bit of edge to this ultra-girly scheme.
Pay no attention to reports of the end of millennial pink, we still love it here at HB. In stark contrast to the candy floss shade above, this is a really pink pink. Rich and warm, expect plenty of 'ooohs' from guests when they pop round for tea.
Setting Plaster is one of our favourite F&B shades; thanks to its ability to warm up rooms with even the lowest natural light levels before. With a strong yellow base, this salmon hue will work really well with the minimalist stoneware vibes you'll find on the shelves at the likes of H&M Home recently, when you're ready for styling.
If you like pink but are wary of ending up living in Barbie's Dream House, order a swatch of this.
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