Laminate kitchen cupboards have been a staple in UK homes for decades.
Widespread for their low maintenance and lower price points, laminate cupboards (just like any other kind of furniture) can degrade over time. As a homeowner on a budget, you might be left thinking: what can I do now?
If a full kitchen renovation isn’t on the cards, financially, there’s always a better option. Learning how to paint laminate kitchen cupboards can help you save precious pennies in the long run (money you could put towards a heavily reduced ex-display kitchen!)
So, stick with the UK’s number one Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom outlet for more tips on transforming even the dullest of cupboards.
Can you paint laminate kitchen cupboards?
Yes, it’s more than possible to paint laminate kitchen cupboards. However, homeowners should be reminded that it’s not the ideal surface for adhesion, and that paint is not a permanent fix.
Being porous and non-slick, laminated surfaces demand special preparation for the paint to stick. You could execute each step perfectly, and still find the finish peeling or showing wear over time. That said, don’t let this put you off! Painting laminate kitchen cupboards can be a great fix for homes where a full cabinet replacement may be impractical (e.g. budget constraints, rental agreements, timelines).
Our advice? Put real effort into preparation, use the right products, and your freshly painted laminate cabinets will hold up well. Just be aware that busy kitchens are high-traffic areas, and eventual peeling is always a possibility.
Materials & tools you’ll need
This is where our preparation begins! While not all materials will apply to you, we’ve compiled a list of the top tools you’ll need to complete this step-by-step process:
- Cleaning supplies: sugar soap, warm soapy water
- Sanding tools: fine‑grit sandpaper or sanding pad (around 180‑220 grit)
- Primer: laminate‑specific / high‑bonding primer
- Paint: latex/satin finish or Chalk Paint®
- Sealant options: wax, lacquer, or polyurethane
- Other tools: rollers, brushes (foam or flat), tape, screwdrivers, tack cloth
At Rehome, we recommend quality over shortcuts every time. Clean, sand, prime, paint, and seal using the right materials, and you’ll set the stage for a long-lasting finish.
Step-by-step painting process
So, you’ve got all the tools for the job: where to start? Follow along with our step-by-step guide, and you, too, can learn how to paint laminate kitchen cupboards:
1. Remove doors and hardware
Begin by unscrewing and removing the following:
- cupboard doors
- handles
- hinges
- drawer runners
While this might seem tedious, it’s important. Taking this extra step prevents drips and means you can paint all surfaces evenly. So, label each door with a number or letter and
So, label each door with a number or letter and place your corresponding fixtures in a bag that displays the same letter. When the time comes to reassemble, you won’t be lost in a sea of screws and bolts!
2. Clean thoroughly
If you’re an enthusiastic cook (or haven’t cleaned your cupboards in a long time), they could be laden with grease, even potentially invisible grime. It’s this dirt that, if left, can make all your paintwork go to waste.
We recommend dampening a sponge in warm, soapy water or a kitchen degreaser (like TSP or sugar soap) to clean every surface. Rinse and dry completely before moving on to the next step.
3. Sand lightly
Why is sanding a necessary step? Because laminate surfaces are smooth and can’t hold paint, you’ll need to roughen them up.
Lightly scuff your surfaces with fine-grit (180–220) sandpaper or a sanding block until the high gloss disappears: this creates the ideal conditions for primer adhesion. Remember to remove all dust with a cloth or a damp microfibre cloth.
4. Prime carefully
Every painted laminate cupboard needs a good primer! Use a bonding primer that’s specially designed for laminate or a shellac-based primer, apply a coat with a high-quality brush (this will keep stroke marks to a minimum).
You should use a roller to minimise strokes and paint larger surface areas. Once dried, finish with a fine-sanding pass and dust off again.
5. Paint
Now, time for the main event! You’ve done all the prep work, cleaning, sanding and priming, so grab your chosen shade of latex or satin cabinet paint and a good brush.
Apply thin, even coats and carefully brush the edges. Give each coat the chance to dry completely before lightly sanding and applying another.
6. Seal
Once the final coat is fully dry, apply a protective sealant. You’re effectively sealing in your hard work with a water-based polyurethane or lacquer solution.
7. Reattach hardware and doors
Wait 24–48 hours before putting your cabinets back together: this will allow plenty of time for the paint and sealant to dry. It’s during this time that you can clean up any smudges or imperfections and, most importantly, admire your new cabinets!
FAQs
Will paint stick to laminate without any preparation?
Generally, no, paint will not stick well to laminate without preparation. We recommend cleaning, sanding and priming before applying any paint. Taking these extra measures, while time-consuming, will leave you with a better end result.
Which paint finish works best?
The best paint finish for laminate kitchen cabinets depends on your priorities.
For example, if you want a good all-rounder, water-based paints that deliver a satin finish are excellent. Oil-based paints are some of the most durable, so if you don’t want to repeat this process for a while, shop for an oil-based product.
How long does the paint last?
Painted laminate kitchen cabinets can last beautifully for years, particularly with proper preparation!
Shop with Rehome for ex-display, pre-loved kitchens!
Now that you know how to paint laminate kitchen cupboards, why not look at the bigger picture? What’s next on your kitchen to-do list: do you desperately need new appliances? Save thousands of pounds with our ex-display ovens and fridge-freezers.
Maybe your long-term goal is to completely redesign your space. With shaker kitchens, pantries, and lighting from top-name brands, we’re happy to be your main source of renovation inspiration.
Don’t let budget barriers step in your way: shop with Rehome today, and stretch your money further.
