How to Paint the Inside of Your Cabinets

Painting the inside of your cabinets can add more interest to your space in a few easy steps. Whether embracing the trendy open cabinet look or wanting to add a pop of color to your storage spaces, this project bridges the gap between design and function. Showcase your favorite dishware and create visual interest in an otherwise neutral kitchen while making items easier to locate by providing a contrasting background. Plus, painted cabinet interiors can help protect your shelves from moisture and wear while hiding existing stains or imperfections.

Try this budget-friendly weekend project that delivers significant design impact without the cost of a complete kitchen renovation.

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What's the Best Way to Paint the Inside of Kitchen Cabinets?

As with most paint projects, it is possible to spray paint inside your cabinets, but using an airless sprayer requires some practice without overspray, especially for an enclosed project such as this. Additional prep may be needed to prevent paint splatter on your counters or the outside of your cabinets. Ultimately, the choice is up to you, but a roller and paintbrush are beginner-friendly and offer the most control.

Choosing the Right Color for the Inside of Your Cabinets

White is typically the color many homeowners choose to paint inside their cabinets, if at all. Still, when the inside of your cabinets is seen, why not showcase your style? If you have white kitchen cabinets, opt for a bold, vibrant color that complements the color scheme in your space. If your cabinets are already bold, choose white paint with the same undertone as your cabinet exterior to tie the two colors together. If you're struggling to choose or narrow down a color, you can always talk to a color expert to find your perfect shade.

STEP 1

Prepare

Begin by removing screws from cabinet doors with either a hand screwdriver, or a drill.

Then, carefully remove the inside shelves. If using an electric drill, work slowly.

Tip: To protect your countertops and floors from paint, cover surfaces with sheets of plastic or paper.

STEP 2

Clean

Clean inside the cabinet doors with a sponge and soapy water to remove any dirt or oil before sanding.

STEP 3

Sand

After the cabinet has dried, use 220-grit sandpaper to sand the back panels of the cabinet.

Wipe off excess dust with a tack cloth when finished.

STEP 4

Mask Off

Next, use painter's tape to surround the inside walls of the cabinet to protect it from paint and dust.

Tip: While this tutorial focuses on painting the back portion of the cabinet's interior, you can paint the entire interior of your cabinets, which may affect where you tape. Painting the back of the cabinet alone can elongate its interior while painting the entire interior will cause your dishes to stand out against the contrasting color. It all comes down to the look you want to achieve.

STEP 5

Apply Paint

Use a 2" brush and Emerald^® Urethane Trim Enamel (we used In the Navy SW 9178) to carefully edge around the cabinets.

Then, use a 4-inch mini roller with ¾-inch nap to paint the rest of the cabinets, ensuring that the paint is applied as evenly as possible.

Working with paint in an enclosed space like this can intensify paint fumes, so open the windows to keep the area well-ventilated and take breaks as needed.

Tip: We chose a trim enamel paint formula since the inside of your cabinets will experience scraping and bumping on a near-daily basis. Trim paint is designed to hold up to heavy use, which is what you want for the inside of your cabinets. This will minimize the number of times you'll need to retouch the paint in the future.

STEP 6

Allow To Dry

Remove the tape before the paint is completely dry. A good rule of thumb is to remove the paint about an hour after painting. This should allow you enough time to clean up your project area before removing the tape.

Once you've removed the tape, allow the inside of your cabinet to dry for at least 24 hours before replacing your dishes. Waiting at least two to three days, however, will allow the paint to cure fully, which will improve the durability of the paint coating.

WARNING! Removal of old paint by sanding, scraping or other means may generate dust or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective equipment, such as a properly fitted respirator (NIOSH approved) and proper containment and cleanup. For more information, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (in US) or contact your local health authority.