A Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets

A Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets

Are you tired of the look of your kitchen cabinets but don’t want to spend a fortune on a full remodel? 

Painting your cabinets can give your kitchen a fresh new look without breaking the bank. Here’s a step-by-step guide to painting your kitchen cabinets. 

If you are looking to paint your kitchen cabinets yourself here is a list of materials you will need:

  • Sandpaper/sanding sponge (180 to 220-grit)
  • Tack cloth
  • Painter’s tape
  • 3M Masking Plastic and Masking Paper
  • Drop cloths
  • Stain Blocking Primer
  • A High Quality Enamel Paint (products like Sherwin Williams Urethane Trim Enamel, Benjamin Moore Advance are great for kitchen cabinets)
  • Paint Sprayer
  • Screwdriver or drill (for removing hinges and handle hardware)

While painting your cabinets yourself may seem like an easy task to undertake, it can take a lot of time and effort to do it right. Too often we’ve seen homeowners attempt to repaint their cabinets with the goal of getting a professional finish only to wind up disappointed in the outcome. 

That’s why we always suggest working with a professional painter to handle such a project. 

Our team of expert painters will transform your cabinets right before your eyes. If you’re interested in professional cabinet painting by Kind Home Painting Company, you can request your free consultation HERE

Step 1: Establish a Game Plan for the Project

Before tackling your project, it is important to set a game plan on how you are going to work through the project. 

Ask yourself: where are you going to organize and store the items in your cabinets? Where are you going to paint the doors and drawers?

What type of finish do you desire for the cabinets (sprayed or brushed/rolled)? What color should you choose and how will it affect the space?

*If you need help selecting your colors for your cabinet painting project, be sure to ask about our professional color consultations

Depending on the size of your kitchen and number of cabinets/doors/drawers, it is usually easiest to take all of the doors and drawers to a separate location for more room. The garage or another room adjacent to the kitchen are great options to prep your cabinet doors and drawer faces.

  • Take a photo or create a mock-up diagram of your kitchen cabinets before you remove the doors and drawers. 
  • Label the diagram of your door and drawers with a number or alphabetical system, i.e. top left cabinet is “1”, top middle cabinet door is “2”, top right is “3”, left drawer is “5”, etc.
  • As you remove the cabinet doors and drawers, write the same letter or number on the inside of the hinge as your diagram. This will save you a lot of time when it comes time to reinstall your doors and drawers to the boxes!

Image of taking apart cabinet hardware

Step 2: Preparation 

The first step is to remove all items from inside the cabinets and drawers, and lay paper floor covering on the floor and tape the edges tight to the base trim of the cabinet boxes to protect it from paint drips (this is much more reliable than drop clothes which can slide around). 

Remove any hardware, such as handles and knobs, using a screwdriver. You’ll also need to  remove the hinges and place them inside of the same cabinet boxes so that everything goes back in the same place. 

This will make it easier to adjust the cabinet doors to be plumb and level upon completion. Label the inside of the hinge cup on each door and the inside of the box with a piece that matches your diagram or photo.  

Use painter’s tape to mask off areas you do not want to paint, such backsplashes, walls, ceilings, or countertops. 

Clean the face of each cabinet door and drawer with a mild degreaser, such as Krud Kutter or SimpleGreen, to remove any built up grease or residue. Wipe any excess degreaser with warm water and a clean tack cloth. 

Image of cabinets masked off

Step 3: Sanding

Using sandpaper or sponge sanding sponge (180 to 220-grit), sand the surface of the cabinets, drawers, and doors. 

This will help the primer adhere better to the surface. After sanding, wipe down the surfaces with a tack cloth to remove any dust.

 

Step 4: Priming

Apply a quality stain blocking primer to the surfaces using a paintbrush, roller, or airless sprayer. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying time. The primer will help the paint adhere better and cover any imperfections. 

Once the primer coat has dried, if there are any imperfections on the cabinet boxes, doors or drawers (i.e. sags from too much product, dust, a rouge hair, etc.) a light scuff sand of those areas will smooth out the surface. After that you’re ready to apply your finish coats!

Step 5: Painting

Once the primer has dried, you can apply the paint. Use a paint sprayer, paintbrush or roller to apply the paint evenly.  

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying time. You may need to apply multiple coats to achieve the desired color and finish.

Image of emerald paint product

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Once the paint has dried completely, you can reattach the hardware and remove the painter’s tape. Inspect your work and touch up any areas that need it.

 

Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets Today!

In conclusion, painting your kitchen cabinets is a great way to give your kitchen a new look without spending a lot of money. With the right materials and a little bit of patience, you can transform your kitchen into a beautiful space that you’ll love spending time in! 

Reach out to our team at Kind Home Painting Company if you have any questions and we’d be happy to help you with your cabinet painting project!

5 HOA Friendly Colorado Exterior Color Schemes

5 HOA Friendly Colorado Exterior Color Schemes

Finding the perfect paint colors for the exterior of your home is hard, but it’s even harder when you’re part of an HOA. HOAs, or Homeowners Associations, are great because they help protect the value of homes within the neighborhood and help create a cohesive feeling throughout the community.  That being said, they can also be a pain to work with.  Here are tips straight from your Colorado paint pros about how to submit your exterior paint colors to your HOA for approval along with a selection of popular HOA color schemes curated for you by our professional color consultants.

 

Before You Submit Colors to Your HOA

There are a few things you need to know before you’re ready to submit any colors to your HOA.  

 

1. Check for Pre-Approved Colorsphoto of a nice colorado exterior home

If you’re lucky enough to be part of an HOA with a list of pre-approved color schemes, then yay! Pre-approved colors can greatly improve your chances of approval and some HOAs don’t even require approval for pre-approved schemes! While pre-approved colors can limit your options, it will make the selection process much easier. 

 

2. Ask About Their Specific Approval Process

Every HOA is different, so you’ll want to contact your specific HOA directly for details about their color approval process and requirements. Some HOAs require a submission fee and paint chips or color links, while others may require you to paint samples on your garage so they can be viewed before approving. It’s best to accommodate these steps as much as possible and work within your HOA’s guidelines. Othersies, you may wind up with any issues.

Note that you will most likely not be able to use colors that are too similar to your neighbors. Many HOAs value variation between each home. If you submit colors that are the same or similar to the neighbors on either side of your home or across the street, they will likely be denied and a waste of time. 

 

3. Plan Accordingly

Most HOAs review color scheme submissions at a meeting together before they approve or deny your any paint colors. That means that the frequency of which your HOA meets could have a big impact on your project timeline. Here in Colorado, HOAs typically have 14-60 days for approval.  Highlands Ranch, HRCA, is one of the fastest turn around times for color approvals with homeowners typically receiving approval within 1-2 weeks.

If your HOA requires more than a couple of weeks to approve colors then you’ll want to make sure you plan your paint project accordingly. It’s vital to make sure you have enough time to select colors, submit them, and get approval before any paint is purchased. Otherwise, this can create delays on your project and be costly to change. 

 

HOA Friendly Color Schemes from Color Consultants

 

Exterior Color Scheme #1

simulated image from sherwin williams color visualizer of exterior w/acier color scheme

Created using Sherwin Williams Color Snap Visualizer

 

Body – Acier 9170

Trim – Shoji White 7042

Accent – Carnelian 7580

In this color scheme we have a classic gray body with just a touch of warmth. We find this color scheme to be warm and inviting. Shoji White on the trim brings a nice contrast without feeling too sharp, and a deep red door helps everything feel grounded and harmonious.

 

Exterior Color Scheme #2

simulated image from sherwin williams color visualizer of exterior w/evergreen fog color scheme

Body – Evergreen Fog 9130

Trim – Alabaster 7008

Accent – Dark Night 6237

Green saw a huge surge in popularity last year with Evergreen Fog being a favorite amongst homeowners.  We’ve paired it here with Alabaster, which is a beautiful, bright white. Dark Night adds a dark, but subtle accent.

 

Exterior Color Scheme #3

simulated image from sherwin williams color visualizer of exterior w/slate tile color scheme

Body – Slate Tile 7624

Trim – Pure White 7005

Accent – Peppercorn 7674

Blue is one of the most commonly requested colors for the exterior of homes. It’s also the most common favorite color in the world, so that makes perfect sense! Slate Tile is a stunning blue-gray that really gives you that punch of blue without looking cartoonish. We’ve paired it here with the crisp Pure White and have Peppercorn as a warm, grounding accent color.

 

Exterior Color Scheme #4

simulated image from sherwin williams color visualizer of exterior w/craftsman brown color scheme

Body – Craftsman Brown 2835

Trim – Roycroft Bronze Green 2846

Accent – Roycroft Copper Red 2839

This scheme is perfect for those of you who have a craftsman style home and want a traditional color scheme that doesn’t feel dated. Craftsman Brown is a nice neutral and when paired with Roycroft Bronze Green it feels like a classic Colorado color combination.  We’ve rounded it out with Roycroft Copper Red which would make for a fantastic front door color, but please DO NOT use it on shutters as this can result in a clown-like appearance.

 

Exterior Color Scheme #5

simulated image from sherwin williams color visualizer of exterior w/gray matters color scheme

Body – Gray Matters 7066

Trim – Pure White 7005

Accent – Tricorn Black 6258

Gray never goes out of style and Grey Matters is a wonderful, middle of the road option that isn’t too warm or cool. To make sure this scheme didn’t end up feeling too warm, we paired it with classics like Pure White on the trim and Tricorn Black as the accent. 

Fun fact–Tricorn Black is the absolute darkest black paint color available from widely available paint retailers!

 

Getting HOA Approval

What makes these schemes HOA friendly is that they are all neutrals, or based on earth tones, which is a huge trend for covenant controlled neighborhoods here in Colorado. If you need more inspiration we recommend driving around your own neighborhood to view other homes. This will help you get ideas for what you’d like to see on your own home. For more color tips and tricks be sure to follow us on Pinterest and Instagram where we post weekly! 

If you need any further assistance with selecting colors, you can easily schedule an appointment with one of our certified Color Designers HERE. And if you’d like more information, feel free to give us a call at (720) 637-4805.

Denver’s Best Stucco Repair

Denver’s Best Stucco Repair

Denver’s Best Stucco Repair

When a client begins the process of painting their home there are often times we find another service may be needed prior to paint. As a Denver painting company we are primarily working on homes that are 20+ years old, so wear and tear is a factor on every project. One of the most common issues we run into when painting is damaged stucco. Stucco damage occurs over time and is very common, especially with the fluctuations in temperature that we experience here in Colorado. We work with a local stucco company that does incredible work to help our clients get the best finished product possible. 

Can You Paint Stucco?

We get asked all the time whether or not you can paint stucco.  Yes, you absolutely can paint stucco!  Painting stucco is an easy and cost effective way to refresh faded or dingy stucco and create a fresh and uniform look.  Much like paint, stucco is tinted with pigments to give it it’s color. When using any exterior product we all know nothing can last forever and stucco is no different.  Over time you may experience a variety of failures with your stucco including fading or discoloration.

 

photo of a white painted stucco home

 

What Does Stucco Damage Look Like?

Identifying stucco damage is one of the first steps when it comes to painting or maintaining your stucco home.  We recommend each homeowner do a thorough inspection and note any areas of concern.  You can alternatively work with a stucco or paint professional to review the current condition of your stucco.  

During this inspection be sure to note any damage to the stucco. Some things to look out for include fading, discoloration, cracking, or even missing pieces of stucco.  It’s wise to look near gutters and downspouts, around windows and doors, and along the foundation and at corners. These are some of the areas where you’ll often experience failures in the stucco first. 

 

photo of cracked stucco

 

When Should You Contact a Stucco Expert?

For many stucco issues like fading, discoloration, or hairline cracks your exterior painter will be able to take care of those items. These issues are often either fixed by the paint itself or a stucco repair compound is used to fill in smaller cracks.  If you’re experiencing larger issues with your stucco, then be sure to talk to an expert as your home will require more extensive repairs.  

Any larger stucco repairs should be taken care of ahead of painting so that they have time to set. Don’t worry about matching your existing stucco exactly with the repair as it will be covered with the fresh coat of paint.

photo of someone repair stucco and smoothing it over

Denver’s Best Stucco Repair

Being in the industry, we’ve been lucky enough to make some incredible connections within the home improvement field.  Since we work with a lot of clients with stucco homes we’ve partnered with Sarge and Co. Professional Stucco Services.  Perry Babel and his team bring decades of experience and knowledge to every project and can help with big or small stucco projects. Sarge and Co. is locally based and operated out of Morrison, Colorado and Perry services all of the Denver metro area.  

Whether you are painting or not, you should always address stucco repairs as quickly as possible because they can lead to more extensive damage. If you’re considering painting your stucco then schedule a free consultation to get the ball rolling. 

5 Bathroom Paint Colors for Dark, Moody Bathrooms

5 Bathroom Paint Colors for Dark, Moody Bathrooms

5 Bathroom Paint Colors for Dark, Moody Bathrooms

There’s just something fun about using dark paint colors to create a moody and dramatic space.  They’re versatile in the sense that you can use a little to create a focal point or a lot to create an overall effect.  Either way, dark, theatrical colors are a huge paint color trend for 2023. Bathrooms happen to be a great way to try out this trend without overcommitting.  Keep reading to learn about our top 5 bathroom paint colors to try for dark, moody bathrooms in 2023. 

Urbane Bronze

sherwin williams color visualizer of a bathroom with urbane bronze walls

Urbane Bronze is an incredible combination of black, gray, and brown.  It’s beautiful on both exteriors and interiors and it’s a great way to ease into the dark paint color trend we’re seeing this year.  It’s a very grounded color and pairs well with neutrals like tan or greige colors so it’s great for creating a sophisticated and tranquil space.  For the largest impact, consider using Urbane Bronze on your bathroom walls, trim, and ceilings to create a cozy feeling that you’ll love spending time in.

Hale Navy HC-154

If you’re not quite ready to dive into the super dark paint colors, but you want to give this trend a try, check out Hale Navy. It’s a classic color from Benjamin Moore that has a huge fanbase.  It’s a bit more modern than some traditional navy blues because it features a slightly gray undertone. The gray undertone really helps to ground the paint color.  Hale Navy is beautiful on cabinets or walls and pairs really well with white trim for that crisp, clean contrast.  

Greenblack 6994

sherwin williams color visualizer of a bathroom with greenblack walls

For our bravest souls that love trying a new paint color trend we have Greenblack.  This color is not subtle and is sure to bring that wow factor to your bathroom.  The base is a cool black with a slightly green undertone and it works exceptionally well on walls and cabinetry.  If it feels a little intense, consider doing just your cabinets or an accent wall to draw the eye and create a statement.  When going with a black paint color, try to look for one that has some kind of undertone rather than a classic black because those undertones add a lot of personality and help the color feel much more dynamic within your space. 

Dark Purple 2073-10

Some clients are really looking for a moody vibe that still feels romantic and inviting.  Dark Purple from Benjamin Moore checks all of the boxes with a rich plum tone that brings a hint of mystery and glamour to any space.  We love this for a bathroom because it’s not a color you see all of the time, so it will definitely stand out. This bathroom paint color pairs really well with white, black, or even tan countertops. So grab a sample and see if you feel like it works within your space.

Mount Etna 7625

sherwin williams color visualizer of a bathroom with mount etna walls

Blue is the most commonly requested color our designers receive, so we had to include a couple blue options.  Mount Etna from Sherwin Williams is sure to stun with it’s slate gray base and subtle green undertones. It’s a very interesting and universally appealing color. Try this as an allover color or create a statement piece by painting your bathroom cabinets in this dramatic and moody paint color.   

Painter for a Day

Bathrooms are a great way to test this paint color trend out because they’re small and often closed off from other spaces. So they are great for a unique color scheme without creating a lack of harmony with the rest of the house. However, it can be difficult to find a professional interior painter to help tackle a project this small. Most companies prioritize larger projects where they can make more money. 

Here at Kind Home Painting Co. we’re committed to helping as many homeowners as possible to create the home and space they’ve been dreaming of. Since we understand how difficult it can be to find a painter for smaller paint projects we created our Painter for a Day program.  This program offers straightforward, flat-rate pricing and a one-year warranty on all small painting projects.  You can also add on a professional color consultation with a color designer to help you land on the perfect deep paint color that provides the impact you’re looking for.  Use this link to request a complimentary estimate and get your project started today!

How Much Doest Interior Painting Cost in Colorado

How Much Doest Interior Painting Cost in Colorado

How Much Does Interior Painting Cost In Colorado?

It’s that time of year in Colorado when everyone starts planning their home improvement projects for the year.

If one of those projects is painting the interior of your home, one of the biggest questions you may have is, how much does interior painting cost in Colorado? And it’s a great question to ask!

In this blog we will discuss and breakdown the different factors that can affect how much it costs to paint your interior in Colorado and dig into some average job sizes based on our painting services.

How Much Does Interior Painting Cost Per Square Foot?

Most everyone starts in the same place— how many square feet is my home and how much per square foot will it cost to paint? The size of your home absolutely plays a large role in how much it will cost to paint your interior.

If you have a bigger home it will obviously cost more to paint, and if your home is smaller it will cost less to paint. The items that are getting painted is also an important factor to consider. If you’re painting the walls only, that will be less expensive than painting the walls, ceilings, trim and doors.

 

photo of an interior library/study

 

Another factor to consider is the overall scope of workwhat specific areas and how much surface area of the walls, ceilings, trim and doors of the space you are looking to paint? These are the main drivers in the overall cost. 

What we’ve found is this can vary from client to client based on their wants and needs. It can also vary home to home based on the design and layout of the specific home. Modern homes with an open floor plan have fewer walls by the nature of their design, while older homes (with each room and area being closed off) can have more wall surface area by the nature of their design.

Knowing the square footage of a home can help to give an idea of the cost range for interior painting; however, there are many more factors to consider to determine an accurate cost for each home.

What Goes Into Figuring Material & Labor Costs?

When we look at estimating the price to paint an interior, there are many variables and factors that go into working up that price. The two main factors are materials and labor. 

  • How many gallons of primer and paint are required? 
  • How many days will it take to complete the work? 

The amount of paint required is fairly simple to determine. You take the square footage of the surface area of walls, ceilings, trim & doors you intend to paint and divide it by the specified square foot coverage of the paint product you are using. 

 

image of interior being painted with plastic covering the furniture

 

For example, if the paint you use specifies that a gallon can cover 250-350 Square feet of surface area and you have 6000 square feet of walls and ceilings to paint, you would divide 6000/250 to get (24) gallons of paint. We always recommend utilizing the lower end of paint coverage specification to ensure full coverage, especially when changing colors.

How many days it will take really depends on how complicated the actual painting is. If there are several areas with 2nd story or 3rd story walls, that can take more time to paint than a ranch style home with single story walls throughout.

Whether the home is in great shape or if it has extensive repair work that needs to be completed prior to painting can influence the final cost as well. Repairs create the need for more materials and more labor.

What Other Factors Can Increase the Cost of My Interior Paint Project?

Now that we have a working understanding of some main factors let’s dig into some smaller details.  

There are many items to paint in a home, some of them can be more labor intensive than others and require specialty materials for lasting durability. 

If you want to paint wood that is currently stained, like kitchen cabinets, stair railings or doors and trim, the cost of your project will increase significantly. To properly paint these items and achieve a long lasting aesthetically pleasing finish,  you must follow specific processes and utilize specific material. 

Let’s talk about cabinet painting

  • First, painters will disassemble cabinets and thoroughly protect the work area, next they will rinse down cabinets with lacquer thinner and wipe them dry. 
  • The next step would be to sand everything and then fully prime them with specialty primer. 
  • After the primer coat has dried it’s time for a quick buff with sandpaper and then on to the first coat of paint. Once that has dried, a second top coat is applied.

With all of that labor and the cost of the specialty products used to paint cabinets, the price increase adds up. If you decide to paint your cabinets along with the interior of your home it can add anywhere from $3,000-$8,000+ to your project depending on how many cabinets you have in your home.

 

 

Will It Cost More To Use Higher Quality Materials?

Another element to consider is the quality of paint being used on the project.  Some companies use lower quality paint and others use higher quality paint. There can be a difference of up to $50 per gallon between different paints. When you use 20-40 gallons to paint the interior of a home that cost adds up quickly!  

We always recommend using high quality paint and materials so you get a better return on your investment. Higher quality paint looks better and lasts longer, it resists damage due to moisture and wear and tear better, it is easier to clean and maintain AND touch-ups are easier to perform and look better.

What’s The Average Interior Cost to Paint In Colorado?

Here at Kind Home Painting Company in Denver, Colorado we painted over 250 home interiors in 2022.  The pricing ranged from $2,500-$40,000 for interior painting and the average project price was $7,699.

As you can see there is a large range of pricing associated with painting the interior of a home. To get an accurate idea of how much it may cost to paint your specific home, we always recommend getting an estimate from a qualified painting company.

If you’d like to learn more about our specific painting processes you can visit our Youtube page or if you’d like to  schedule a Denver interior painting estimate to learn what it will cost for your project you can do so HERE.