How to totally transform a tired old kitchen

To Repaint or Replace?

This pine in-frame kitchen had done it’s job well for the owner for 25 years. Except now it was tired, aged and in need of a complete overhaul. Another ageing problem is that pine absorbs sunlight and over the years turns profoundly orange, leaving a 70’s sauna feel to a kitchen – not lovely.

So whether to restore and repaint, or replace? The client called me in and we talked it through. She still found the layout worked well for her and didn’t want to change it, which is an important starting point in the repaint or replace debate. Also, a point to make here is that if I don’t think the client will fully benefit from a repaint, I will suggest replacement instead. However, this was not the case with this kitchen. It had been well designed and made. Apart from a few tweaks and repairs, it was a perfect candidate for repainting.

To fully make over this kitchen, a few other elements needed replacing, the tiles for instance! My joiner that did the repair work to the cupboards also planted some wood over the tiled border on the cooker hood, allowing me to paint it. The client and I chose new tiles, which were put on after painting. The under cabinet and main kitchen lighting was also replaced. Although the tiles and lighting needed changing the other elements such as the worktops, handles and flooring were good to keep.

I find a lot of the time the client is so overwhelmed with how dated their kitchen is that they can’t see that few simple changes can totally transform their kitchen, without the traumatic expense and inconvenience of ripping out and replacing. That’s why talking it through fully with the client reassures and inspires them with alternative, more cost effective solutions. I also helped the client choose colours for the ceiling, walls and other woodwork to pull the whole scheme together. I find this another important part of the service, to leave the client with a completely transformed kitchen. 

The Restore and Repaint

 After a colour consultation and samples of the chosen scheme were painted up and approved, it was time to start work. I find the best format for repainting begins with fixing the problems. So in came the joiner and electrician. Next I remove all the doors and drawers to take away and finish in the studio. This prevents the work being too invasive for the client and allows her to still be able to keep using her kitchen.

The first process of hand painting the kitchen is to degrease. There must be no sign of grease left on the kitchen as this can cause huge adhesion issues. Then a full sand down, removing the old varnish and providing a key for the new paint. These preparation stages are vital to ensure adhesion and longevity of finish. I am asked way too often to repaint a previously repainted kitchen. Painted by individuals that have given cheaper quotes than me and have massively cut corners on the prep and quality of paint and finish. In these circumstances the paint can start falling off as soon as the invoice has been paid. Anyway, prep done and it’s time for 2 coats of oil based specialist adhesion primer, a light sand and at least 2 coats of acrylic topcoat. Once the doors and drawers are complete in the studio, I start work on the rest of the kitchen on site. I follow the same procedure of prep and paint. Then it’s time for the reassembly. I love this part of any commission. It makes such a profound and impressive impact when the hand painted kitchen is reassembled. 

Summary

If you’re not sure if your kitchen can be repainted, just ask me. I can give you advise, styling help, colour tips and prices (if required) all from photos, if that’s easier, to get an initial idea. If you get a few prices, whoever you ask, quiz them about their repainting process, products used etc… Look at their online profile and reviews. Please don’t take a painter on because they’re the cheapest, employ them because they are the best, or the painting will not last and your money will be wasted. I am happy to give no obligation and impartial help and advice. You can find my contact details by clicking HERE.