Quick answer: Yes, you can paint kitchen cabinets and wardrobes, and it costs a fraction of replacing them. The secret is preparation: degrease, sand, apply a bonding primer, then finish with a hard-wearing enamel or spray-applied finish. Ordinary wall paint will chip and stain within weeks.
Many Kenyan kitchens have solid, well-built cabinets in dated colours: orange-brown varnish, faded white melamine or worn MDF. Repainting them is one of the best-value home upgrades. The kitchen looks new in a few days, without the cost and mess of a full renovation.
What cabinets can be painted?
| Material | Can it be painted? | Key step |
|---|---|---|
| Solid wood (mvuli, cypress, mahogany) | Yes, excellent | Sand off old varnish, wood primer |
| MDF (painted or raw) | Yes | Seal edges, which absorb more paint |
| Melamine / laminate | Yes, with the right primer | Scuff-sand and use a bonding primer |
| Peeling foil or vinyl wrap | Remove the foil first | Strip, fill and prime |
| Water-swollen chipboard | Replace | Paint will not fix swelling |
How professional painters refinish cabinets
- Remove doors, drawers and handles, and label each one for its position.
- Degrease thoroughly. Kitchen grease is the main cause of paint failure.
- Repair: fill dents and chips, and fix loose hinges.
- Sand to remove gloss and give the primer something to grip.
- Prime with a bonding or wood primer suited to the surface.
- Apply two finish coats. Spray-applied gives the smoothest, factory-like look, or brush and roll with a fine foam roller.
- Cure and refit: let the finish harden before rehanging doors and fitting new handles.
Brush, roller or spray?
Spray painting gives the smoothest, most professional finish on doors and panels, with no brush marks. That is why many clients choose spray for cabinets, wardrobes and furniture. Doors are usually sprayed off-site or in a protected area, while frames are finished in place. Learn more about our spray painting services in Nairobi.
Popular cabinet colours
- White or off-white: bright and timeless. Use a hard enamel because white shows marks.
- Sage or olive green: very popular, warm and natural with wood worktops.
- Navy blue: elegant with brass or gold handles.
- Charcoal or black: modern with white walls and light worktops.
- Two-tone: darker lower cabinets with light upper cabinets.
Match your walls using our guide to the best paint for kitchens and bathrooms.
What does it cost?
Cabinet painting is usually priced per door and drawer front, or as a package for the whole kitchen, depending on condition, size and finish. Spray finishes cost more than brush finishes. Either way, refinishing usually costs a fraction of new cabinets, and the kitchen is usable again within days. We give a fixed quote after seeing the kitchen.
Beyond the kitchen
- Wardrobes and built-in cupboards
- Interior doors and frames
- Bathroom vanities (with moisture-resistant finishes)
- Furniture: tables, sideboards, beds and office furniture
Caring for painted cabinets
- Avoid heavy use and scrubbing for the first two weeks while the finish cures.
- Clean with a soft cloth and mild soap, never abrasive scourers.
- Wipe up spills and grease quickly near the cooker.
- Keep a small tin of the colour for touch-ups.
Ready to refresh your kitchen? BrushMasters paints and sprays cabinets, wardrobes and doors across Nairobi. Book a free site visit for a fixed quote, or see our interior painting service.
