How to Refinish Your Bathroom Cabinets

Image by Dorothea Lucia Pietrek from Pixabay

Does your bathroom look vintage but not in a cool or trendy sort of way? If so, and you don’t have the resources or time to give your bathroom a complete remodel, you can make some minor changes to your bathroom to freshen it up.

For instance, you can plan a weekend DIY project to refinish your bathroom cabinets and give them an updated look. All you need is a few materials, paint and some elbow grease.

Materials you’ll need:

Fine grade sandpaper, water-resistant (durable) paint, primer, painters’ tape, small tarp or drop cloth, small paintbrush, small roller and a screwdriver. 

If you’re looking to replace your visible hardware (an easy task and gives it some modern flair!), you’ll also need some new knobs and/or pulls.

Once you’ve gathered your tools and materials together, you can get started.

Step 1: Remove the hardware and position painters’ tape

Unscrew all of the cabinet’s hardware so you can remove any drawers, along with the cabinet door(s). Put these aside and lay them flat on the tarp or drop cloth in preparation for painting. Next, use painters’ tape to cover any areas you don’t want to accidentally get paint on.

Tip: Place any screws and other pieces in a small baggie so they don’t get lost.

Step 2: Sand down all surfaces

Take the sandpaper and gently sand down the cabinet, door and drawer surfaces. Next, thoroughly wipe them down to remove any residual dust, grime or dirt.

Step 3: Prime the cabinet

Once the drawers are clean, you’re ready to prime your surface. Give it a good coat, you might need two, depending on the current stain or paint of your cabinet. Let the primer completely dry.

Step 4: Paint the cabinet

Take your roller and paint the larger surfaces of your cabinet, including the front of the door(s) and drawers. Use the small paintbrush to catch any details the roller can’t properly reach. If there are still some tight grooves or other areas left the paintbrush can’t adequately cover, try using a craft paintbrush to dab the paint onto these areas. Let all surfaces thoroughly dry. Apply a second coat, if necessary.

Keep in mind, if you go with an oil-based paint, which tends to last longer and is more durable, you’ll need extra time for the paint to dry, along with good ventilation. If not, you can go with a semi-gloss or satin paint that doesn’t have the same strong odor.

Step 5: Reattach door(s) & drawers

Reattach any hardware that was removed earlier and then re-screw the door(s) and drawers back onto the cabinet. If you really want a completely new look, go ahead and replace those knobs and/or pulls.

A new coat of paint can do wonders for any old bathroom, especially if a replacement isn’t in your near future. Try this easy makeover and see what a difference it really makes.