Diy kitchen on a budget

DIYmummy

My kitchen could REALLY use some updating. It's a horrible council kitchen (I think the cabinets are melamine?) and the previous tenant has installed the most awful turquoise tiles. I want to paint my cabinet doors and install new handles. I am also going to replace the Worktops and flooring. I will be living here at least 8 years so want to do it up room by room.

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions on painting my kitchen cabinets to a good standard instead of having to buy new ones? I have upcycled a lot of furniture so have experience but I have a lot of cabinets (22 drawers and doors) so want to make sure I get it right.

What kind of primer would I need to use? Do I need to sand them down? Can I use standard emulsion and varnish to seal or do I need to use specialist wood paint?

I also want to paint my tiles too rather than having the huge job of pulling them all off and starting again. Do I need to prime these and how does it work over the grout lines etc?

Just looking for some ideas and suggestions on paint too. I love Farrow and Ball shades but I have read several bad reviews about the coverage and obviously it's quite expensive.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

TIA.

spadoosh

For best finish on your units a spray paint.

After realising you dont want to empty about 20 cans of spray paint in your house, the next best option is Ronseals Melamine and MDF paint (cupboard paint).

Its a one coat product, no priming required and providing you dont have much in the way of contours, would encourage using a roller, a gloss one. The paint is expensive, that said, you (should) avoid loads of coats and loads of sanding.

Im really bad at painting though, every piece of furniture ive hand painted, looks like it was hand painted.

I think painting tiles looks bad, wont be long before the paint starts coming away, particularly on a floor, youll have horrible wiggly un neat lines etc. Id be looking at vinyl flooring on top of the tiles as an alternative to painting. Well that or laminate but likely a bit more money.


What i will say is if your units are pretty solid (And not a horrible colour) doors arent actually that expensive when looking at expenses in a kitchen. B&Q are selling 500mm doors from about £8 per door.

FreeBear

spadoosh wrote: »

doors arent actually that expensive when looking at expenses in a kitchen. B&Q are selling 500mm doors from about £8 per door.

Replacement doors may be an option, but you do need to watch the hinge placement. If the new doors have a different hinge location, the carcasses will need new holes drilled.

esmy

I painted my melamine kitchen cupboards earlier this year with B&Q cupboard paint. I primed them with Zinnser BIN and I've been happy with them. However I have since discovered Frenchic Al Fresco paint which I've used on various items of furniture and wish I'd found it sooner! No priming, water resistant (formulated for outdoor use) dries quickly, no smell at all, expensive IMO but goes a long way, marks wipe off easily. If you're used to upcycling you'll have no problem using it.

If you're on Facebook have a look at the Frenchic Fan Forum - lots of examples of kitchens there including tiles.

bjt2019

Literally the quickest fix to update your kitchen is with a new floor or new counter tops like you've said. Mother-in-law has just done hers (she was on a budget like you, don't think anyone wants to fork out this close to christmas) and got all new laminate for something ridiculous like £115?