As mentioned in our previous kitchen update, we chose to embrace the existing mauve laminate countertops and pursue a tone-on-tone look for this first phase of the renovation. Instead of gutting the space right away, we focused on smaller, high-impact changes that would let us live comfortably in the kitchen while we figure out future plans.
After completing five quick and inexpensive updates a few weeks earlier that already improved the room significantly, we realized that painting the old, chipped cabinets would make the kitchen feel much less worn and far more cohesive. We tested two mauve paint samples on cabinet doors, and both of us preferred the darker tone that closely matched the counters.
The chosen color is Sherwin Williams Artsy Pink, applied in their Emerald satin finish. Below is a summary of how the cabinet painting went and a few additional updates we completed at the same time, including installing hidden hinges, which made a big difference for a modest cost.
Here’s how the kitchen looks now. We also painted the dishwasher to match the cabinets, which helped the lower run feel continuous rather than interrupted by a stark white appliance.
For context, here’s a before photo showing the kitchen as it looked when we bought the house. The space feels noticeably more open and much more like our style after these updates, which makes it far more enjoyable to use every day.
This kitchen sits in the center of our home and gets heavy daily use—especially now with virtual learning—so creating a comfortable, functional space was a priority. Painting the cabinets made a big difference in how the room feels and functions for our routine.
Interestingly, during renovation work—when soffits were removed and the floor was being patched—we discovered remnants of the kitchen’s previous mauve paint. At one point the walls and even the cabinet toe kicks were that color, so choosing mauve felt like a full-circle moment that ties the room’s history to its present look.
Fun fact: Artsy Pink sits right next to the White Truffle swatch we used on our duplex doors, so the new cabinet color coordinates nicely with other paint choices we’ve made in the house.
How We Painted The Cabinets
We followed a straightforward process that we’ve used before. First, we removed every door and drawer, along with their hardware and old hinges. We installed new hidden hinges for a cleaner look and smoother operation.
All surfaces were wiped with a liquid deglosser to remove grease and grime that can interfere with paint adhesion. We also scraped old stickers and labels from the backs of doors—some dated back decades—then lightly sanded each door with an electric sander to ensure the new paint would adhere well. Sanding revealed spots where the previous finish had poor adhesion, so that prep step was worthwhile.
We primed both sides of each door with a stain-blocking primer and used a 4″ foam roller to get smooth, brushstroke-free coverage. Because this kitchen only has seven doors and five drawers total, the project moved quickly—even though we allowed proper drying and curing time between steps.
After priming, we applied two coats of Artsy Pink to both sides of each door and let them cure for about four days before reinstalling. Because the kitchen is small, the job required less than a quart of paint total.
In the kitchen, we sanded and filled holes in the cabinet frames where old hinges had been removed, then primed and painted the frames and the insides of the cabinets with two coats of semi-gloss white. Painting the interiors refreshed the unfinished plywood boxes and made the cabinets feel much more complete.
To protect the refreshed interiors, we added thick clear shelf liners. Overall, supplies including the paint, rollers, wood putty, and new hidden hinges came in under $100 for the entire update.
Up close, the cabinets were previously scuffed and worn, but after thorough prep and painting they look fresh and smooth both inside and out.
Painting The Dishwasher Mauve
We also painted the dishwasher to match the cabinets. After lightly sanding the surface, we rolled on the same Artsy Pink paint used for the doors. The paint has held up well through regular use and steam cycles, and visually it helps the lower cabinet run read as one continuous unit rather than being interrupted by a stark white appliance.
If you’re working with a small kitchen, repainting doors, the cabinet interiors, and even an appliance face can dramatically improve cohesion and perceived space. We’ll share a separate post with tips on organizing a compact kitchen and how we made this smaller footprint function so well.
Since this post, we have fully renovated the kitchen with new cabinets and continued the mauve paint theme. We’ll continue to document updates, finishes, and organization strategies as the project evolves.
For those curious about wall colors, we’ve also written about our favorite neutral, Edgecomb Gray, and shown it in various rooms to help with color decisions.
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