How to Paint Your Bathroom Vanity

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Bathroom vanities are more than just storage space, they can have style and give your bathroom and house a fresh look. Painting bathroom cabinets allow you to change the look of your bathroom every few years. This keeps your bathroom looking clean and modern.

We will guide you and show you how to paint bathroom vanity cabinets, in a professional way. It is cheaper than replacing your cabinets and it will give you a chance to choose the right shade and color for your bathroom cabinets.

Project Overview

Estimated cost $100-$150
Time: 2 to 3 days
Difficulty: Easy
Skill requirement: Beginner

Tools and Materials You Will Need to Paint Your Bathroom Vanity

It is important to have all the tools and materials ready before painting your bathroom vanity. Here’s the list:

Tools:

For painting:

Natural-bristle paint brush
Synthetic-bristle paint brush
Paint roller
Paint tray
Paint stick
Paint scraper.

For cleaning and replacing any hardware:

Work gloves
Respirator
Sandpaper
Screwdriver
Clean sponge
Scissors
Pen.

Materials:

Paint
Primer
Degreasing cleaner
Bucket
Painting tarp
Painter’s tape
Rags.

What Kind of Paint to Use on Bathroom

The right paint is important! Latex paints can be a good choice of bathroom vanity paint because they are easy to clean up and dry fast. Water-based paint is a popular choice as well, particularly when they have a glossy finish that has been cured to resist the humidity of bathrooms. It is important to get a satin or semi-gloss type of paint for bathroom cabinets, as this will increase the durability of high moisture rooms.

The best paint for a bathroom vanity needs to be water-resistant, so the matte finishes popular for kitchen cabinets aren’t a great option. Because bathrooms have high wear and tear when it comes to painting, as well as a tendency to form mildew, the quality of your paint is significant.

Behr latex enamel paint is a budget-friendly choice of bathroom vanity paint, and Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel paint is an excellent water-based paint that gives a luxurious finish to your bathroom cabinets.

What Primer Should You Use to Paint Bathroom Cabinets?

Oil-based primer paints are highly recommended for moist environments like bathrooms. Mildew-proof latex-based paints can also be used because they dry faster. However, oil-based primers or shellac are often used as a primer for bathroom vanity, as they are more moisture-resistant. Use a natural bristle brush for grooves and corners, and use a roller for larger surfaces.

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Most Popular Colors for Bathroom Vanities

If you’re looking to transform your bathroom, a good start is picking the right bathroom vanity colors. Whether you’re updating your bathroom or doing a full remodel with a professional house painting company, painting a bathroom cabinet is a great way to upgrade your space.

Go with the classics! White, off-whites, and grays have long been the most popular bathroom cabinet colors.
If you’re going for a bolder look, try a dark blue with some fun accents.
Follow your heart! If these trendy bathroom vanity colors go with your walls and floor, you can even try out the popular shades of sage green or pale blush.

6 Simple Steps to Paint Your Bathroom Cabinets or Vanity

Wondering about the best way to paint bathroom vanity? It is vital to follow these steps in how to paint a bathroom vanity to achieve the best results. This will turn your dingy old cabinets into a modern bathroom vanity.

Step 1: Prepare Your Bathroom Vanity for Painting

This step is important to make sure that you are ready to tackle this project. This first step will ensure that you will be organized, and it won’t be time-consuming. Skipping or not following all the instructions outlined below may cause you some trouble down the line.

Empty the cabinets and the bathroom toiletries from the room.
Remove the knobs and hinges with a screwdriver from the cabinets.
Place all screws and knobs in labeled plastic bags.
Remove the drawers.
Use painter’s tape to label your drawers after you have painted them separately, so they’ll be easy to put back up.
Clean all the surfaces of the cabinets.
Use a degreasing cleaner to clean the cabinets again.
Rinse the cabinets to make sure that the degreasing cleaner is washed off properly.
Place a painting tarp around the cabinets.

Step 2: Tape Your Bathroom Vanity with Painter's Tape

Painter’s tape is a painter’s best assistant, proper use of painter’s tape will ensure that only the parts of the cabinets you want to paint will be painted. Place the tape on all the walls that are connected to your bathroom cabinets and the insides of the cabinets unless you want to paint those too.

Step 3: Patch and Sand the Bathroom Vanity

Gently sanding your bathroom cabinets before painting improves the adhesion of the paint. It will allow the primer paint to properly coat the cabinets. It is important to sand down the cabinets gently with 120-220-grade sandpaper to ensure the surface is smooth and dull.

If you are sanding down a cabinet that is older or is unfinished it is recommended to use higher-grade sandpaper. If, however, the cabinets are almost new then lower-grade sandpaper will suffice. It is important to smooth down all imperfections before applying the primer.

Step 4: Apply the Primer

Oil-based primer paints are highly recommended for moist environments like bathrooms. Mildew-proof latex-based paints can also be used because they dry faster, however, oil-based primers or shellac are often used as they are more moist-resistant. Use a natural bristle brush for grooves and corners and use a roller for larger surfaces.

It is important to uniformly apply a generous layer of primer and let it dry. Once applied you may need to add an additional coat for good measure depending on what it looks like once dried. Please remember when painting to always paint in the direction of the wood grain on the cabinets to ensure better results.

It is important to not forget to apply primer to the disassembled doors and drawers of the bathroom cabinets as well. Please be mindful when painting the drawers and doors to not paint over the labels that let you know where they go, this is to ensure that assembly of the cabinets will be quick and easy.

Step 5: Paint Your Bathroom Vanity

The following are just a few key tips for painting bathroom vanity or cabinets:

Professional cabinet painters recommend you use your paint within the first 24 hours of mixing it for the best results. It is also important that you stir the paint very well, thoroughly mixing it before pouring it onto your paint tray.
Before applying the paint, make sure that your coat of primer is fully dry.
For oil-based paints, it is important to use a natural bristle brush to paint the grooves and corners just like with the primer, and use a roller to paint the wider surfaces. These paints also take longer to dry, so check that they’ve dried before adding another coat.
For latex paints, which dry faster, use a synthetic roller or bristle brush when painting bathroom cabinets.
Paint in long, smooth strokes in the direction of the wood grain to ensure the paint seeps into the cracks of the wood.
Start painting the disassembled drawers and doors first. Then if you wish to paint the insides of your cabinets, move on to the outside of your bathroom cabinets.
Avoid painting over any marks that indicate which way your doors and drawers go.
When applying the finishing paint, it is recommended to paint thinner layers of paint on to avoid drips. You can always add additional coats if necessary.
It is paramount to allow the paint to dry fully before adding additional coats of paint because otherwise it will not stick as well and might get messy.

Step 6: Reassemble the Vanity

When it comes time to reassemble your bathroom cabinets, make sure the paint is fully dry. If you need to drill holes to attach the cabinet doors, then make sure you do it gently and carefully so as to not scrape off the paint. Once your cabinets are assembled make sure that each drawer and door can open and close with ease.

Some Tips on How to Easily Redo a Bathroom

Replace the old and outdated hardware on your bathroom cabinet or vanity. Trading in gold for brushed nickel can do wonders for the look of the room.
One of the best ways to transform your bathroom is to replace or refinish bathroom vanity countertops. Paired with a new faucet, this can be a great upgrade for your bathroom.
Paint the base of your vanity in beautiful paint colors that brighten up the room. Painting bathroom cabinets with a fresh coat of paint can have a significant effect, and isn’t as costly as you may think!
Replace old light fixtures for an updated look.

Conclusion

Painting a bathroom vanity is a great project for any season and whatever reason. If your bathroom vanity is looking dingy and dull and you are looking to add a splash of color to your house, it may be the perfect time to refinish bathroom vanity. Having the right look and atmosphere will turn your house into a home.

Contact Oahu Pro Painters to get your bathroom cabinets looking brand-new or schedule an estimate today!