As mentioned in our previous kitchen update, we decided to lean into the existing mauve laminate counters and take a tone-on-tone approach for Phase One. Instead of gutting the space, we focused on smaller, high-impact changes that would make the kitchen feel refreshed and more usable for a long time. You can read more about why we prefer gradual updates in that earlier post.
After completing a handful of quick updates a few weeks earlier, we realized that painting the old, chipping cabinet doors would dramatically improve the room’s overall feel. We tested two mauve paint samples on a couple of cabinet doors and both liked the darker shade that nearly matched the counters.
The winner was Sherwin Williams Artsy Pink (we used their Emerald line in a satin finish). Below is an overview of how we tackled the cabinet painting project and a few simultaneous upgrades—like installing hidden hinges—that made a big difference for a modest cost.
Here’s the kitchen now. We also painted the dishwasher to blend with the new cabinet color, which helped the lower run read more cohesively. The result feels more intentional and less worn.
For comparison, here’s the kitchen the day we bought the house. The updated palette and repairs make the space feel more open and more like us, which turns a room we use constantly into one we enjoy being in.
This kitchen sits at the heart of the house and gets daily use—especially with virtual learning and kids doing tasks at the table—so making it comfortable and functional was a priority.
Fun fact: during demolition and soffit removal we discovered the kitchen walls had previously been a mauve tone, and even the cabinet toekicks had traces of it. It felt like the room was always meant to wear this color.
Interestingly, Artsy Pink sits right next to White Truffle on the same Sherwin Williams swatch—so it echoes colors we’ve used elsewhere on the property, creating a subtle continuity across spaces.
How We Painted The Cabinets
We have a full, detailed cabinet-painting tutorial elsewhere, but here’s the concise version of our process. First, we removed all doors and drawers and took off the old hardware and hinges. We installed new concealed hinges as part of this refresh for a cleaner look.
Next we thoroughly cleaned the doors and frames with a liquid deglosser to remove grease and oil—critical in kitchens to ensure new paint adheres properly. We also scraped off an old sticker that had been stuck there for decades.
Because we couldn’t be certain how good the original paint was, we lightly sanded each door with an electric sander. That revealed a few areas with poor adhesion, so sanding was worthwhile.
We primed both sides using a stain-blocking primer and applied paint with a 4″ foam roller designed for smooth surfaces to minimize brush marks. Our entire kitchen consists of just seven doors and five drawers, so although the process was methodical, the scope was small and the project moved quickly.
After priming, we painted both sides with Artsy Pink and allowed the doors to cure for about four days before reinstalling. Letting paint cure longer makes it less susceptible to dings and wear. Because the kitchen is so small, the whole job used under a quart of paint—even with two coats.
While the doors cured, we sanded and filled old hinge holes on the cabinet frames with wood filler, then primed and painted the frames. With the doors off, we also painted the insides of the cabinets, which instantly made the interiors feel finished and refreshed.
We used two coats of a semi-gloss white on the frames and interiors (Pure White by Sherwin Williams). Painting the cabinet interiors was one of the most impactful steps because it changed them from unfinished plywood boxes to crisp, clean storage spaces.
We’ll cover organization and storage solutions in a future post, but a quick tip: repainting the insides of the cabinets is worth the extra effort, and adding thick clear shelf liners helps protect the fresh paint from scratches.
All told, the quart of paint, rollers, wood filler, and the concealed hinges came to about $96—under $100 for a big visual refresh.
Up close, the difference is obvious: the scuffs and chips are gone and the cabinet faces feel smooth and renewed. The new finish looks fresh both inside and out.
Painting The Dishwasher Mauve
We also painted the dishwasher to match the cabinets. After light sanding, we rolled on the same Artsy Pink used on the doors. The paint has adhered well through regular use and steam cycles, and it helps the lower run read as a single, cohesive unit instead of being visually interrupted by a white appliance.
If you have a small kitchen, repainting both the cabinet fronts and the appliance panel can be a cost-effective way to unify the look. This kitchen has far fewer cabinets than our previous home, so making each surface count is essential. We’ll share a separate post that details how we organize everything efficiently in a compact space.
Update: we later completed a full kitchen renovation with new cabinets and kept the mauve-painted look in that design. We’ll share tours and organization tips from that project in separate posts.
If you’re exploring paint colors, we’ve also written about a favorite neutral wall color, Edgecomb Gray, and shown how it looks in real rooms.
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