DIY

Can You Paint Kitchen Cabinets With Chalk Finish Paint?

kitchen cabinets painted with navy chalk finish paint black appliances

It seems like everyday customers ask about painting their kitchen cabinets with House&Canvas Chalk Finish Furniture Paint.  I’ve painted plenty of cabinets, and tons of built-ins, but only had feedback from the customers and designers who had actually painted kitchens to rely on.  In order to gain first-hand knowledge so I could accurately provide advice, I was determined to find a kitchen to paint.

I would have loved to have painted my own, but I just had it gutted and spent a bloody fortune on new custom cabinets.  So, my kitchen was out of the question and thought my laundry room cabinets were a possibility, they don’t receive the same wear – I wanted a real kitchen.  Luckily, I have an awesome customer that has welcomed me into her home numerous times, and she excitedly said “my kitchen is all yours”!!!

Here Are A Few Pics Of Her Kitchen BEFORE:

Black fridge and old cupboards.
Unpainted kitchen with old wood cupboards.
Blank unpainted  wall in kitchen.

  We talked about doing several colors (NOT white haha), and finally decided that a trendy, deep blue on the cabinets, would be a dramatic change and would update the space.  Here is the design board I came up with.  

A display board showing all the options

I custom mixed my own paint and came up with a custom color that inspired what is now House&Canvas Industrial Blue.   This was by far, the biggest project I have tackled to date.  Organization, patience, and planning were key. I knew this was going to take a while, but I was prepared.  

Here Is The Beautiful Kitchen AFTER:

Kitchen Cuboards with window, painted Navy Blue with Chalk Finish Paint.
Look at L shaped kitchen, stove and fridge are black, white counter, navy blue painted cupboards.
Navy kitchen with chalk finish paint overlooking dining room table

The walls were painted Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Grey.

I also painted a table and chairs for the space.  The pedestal of the table is painted in the same Industrial Blue as the cabinets, and the chairs are done in House&Canvas Linen.  I reupholstered the seats and sewed the curtain panels in fabric from Fabricville which is known as Fabricland in Canada.

Dining room table, sunny window, tulips on glass table with navy frame.
Re-upholstered chairs with patters, navy blue chair legs.
Chair and Navy Blue drawer and cupboard.
Dining room set and yellow tulips

All light fixtures, cabinet hardware, and the rug are from Home Depot, and the gorgeous wall mirror (I still regret not picking one up for myself) is from good ol’ Home Sense.   Last but not least was this adorable cabinet the family had.  I painted the outside in Linen and the inside in the Industrial Blue to tie everything together. Accessories I scooped up from a local  Target before it closed down 🙁  

Close up of old cabinet, baskets and picture frame on top.
Cabinet in corner with decor on top

The difference is night and day.  I couldn’t be more proud of this space, and I am very appreciative of the family that welcomed me in their home!!   You can easily transform your kitchen with just a few coats of paint and some House&Canvas Furniture Wax and a little bit of hard work.  All painted surfaces will show wear in high traffic areas over time (eg. your garbage cupboard), Furniture Wax ads a protective layer to your cabinet.  Unlike other topcoats like Poly that can yellow, using Furniture Wax and Chalk Finish Paint allow you to as make touch-ups as you need without any evidence.  Almost all cabinets need touch-ups at some point, Furniture Wax and Chalk Finish Paint make it possible to keep your kitchen cabinets looking as good as new.

Green cabinet on left, painted cabinet on right.
Frige and cupboards before on left, Navy chalk finish paint on right cupboards.
Kitchen before and after.  Empty wall on left, complete kitchen on right.