Cabinet Refinishing
Kitchen, bar desk and hutch painted dark gray
Kitchen, bar desk and hutch painted dark gray. These are before and after photos from the job. This cabinet refinishing project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Cherry Kitchen Cabinets, Built-In Bar Desk and an Oak Hutch Painted Dark Charcoal Gray
This project tied three pieces together with one dark color. The first is a U-shaped kitchen with reddish cherry cabinets, crown molding, open end shelves and a peninsula. In the before photo, small squares of blue tape mark each door so it can return to the right spot, and a drill sits on the counter. The second is a built-in desk nook used as a bar. It has raised panel doors, fluted side trim, an arched open cubby and mail slots above a speckled countertop. The third is a freestanding oak hutch with an arched glass door, a drawer and turned legs, shown in our shop. In the after photos the kitchen and desk are a deep charcoal gray with a smooth satin sheen, and the brushed nickel knobs went back on. The close-up shows crisp detail in the raised panels and crown. The hutch is now a near-black charcoal inside and out, so it matches the kitchen.
How We Painted This Kitchen, Desk and Hutch Dark Gray
- We labeled every door and drawer with tape, removed the knobs and hinges and took the doors and the hutch to our shop for spraying.
- In the kitchen, counters, appliances and the oak floors were covered before the cabinet boxes and the built-in desk were cleaned and sanded.
- Cherry cabinets have a smooth factory finish, so we degreased and scuff sanded them so the primer would bond rather than peel.
- The oak hutch was sanded in the shop, with care around the arched door frame, the drawer front and the turned legs.
- We primed all of the pieces with a bonding primer, then masked the hutch glass so the arched door frame could be sprayed cleanly.
- Two finish coats of dark charcoal were sprayed on the doors, drawers and hutch, while face frames and the desk were painted in place.
- Once the paint cured, we rehung the doors, reinstalled the brushed nickel knobs and delivered the hutch back so the whole space matched.
Paint Colors Similar to This Dark Gray Kitchen
These are similar dark grays to consider for cabinets, built-ins and furniture like these, but none is the exact color on this kitchen, so test a sample first.
Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore SW 7069
A deep, soft charcoal close to these kitchen cabinets, and it pairs well with brushed nickel knobs and warm oak floors.
Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal HC-166
A rich charcoal with a slight warmth, a good match for the built-in desk and for cabinets next to cream walls.
Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn SW 7674
A slightly lighter dark gray that would give a similar look with a bit less contrast, useful in a kitchen with less light.
Questions About Dark Gray Kitchen Cabinets
Do dark gray cabinets make a kitchen feel smaller?
They can in a small, dim room. In a kitchen with good lighting, light walls and a lighter floor, dark gray feels rich rather than heavy. Recessed lights and light counters, as in this kitchen, help balance dark cabinets. Sampling a large board helps you judge it in your space.
Can furniture be painted to match kitchen cabinets?
Yes. Hutches, desks and side pieces can be painted the same color for a built-in look. Furniture needs the same cleaning, sanding and priming steps as cabinets. Glass doors are masked, and turned legs, curves and carved trim take extra hand work to get an even coat.
Why label cabinet doors before painting?
Every door is hung and adjusted to fit its opening. Hinges wear into place over time, so swapping doors can cause uneven gaps. Labeling each door and drawer makes sure everything returns to its own spot and lines up the way it did before.
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