Cabinet Refinishing · Oct 2019
Kitchen island painted navy
Kitchen island painted navy. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken Oct 2019. 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.
Before and After Photos
White Raised-Panel Kitchen Island Painted a Deep Navy Blue
This kitchen has white raised-panel cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash, a stainless range and wide-plank oak floors with a dark stain. The island was white like the rest of the cabinets before the work, with a light speckled granite top, satin nickel cup pulls on the drawers and small round knobs on the doors. The before photos show brown paper taped to the floor around the island in neat strips, and blue tape running along the edge of the countertop. In progress, the island end panel and its base molding are coated in deep navy, with the outlet cover removed and tape still on the floor. In the after photos, the island doors, drawer fronts, end panels and toe kick are all a rich, deep navy with a soft sheen. The nickel pulls and knobs stand out against the dark blue, and the island now contrasts with the white perimeter cabinets and light granite.
How We Painted This Kitchen Island Navy
- We covered the floor around the island with paper and taped it down tight, and taped the full edge of the granite top so no paint reached the stone.
- We removed the cup pulls, knobs and outlet cover, and labeled each drawer and door so everything returned to the right spot.
- We cleaned the island with a degreaser, since hands and cooking leave oils on the lower cabinets, then scuff sanded the white finish.
- We applied a bonding primer to the doors, drawer fronts, end panels and base molding so the navy would grip the smooth factory finish.
- We applied two coats of deep navy cabinet paint, working the color into the raised-panel profiles and keeping the long end panels free of lap marks.
- After the paint cured, we reinstalled the pulls, knobs and outlet cover, pulled the tape and paper, and checked every drawer for a smooth fit.
Paint Colors Similar to This Navy Kitchen Island
If you want a navy island with white cabinets, these are similar colors to consider. They are not the exact color used on this island.
Benjamin Moore Hale Navy HC-154
A classic deep navy close to this island. It pairs well with white raised-panel cabinets, light granite and satin nickel pulls.
Sherwin-Williams Needlepoint Navy SW 0032
A navy with a slight gray softness. It suits an island that sits next to warm oak floors and a white subway backsplash.
Sherwin-Williams Naval SW 6244
A rich, dark navy for a bold island. It reads almost black in low light and blue in daylight, like the finish here.
Questions About Painting a Kitchen Island a Contrast Color
Should my island be a different color from my cabinets?
A contrast island is a popular way to add color without painting the whole kitchen. Navy, green and charcoal are common choices with white cabinets. It works best when the island color ties to something nearby, like the floors, stools or hardware. Keeping the perimeter white keeps the room bright.
Can factory-finished cabinets be painted?
Yes. Factory finishes are smooth and hard, so they need a good cleaning, a scuff sand and a bonding primer before paint. Skipping these steps can lead to chips and peeling. With the right prep, a painted island can hold up well to daily use.
Does a navy island show scratches and wear?
Dark colors can show light scratches and dust more than white. The lower panels and toe kick get bumped by feet and chairs. A durable cabinet paint helps, and keeping a little touch-up paint on hand makes small fixes easy. Wipe spills with a soft cloth and mild soap.
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