Cabinet Refinishing
Kitchen wood cabinets painted gray
Kitchen wood cabinets painted 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.
Oak Kitchen Cabinets Painted Light Gray With New Walls and Hardware
The before photos show a U-shaped kitchen with golden oak cabinets, crown molding on the uppers, small brass knobs, and new white quartz-look counters with a full-height white backsplash. The walls were a strong sage green, and drop cloths in the dining area show the job just getting started. In the finished photos, every upper, lower and peninsula cabinet is a soft light gray with a smooth satin finish. Even the long back panel of the peninsula, which faces the dining room, is now the same gray. The crown molding on the uppers is gray too, so the cabinets read as one clean shape up to the ceiling. Brushed nickel bar pulls replaced the brass knobs. The green walls are now a warm off-white, and a mid-tone wood-look floor runs through the room, which makes the space feel open and bright.
Our Steps for Painting Oak Kitchen Cabinets Gray
- We protected the new counters, backsplash, appliances and floors with paper, plastic and tape. Fresh countertops need careful masking because paint and sanding dust can mark them.
- Doors and drawer fronts were removed and labeled, and the old brass knobs set aside. Knob holes that did not fit the new bar pulls were filled and sanded smooth.
- All cabinet surfaces were cleaned with a degreaser and scuff-sanded. Oak grain holds dust, so we vacuumed and wiped every piece before priming.
- A bonding, stain-blocking primer went on next. It grips the old finish and keeps oak tannins from tinting a light gray color over time.
- We applied two finish coats of light gray cabinet enamel to the doors, drawers, boxes, crown and peninsula panel, keeping the panel edges sharp.
- The sage walls were primed where needed and painted a warm off-white. Last, we rehung the doors and installed the brushed nickel pulls.
Paint Colors Similar to These Light Gray Kitchen Cabinets
Here are similar grays and a wall white to consider for a kitchen like this. They are not the exact paint used on these cabinets or walls.
Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray HC-170
A light cool gray very close to these cabinets. It looks clean with white counters and brushed nickel pulls.
Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray SW 7015
A softer, warmer gray for anyone who wants a little less cool tone. It still suits a white backsplash and wood-look floors.
Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
A warm off-white like the new wall color. It keeps a gray kitchen from feeling cold and brightens the room.
Questions About Painting Kitchen Cabinets Light Gray
Should I paint cabinets before or after new countertops go in?
Either can work. Painting before counters means less masking, but installers can scuff the fresh paint. Painting after counters, as on this job, protects the cabinet finish but requires careful covering of the new surface. Many homeowners prefer counters first so the paint color can be matched to them.
Is light gray a good choice for kitchen cabinets?
Light gray is a popular, flexible choice. It hides everyday smudges better than bright white and works with white, gray or wood-tone counters. It pairs with nickel, chrome or black hardware. Seeing a sample door in your own kitchen light helps, since grays can look blue, green or warm.
Do the cabinet boxes and crown molding get painted too?
Yes. For a finished look, the cabinet boxes, end panels, crown molding and peninsula backs are painted to match the doors. Leaving any oak showing makes the change look half done. Inside the boxes is usually left as is unless the homeowner asks for it.
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