Kitchen cabinet make overs can be done in less than a day. If you have read some of the pages of this web site, you know that I can be a spontaneous designer. Well, recently I did just that.

About ten years ago, I took wooden cabinets and primed and painted them white. I used a oil base paint to penetrate the older looking wood color. The first time priming and painting did require a little extra work. After about five years I wanted to create a new look in the kitchen. I liked the white, but wanted to have a little fun with adding a couple of other colors.

There is a whimsical theme in the kitchen, but I wanted to change the appearance to give the option of creating a little more formal and crisp look. There is a page in whimsical themes, that gave you some suggestions on redoing your cabinets. Below are two pictures of adding two other colors to the foundation white tone.















This look was enjoyed and it gave the kitchen a warm clean and fun feel to the room. Sometimes I feel a decorating change coming on but not sure what to do. I had a sample can of a warm green paint I had used from a small project. I got into one of my modes and started painting one of the cabinets. Now common sense tells you that this paint isn't going to be enough. I wasn't sure how it would turn out but figure I could clean off the paint before it dried if it wasn't the right look. I started this project around noon, and also went and got a larger can of paint.

Cost, $14.00. Of course there was my own labor involved, but I got into that decorating mood, which is for me a way to unwind and relax. I put on my favorite CD and the make over began.

The walls are small striped wallpaper and I wanted to bring out the green in the kitchen cabinet color. I decided to keep it a uniformed look and also painted the handles in the same color green. I worked throughout the afternoon. By late afternoon the cabinets were finished. As the paint dried, I could see that there would have to be touch up done.

A good tip is to wait for the paint to harden before putting on a touch up coat. I also went over the white foundation paint around the base counter tops. It's a good idea not to do this step until the new paint has also dried.The next morning I went and did the touch up work on both the cabinets and white foundation paint. Below are three different pictures of how this inexpensive project turned out.









This entire area of the kitchen looks brand new. There were nails above the cabinets with nothing on them. I played around with different items that would blend in well, and also continue the whimsical theme. Baskets add a lot to the area as well as the different trinkets I put along with the baskets. If you have shelves instead of wall above, this is a great area to display your different accessories that will blend in with the color and theme.

Bottom line, less then a day, a little labor, $14.00, and a new look for the kitchen. I did this redecorating being spontaneous, but you can go ahead and plan for a small make over that won't be that time consuming. Great way to continue the theme of 2009 - create your own and save.

This particular small project or make over may not be for everyone, but for those of you that get tired of a certain look and have the option of repainting an area, this is a simple idea for you. Whether you are doing a small make over or an entire room, make sure you plan all aspects of the room. Think of the ceiling, walls, floors, accents, and the accessories you will be using. Balancing a room with all these items is a key giving that make over a wonderful look as well as for you to enjoy.