How to Paint Bathroom Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re looking for an easy, budget-friendly way to transform your bathroom, painting your cabinets is one of the best routes to take. I’ve experienced firsthand just how dramatic the change can be—we recently painted the IKEA cabinets in our daughters’ bathroom a deep navy, and let me tell you, the before-and-after is like night and day! The rich hue instantly elevated the space, making it feel fresh and modern without the big expense of a new bathroom vanity. It’s one of those projects where a little effort goes a long way, and I’m excited to show you how you can tackle it too!

Step 1: Remove Doors, Drawers, and Hardware

First things first, use a drill or screwdriver to take off all the doors and drawer fronts from the vanity. This will make the painting process much easier and ensure a more professional-looking result. Trust me, you don’t want to try painting around hinges or hardware—it’s a nightmare, and you’re bound to end up with streaks or missed spots. Once everything is removed, place all your screws, hinges, and knobs in a safe spot.

If you’re planning to change the hardware (which I highly recommend for an extra boost of style!), now’s the time to take note of the new measurements. If your new hardware doesn’t match the size of your old ones, you’ll need to fill the existing holes.

Step 2: Fill the Old Hardware Holes (If Needed)

Here’s where wood filler comes in handy. If you’re switching to new hardware that’s a different size, fill in the old hardware holes with wood filler. Use a putty knife to smooth it over the holes, and make sure you press the filler in well so it doesn’t sink as it dries. After the filler is completely dry, sand the area until it’s smooth and flush with the rest of the cabinet door. Wipe the door again with a microfiber cloth or a tack cloth to remove any fine dust.

This step is key if you want a seamless, professional finish. It might seem tedious, but don’t skip it! Having old hardware holes peeking through your new paint job would completely ruin the fresh look.

Step 3: Clean the Cabinets

Before you start painting, you’ve got to get rid of any dirt, grime, or grease that’s built up on the cabinet doors over time. Bathrooms can be sneaky when it comes to grime, and even if the cabinets don’t look dirty, there’s probably some buildup you can’t see. Grab a degreasing cleaner and give the doors a good scrub. I like Rustoleum Krud Kutter.

If you’ve got a built-in vanity like we do, you might only need to paint the doors themselves. However, if your vanity sides and top are visible, make sure you give them a thorough cleaning too. You don’t want any dust or grease interfering with your primer and paint.

Step 4: Prime the Cabinets and Doors

I can’t stress this enough—primer is essential! Skipping this important prep step is a recipe for disaster, especially if your cabinets are laminate, like a lot of IKEA vanities. Primer ensures that your paint adheres properly and lasts for years to come. For our project, we used a bonding primer that sticks to most surfaces, even tricky ones like laminate. It creates the perfect base for your paint to go on smoothly and evenly. I like to use Behr Bonding Primer for projects like this.

Apply a thin, even coat of bonding primer to the cabinet doors and the vanity cabinet frame itself (if necessary). We used a paint sprayer, but you could also use a foam roller and small paint brush for the detail work. Don’t rush this step—good primer coverage will make all the difference. Once the primer is on, let it dry for at least 24 hours. If you can let it cure longer, even better! The longer you wait, the stronger the bond between the primer and the surface. I find one coat of primer – as long as it’s a good bonding primer – is enough.

Step 5: Paint the Cabinets and Doors

Now for the fun part—painting! We went bold in our daughters’ bathroom with a deep navy cabinet, door & trim enamel (Behr Dark Denim), and I’m so glad we did. The color brought so much character to the space, and the enamel paint dries to a hard finish that’s scratch-resistant and durable—perfect for a bathroom that gets a lot of use. I highly recommend Behr Cabinet, Door & Trim Enamel for bathroom cabinets, kitchen cabinets, interior doors and trim; we’ve had great success with it! It dries to a a smooth, hard finish and I think it’s the best paint for cabinets.

For the smoothest finish, I highly recommend using a paint sprayer if you have one. A sprayer gives you a flawless, factory-like finish, but if you don’t have one on hand, don’t worry! A foam roller and a small brush for the detail work will still give you a beautiful result. Just make sure to apply the paint in thin, even coats, allowing each coat to dry fully before adding the next.

Prepare you painting space by laying down a drop cloth and a paint spraying tent if needed. If you’re also painting your medicine cabinet like we did, you’ll need to mask off any mirrors with painter’s tape. Start by painting the backs of the cabinet doors first. Once those are fully dry, flip them over and paint the front. Doing this helps prevent any smudges or drips on the front of the doors, which is where you want the smoothest finish. Repeat these steps to do a second coat of paint and a third if needed. Refer to your paint can for the recommended dry time and cure time in between coats.

If you’re also painting the bathroom vanity cabinet frame or sides, follow the same method—thin, even coats are key. It might take two or three coats to get full coverage, but take your time with each one. You’ll thank yourself when you see that beautiful, streak-free finish!

Step 6: Reattach the Doors and Install New Hardware

Once everything is dry and you’re thrilled with how it looks, it’s time to put everything back together. I recommend waiting at least another 24 hours after painting before assembling your cabinet back together, but check the recommended dry time on the paint can. Carefully reattach the doors and drawers to the vanity. Take your time here and make sure the hinges are lined up properly so the doors open and close smoothly.

Next, install your new hardware. This is where the transformation really starts to shine! Whether you’re going for sleek modern pulls or classic knobs, fresh hardware can elevate the entire look of the vanity. We used a modern brushed gold cabinet pull on our daughters’ vanity, and I love the contrast of the gold with the navy.

Final Touches

Step back and admire your hard work! The transformation of your bathroom is complete, and it probably feels like a completely different space now. Painting the cabinets is such a powerful change that can alter the entire feel of the room, and best of all, it didn’t break the bank.

In our daughters’ bathroom makeover, the deep navy cabinets gave the space a much more sophisticated, yet still playful vibe. Paired with some cabinet new hardware and accessories, it now feels like a whole new bathroom. And that’s the beauty of a DIY project like this—it allows you to customize your space exactly how you want it, without the high cost of renovations.

Updating your bathroom cabinets with a fresh coat of paint is a simple, cost-effective project that anyone can tackle. With the right tools, some patience, and a little bit of elbow grease, you can completely transform your space in just a few days. Whether you go for a bold color like we did or stick to a classic neutral, the impact of freshly painted cabinets will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into a whole new bathroom. Happy DIYing!