Spruce up your kitchen | OuterBanks Mom

Dirt, grease, spillages, children with grubby little fingers and a propensity to crayon on every available surface all contribute to your kitchen needing a freshen-up every now and then.

However, if like me the vast sum necessary to have a new kitchen fitted makes you feel queasy, it may be time to get stuck into some DIY.

Something all budget-heeding but house-proud parents should know is how to paint kitchen cabinet doors, because they can spruce up the most worn out kitchen, and it’s relatively easy to do.

However, painting must be done properly or else you run the risk of a very unattractive flaky result.

So here are some instructions that I hope will help.

• 1.      Remove all the kitchen doors and cabinets you are going to paint and put them in the garage or somewhere away from inquisitive little fingers.

• 2.      Number them so you know which doors go where or take before and after shots with a camera.

• 3.      Put all the screws in a safe place, a sandwich bag is a good holdall; you will kick yourself if you lose them!

• 4.      Wear some old clothes that you don’t mind ruining!

• 5.      Now it’s time to start sanding down your cupboards. Buy lots of sandpaper from your local DIY store and rub the cabinet doors until you have created a key, a rough surface that you can paint upon.

• 6.      Put low tack masking tape around the edges of the kitchen cabinet carcasses.

• 7.      Then paint the rubbed down wooden surface with wood primer. Ensure the primer is stain blocking and sealing

• 8.       Always use a paint brush, not a roller, they are more delicate to use on areas of this small size. Wait until the first coat dries and do a second. I always do two layers both of wood primer and of paint to ensure and even, professional finish.

• 9.      After it’s died use some fine sand paper to remove any spots.

• 10.  Then paint in your colour of choice. There are loads of paints to choose from nowadays including eco-friendly options so you don’t have to worry about fumes.  I, again, always do two coats.

If in doubt go to your local DIY store and ask for some advice. Staff are normally more than willing to share their knowledge with you