HOW TO PAINT BATHROOM VANITY CABINETS

If your bathroom vanity cabinets are looking a bit tired, or you just want to give your bathroom an updated colour, a fresh paint job may be just what you need.

A close-up of a dark bathroom vanity cabinet, white countertops, muted pink tile backsplash, and one indoor plant. A close-up of a dark bathroom vanity cabinet, white countertops, muted pink tile backsplash, and one indoor plant.
Get all the details on how to paint a bathroom vanity.

Painting bathroom cabinets is a fairly easy way to breathe new life into your space. It is also a less expensive option than replacing your bathroom vanity, and gives you greater flexibility in terms of colour choice and sheen. Choose a great bathroom paint colour, then follow our step-by-step guide.
Cleaning the bathroom vanity with a damp cloth. Cleaning the bathroom vanity with a damp cloth.

Step #1: Clean and Prep Your Space

Remove all items from your bathroom vanity and thoroughly clean the cabinets and the surrounding area using a damp cloth and degreaser if necessary (if you use a degreaser, make sure you rinse with fresh water afterward to keep the surface contaminant-free). Lay your drop cloth on the floor around your workspace to protect it from sanding dust, errant paint, etc.

Removing hardware from cabinet frame by using a screwdriver. Removing hardware from cabinet frame by using a screwdriver.

Step #2: Remove Drawers, Doors and Hardware

Remove drawers and doors from the cabinet frame. Using your screwdriver, remove all hardware, including hinges, knobs and pulls. Be sure to place all screws and hardware in a safe place and label the back of each door and drawer to ensure you put them back in the correct spot when you’re ready to reassemble the piece.


Helpful Tip

Label the backs of doors and drawers in an area that will not be visible when the project is finished, usually the area behind the hinge.
Taping the underside of a bathroom vanity. Taping the underside of a bathroom vanity.

Step #3: Tape It Up

Use painter’s tape to cover any surfaces on or near your bathroom vanity that you don’t want to paint, such as any nearby walls or the underside of the vanity countertop.

Sanding surface of bathroom vanity with sandpaper. Sanding surface of bathroom vanity with sandpaper.

Step #4: Start Sanding

If your bathroom vanity is finished (already painted or coated), sand the drawers, doors and outer cabinet frame with your sanding block with medium-grit (150) sandpaper to remove the clear coat or any uneven paint. When the surface is smooth, switch to your fine-grit (220) sandpaper for a light sanding. Sand with the grain of the wood, not against it.


Helpful Tip

If you’re working with an unfinished bathroom vanity, you’ll only need to do a light sanding with your fine-grit (220) sandpaper.
Cleaning surface of bathroom vanity with a microfibre towel. Cleaning surface of bathroom vanity with a microfibre towel.

Step #5: Clean the Surface

After sanding, vacuum the sanding dust debris, then use a microfibre towel to remove any residual dust. With a damp cloth, thoroughly clean the surface of your bathroom vanity and all drawers and doors.

Applying primer to the bathroom vanity cabinet with a roller. Applying primer to the bathroom vanity cabinet with a roller.

Step #6: Prime

Using your large paintbrush or 101.6 mm (4 in.) roller, apply an even coat of STIX® Waterborne Bonding Primer to the cabinet frame and each drawer and door. Let dry.


Helpful Tips

• If you’re going from a dark colour to a light colour, prime the bathroom cabinets twice. Your results may vary depending on the type of wood you are painting.
• If you want to save time, consider leaving the interior cabinet frame, the inside of the drawers or the backs of the doors unpainted.
• Lay drawers and doors flat for priming and painting to avoid drips and sagging for a uniform finish.
A homeowner painting bathroom cabinets using a paintbrush and ADVANCE® Interior Paint. A homeowner painting bathroom cabinets using a paintbrush and ADVANCE® Interior Paint.

Step #7: Paint

Once the primer is completely dry, use your roller or large paintbrush to apply ADVANCE® Interior Paint evenly to every surface. Switch to your smaller paintbrush to cover any details and smooth out your painted corners or edges.


Helpful Tips

• The best paint for a bathroom vanity is a waterborne alkyd paint like ADVANCE®, which offers a smooth, furniture-like finish.
• If you’re working with laminate bathroom cabinets, follow the sanding advice above for finished cabinets, and consult our guide to painting laminate furniture.
A homeowner painting bathroom cabinets blue using a roller and Benjamin Moore ADVANCE® Interior Paint. A homeowner painting bathroom cabinets blue using a roller and Benjamin Moore ADVANCE® Interior Paint.

Step #8: Let Dry and Repeat

Once the first coat is dry, repeat the painting process with a second coat of paint and allow the piece to dry completely.


Helpful Tip

Read all paint and primer instructions carefully, as dry time (the length of time before applying a new coat) and cure time (the length of time before you can return your painted surfaces to daily use) may vary. You can probably recoat after only a few hours, but you might have to wait a few days to put drawers and doors back together.
A blue painted bathroom vanity with white countertops. A blue painted bathroom vanity with white countertops.

Step #9 Reassemble Your Bathroom Vanity

Once the paint has cured, reattach any hardware you removed and replace each door and drawer in its correct location.


Helpful Tip

Got leftover paint? Try painting other indoor furniture for your next project.

Contact your local Benjamin Moore® retailer for help with all your painting needs, and find more tips in our How-To section.