If your bathroom is in desperate need of an update, there are plenty of things that you can do. You could install new floor tile. Or replace the countertop. Or completely start from scratch.
If you prefer something a little faster that'll have instant visual impact and completely change up your space, may we suggest painting the bathroom cabinets? As with any painting project, you'll need the standard supplies — things like drop cloths, painter's tape, gloves, sponges, buckets, paint trays, brushes, and rollers. And you'll also need to prep your cabinets. This includes protecting the surrounding area from paint and sawdust with plastic and drop cloths, cleaning and sanding the cabinets, and applying primer. Plan to apply at least two coats of paint to your cabinets, preferably something durable like a water-based latex option.
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
Now that you are equipped with the basics, here are seven painted bathroom cabinet before and afters to inspire your own colorful makeover.
1. From Light to Dark
When interior stylist and lifestyle journalist Bethany Campbell of The Posh Home first moved into her abode, the master bathroom clearly required some attention. Between the not-so-pretty-in-pink and gray countertops, broken cabinet doors, and unfortunate floor tile, she knew she wanted to update it in a big way. The result is what she calls a "modern, relaxing retreat" made complete with on-trend black painted cabinets.
Get the look: Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart
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2. From Dreary to Fresh
Blogger Julie Blanner achieved a stunning transformation with her painted bathroom cabinets. Originally dark and closed-in, she managed to make the space look jubilant and bright — even without windows! We love her fresh take on nautical style with powder blue cabinets and a rattan mirror.
Get the look: Clark+Kensington Evening Calm
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3. From Heavy to Airy
Certainly not a stranger to DIY projects, blogger Kris Jarrett of Driven by Decor knew what she was doing when she decided to paint her daughters' vanity, something that she says was on her "to-do list for years." She said goodbye to way-too-dark cabinets by freshening them up with some white paint.
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4. From Basic to True Blue
For this painted bathroom cabinet before and after, blogger and woodworker Angela Marie of Angela Marie Made kept things effortless and visually-pleasing. Her previously-white vanity was perfectly fine, but she kicked it up a (slight) notch by coating it in soft, classic blue paint. Although it wasn't a drastic change, it was just enough to make over her bath.
Get the look: Benjamin Moore Evening Dove
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5. From Dated to Delightful
Sisters Holly and Nat of My Sister's Suitcase love to take on DIY projects together, and this painted bathroom cabinet before and after is no exception. After moving into her home, Nat got to work on the updates she wanted to make, and the guest bathroom was always on her list. Now completed, she painted the original wood cabinets a gorgeous shade of blue that stands out beautifully.
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6. From Old-School to Modern
When she was pregnant, blogger Arin Solange of Arin Solange at Home was on a "nesting" mission to remodel her upstairs bathroom, and she succeeded. Inspired by a plant wall she saw on Pinterest, she further updated her space by painting the cabinets a brilliant shade of blue.
Get the look: Behr Layers of Ocean
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7. From Blah to Oh-So-Cool
Kristin Smith shared this painted cabinet before and after with the BB Frösch blog, spotlighting how she transformed her daughter's bathroom. Using Benjamin Moore's "Hale Navy" and BB Frösch's chalk paint powder, she made her daughter's bathroom look simultaneously vintage and current.
Get the look: Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
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