Black, White or Two-Tone: Repainting Kitchen Cabinets in Spring Hill and Columbia

Kitchen cabinets can be repainted in almost any color, including the opposite of what they are now. One of the clearest examples we have is a kitchen in Columbia.

A Columbia kitchen: deep black to crisp white

When the Columbia homeowners first called us, their cabinets were a deep black. They wanted a lighter feel in the kitchen, and the goal was as stark a change as possible: painting over the black with a bright, crisp white. We wrote about the job on our old blog in 2019.

A change that drastic depends on prep. The process on that kitchen was:

1. Take it apart. Doors, drawers and hinges came off so every surface could be reached and finished.
2. Clean. All the surfaces were cleaned thoroughly, because paint won't bond to kitchen grease and hand oils.
3. Fill and repair. Holes and damage were filled and repaired as needed.
4. Sand, vacuum and tack. Sanding gives the primer something to grip, and vacuuming and tacking remove the dust so it doesn't end up in the finish.
5. Prime. A durable primer went on before any white. Going from black to white is where primer earns its place: it gives the white an even base to cover.
6. Caulk. Seams and dents were caulked so the white reads as one clean surface.
7. Paint. The cabinet boxes, doors and drawers were painted, with enough drying time between steps for a durable finish.

Our standard cabinet system is one coat of primer and two finish coats.

Choosing light, dark or both

The Columbia kitchen went all one color. Many kitchens in Spring Hill, Thompson's Station and Columbia have builder cabinets in a single stained wood tone or a plain white, and a two-tone scheme is another way to change them. Common combinations:

Dark lowers, light uppers. Navy, charcoal or deep green on the lower cabinets with white or cream above. The darker base grounds the room, and the lighter uppers keep it bright.

A contrasting island. All the perimeter cabinets in one color and the island in another. This is the gentlest way to add color, and a good option if you're unsure.

Black and white together. A high-contrast look that suits both farmhouse and modern kitchens. It works best when the countertop and hardware tie the two colors together.

Wood and paint. Painting the perimeter and keeping a wood-toned island, or the reverse, adds warmth.

Getting the color right

• Start with what's staying. Your countertop, backsplash and flooring limit which colors will look right. Hold samples against them.
• Look in your own light. The same white can look warm in one kitchen and gray in another. Test samples on the cabinets themselves, morning and evening.
• Think about hardware. Brass, black and nickel each change how a color reads. Choose them together.
• Plan for wear. Very dark and very bright cabinets both show fingerprints more than mid-tones.

Is painting the right choice?

Painting works best when the cabinet boxes and doors are solid, the layout suits the way you cook, and you're happy with your countertops. If doors are warped, the cabinet under the sink is water-damaged, or the layout itself is the problem, replacing some cabinets may be the better choice. A good estimate should tell you which one your kitchen needs.

Living with new paint

Cabinet enamel dries quickly but keeps curing for 2–4 weeks. During that time, close doors and drawers gently and wipe spills with a soft, damp cloth instead of scrubbing. Once cured, the finish is hard and easy to clean.

How we can help

Nash Painting has painted Middle Tennessee homes since 2009. There's no deposit, the written bid lists exactly which cabinets and surfaces are included, and painting work carries a warranty of up to 10 years, depending on the package. See our cabinet painting page, read about our work in Columbia, or schedule an estimate.