Painting old melamine/Formica wardrobes

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Our new house has the most hideous built in bedroom wardrobes! We’re slowly working our way around the house but it’s likely going’s to be a very long time before we can afford to replace them.

They are an awful shade of brown and it feels like they suck the light out of the room. I would like to as least paint them for now so that they don’t feel so depressing. But I have no idea if that would be a good idea or if I’d end up making them worse.

Has anyone done anything similar? I’m not even sure which paint to use

Chalk paint works, but then give it a coat of clear matt varnish after so it doesn’t chip. It will eventually but should protect it longer than a wax. You don’t need to sand or prime first with chalk paint, but do give it a clean.

yes I did this.
Have a look at B and Q, they have Wardrobe and Cabinet paint. I used a short haired roller to apply it, and once it has fully dried it's really hardwearing.

just had a quick google- it was Ronseal Cupboard paint we used, not the B and Q one.
Dulux do one too.

I've done this successfully. Two tips: use liquid sandpaper to key it, then use one of those mini foam rollers to get a smooth finish.

I'm looking to do this soon too, it's one of the last jobs in our house but I've been putting it off. We have a full wall of built in Schreiber wardrobes, they are fantastically built and a great lay out inside but a very 80s vibe door.

I've been doing lots of research on Facebook groups and it seems either FrenchChic or Wilko cupboard paint along with like PPs said a small roller gives the best results.

Thanks for all the replies and the tips. I didn’t even know liquid sandpaper was a thing.

I’m so glad it can be done. It was worried I’d make them look even worse, although tbh there’s not much that could be done to them that would make them look more hideous!