Painting an IKEA Metod kitchen?

[HelenHywater]

I have a white glossy ikea metod kitchen that's about 4 years old. Have completely changed my thoughts on style - was very into white, and scandi kind of style. Would like to pain the kitchen - is this possible? what paint can be used?

I know there are places that you can get new drawer fronts made, but it seems that would be the same cost as a new kitchen. I think it would be hugely wasteful for me to get a new kitchen right now, (and expensive) and want to avoid that if possible.

I have grey stone worktops, white subway tile splashbacks and large grey stone tiles on the floor.

I am currently painting a wooden kitchen to make it look like something from the present century. It updates an old kitchen, but I can't imagine it making a new kitchen look better. I think it would be a bad move to paint a four year old kitchen just to stay in fashion.

...but don't let me stop you! The one I'm doing couldn't really look worse so the paint is helping, I would hate to see a decent kitchen made to look worse than it does now. Think of all that money.

You could buy new IKEA door and drawer fronts.

I am not convinced that diy painting kitchen doors is durable enough to survive the rough and tumble of family cooking and cleaning.

Before attempting it I would buy one drawer front of the same style you have, and practice giving it a very light sand just to scuff the foil covering, or whatever finish, for grip, then use an absolute killer of a primer: Dulux Super Grip or Zinsser, then two coats of satinwood with a roller. Wait for that to cure. Then attach the drawer front and see how fucked up it gets over the next month or so – you might find it survives, in which case you can crack on. Or you might find the ballache of sanding priming, painting, drying, combined with the thought of taking off all handles, etc, makes you think “fuck it, I’ll live with the white kitchen but paint the walls and ceiling and door, and add lots of colourful art, herbs, cookbooks and crockery”.

We did this to the IKEA kitchen last summer! Nice lockdown project. We asked F&B for their advice. Lightly sand, appropriate Zinsser primer (they have different types, I looked at the data sheet, and do grey as well so darker colours look better) and then painted over. Looks nice. Was a week long project though.

ooh thanks Bakeoff - was your Ikea kitchen a glossy (not wood) one?

I suppose I could try to paint it and then if it goes really wrong update the kitchen with new drawer fronts instead. (I only have drawers).

What colour did you paint yours? I don't really care about fashion - it's just I have painted my house over lockdown in really warm, welcoming colours, so want the kitchen to be the same vibe.

@HelenHywater yeah glossy, the people before us put them in. A light sand to key the surface, I don’t think that’s needed though the Zinsser that is suitable for plastic is amazing, gives a very paintable surface. . F&B Studio Green Modern Eggshell. Three thin coats, a day between each one, they’ve stood up well since June. Tiny galley kitchen so gets knocks (and only needed one pot hence why F&B affordable). They were so good with advice via email, I sent them photos and in the shop the advisor had done her kitchen so gave us advice. A paint brush vs roller gives different appearance. We painted the walls in Wilko’s washable kitchen paint in a light pink, so very “on trend”. I’ve just gone through my photos and the before and after is drastic. Obviously it’s not high spec or perfect but it certainly isn’t amateur and our kitchen looks really cool. We were also going to cover the worktop with marmi grey or marmi white heat resistant plastic and spray paint the handles rose gold but decided not worth the bother. I got too pregnant . Can share the products I found for that. www.createyourworld.co.uk/675cm-x-1m-up-to-15m-d-c-fix-marble-grey-sticky-back-plastic-vinyl-wrap-film-200-8095-3037-p.asp

www.instagram.com/p/B_IlTW2JHxx

www.instagram.com/p/B-MlRx2prS1

The posts that inspired us to do it. The really shiny one is spray painted off site. There’s a lot out there on Instagram, step by step sharing of people diy-Ing it under the colour hashtag (not just f&b but little greene and other brands).

Thanks @BakeOffRewatch - I was thinking of green and pink too (so original!).

I only have one row of units and only base units so it shouldn't be too expensive

Frenchic have a finishing coat that protects the paint but it does give a slight sheen to the surface.

@HelenHywater either buy one drawer front or door from Ikea in the same style as yours to experiment with that or just do one door or drawer front of your current kitchen. You don't have to do them all, just one first. That way you can make a decision about the rest of them or buying replacement doors from Ikea or other places that do them.

Don't just look at doors for Ikea kitchens made by other companies, look at any custom kitchen doors. Mine is the old style Faktum kitchen, still looks new after 8 years but I am changing the doors next year. I looked at this company and was pleasantly surprised at the cost.

I'm going to get a professional to spray paint mine