He Spray Painted the Brown Cabinets Blue, and You’d Never Guess They’re the Same Ones

# Before: Brown stain dominated the kitchen The original kitchen had brown stained, raised-panel cabinetry across almost every visible surface — face frames, end panels, toe kicks, and crown trim. White countertops and stainless steel appliances were already in place, so the wood finish was the strongest visual element.

# The approach: paint instead of replace The homeowner, Instagram creator @mikeyamusic, kept the existing cabinet boxes and hardware layout. He removed all doors and drawer fronts, masked openings and surfaces that wouldn't be painted, and spray-painted the exposed cabinet frames, trim, and crown molding a deep blue. The interiors and the removed wood remained unpainted.

# Protection and prep Paper and blue painter's tape covered the upper cabinet openings and sealed edges around each face frame. Countertops were covered with plastic sheeting and outlets and drawers were protected. This masking allowed paint to coat only the visible exterior surfaces while keeping interiors clean.

# Reassembly: original details returned, new color carried across After painting, the raised-panel doors and drawer fronts were reinstalled. The original door profiles and trim are still evident, but their exterior is now the new blue finish. Silver-toned knobs and pulls remain, tying the cabinet hardware to the stainless appliances.

# Backsplash: a secondary but cohesive change

# What actually changed — and what didn't

# Why this matters for homeowners

# Visual contrast that reads as new Once reassembled, the combination of blue cabinets, white counters, stainless steel appliances, and the white geometric backsplash reads like a new kitchen wall. But close inspection shows the original construction and profiles stayed intact beneath the new finish.

# Quick checklist for a similar repaint project

• Remove doors and drawer fronts to access frames.
• Mask interiors, countertops, and appliances thoroughly.
• Spray or brush paint crown trim, face frames, and visible cabinet sides.
• Let painted frames cure before reinstalling doors and hardware.
• Consider a new backsplash to unify the refreshed look.

This makeover demonstrates a cost-conscious route to a striking visual update by focusing on visible surfaces and preserving what already works in the kitchen.