Many kitchen renovations begin with new countertops and replacing oak cabinets with weeks of construction. This kitchen took a different approach. Instead of replacing existing cabinets, Reddit user u/Kevinsmith1987 Spray painted them white using a Graco X5 sprayer and Rainer 2K water-based lacquer system.
The layout, countertops, backsplash, flooring and appliances all remained the same. What started out as a standard builder-grade kitchen has a brighter, more updated look without changing a single cabinet box.
Builder-grade oak cabinets cover every wall
The original kitchen featured rows of oak cabinets spanning almost every wall surface. White countertops and a gray mosaic backsplash provided contrast, but the wood cabinetry remained the dominant visual element throughout the room.
Large sections of uninterrupted oak created a uniform look that emphasized the cabinetry more than the overall space. The kitchen offered considerable storage and counter space, yet the finish reflected the typical builder-grade look seen in many homes from the period.
Each surface was protected before spraying began
Rather than removing the cabinets for factory refinishing, the project was completed on site.
Countertops, flooring, walls, appliances, openings and cabinet interiors were covered with masking paper and tape. Door panels, drawer fronts and surrounding surfaces received extensive preparation to isolate the areas receiving paint.
The amount of masking required highlights one of the most time-consuming parts of cabinet refinishing. Paint application often takes less time than preparing the room for spraying.
Spray equipment replaces brushes and rollers
The makeover was based on a Graco X5 sprayer and multi-coat paint system instead of brushes and rollers.
This process covered the cabinet doors, drawer fronts and frames with a uniform finish while preserving the existing vertical-panel detailing. The finished cabinetry looks very different from the original oak, even though the cabinet remains the same.
White paint draws attention away from the cabinetry
Once the white finish covers the oak surfaces, the visual balance of the kitchen changes immediately.
Instead of drawing attention to wood grain and cabinet color, cabinetry became a gentle backdrop for countertops, backsplashes, hardware, and appliances. The room looked bigger because the tall walls of cabinets reflected more light instead of absorbing it.
The length of the cabinetry also felt more continuous from one end of the room to the other.
Existing countertops and backsplashes play a different role
No changes were made to the countertops or backsplash, although both looked different after the cabinets were painted.
The gray-and-white mosaic tile achieved greater contrast against the surrounding surfaces. Stainless steel appliances stood out more prominently, while bright countertops blended naturally with new cabinet finishes.
Keeping these existing elements significantly reduced the scope and cost of the project while still allowing for significant change.
White paint breaks up the oak wall
The kitchen has a long run of upper and lower cabinets on almost every wall. Before the makeover, the oak finish created the cabinetry that people noticed upon entering the room.
After painting, the cabinet walls blended into the surrounding surfaces rather than standing out from them. Lighter finishes draw attention to the countertops, backsplash and overall size of the kitchen rather than the cabinetry.
Same layout, same cabinets, completely different kitchen
A side-by-side comparison shows just how much cabinet color can affect a kitchen.
No walls have been moved. No cabinet boxes were replaced. The backsplash, countertops, flooring, appliances, sink and overall layout remained intact. The primary change came from preparation, primer, spray equipment and a new finish.
Same cabinets, same layout and same footprint, but the kitchen now presents itself in a completely different way.
All credits go to the Reddit user u/Kevinsmith1987.
