6 Expert Ways to Update Cherry Cabinets to Help Them Look Brand New

09.02.2024 - 12:54 / thespruce.com

Cherry wood-stained cabinetry was once a popular home feature in the 1990s. But after years of use, these cabinets started to feel outdated in some homes, especially in the wake of light wood cabinets and all-white kitchen trends.

If you have an older home that needs a refresh in its cherry wood cabinets, believe it or not, there are quite a few ways to change up your cabinetry without the expense of completely replacing it.

We talked to expert designers, gathering advice on how to update cherry wood cabinets to make them feel brand new again. Read on for all the best tips and tricks according to the experts.

Kathryn Murphy Interiors

Painting your cherry wood-stained cabinetry is a great way to update them. Kathryn Murphy, founder and principal at Kathryn Murphy Interiors, used Farrow and Ball’s Green Smoke paint color to completely change the look of these cherry cabinets to offer a more muted tone in the kitchen. But consider more than just the cabinet paint color.

“When choosing a paint, make sure you look for a cabinet enamel, as it will dry harder and last better on your cabinets,” Murphy says. Murphy likes to go with an eggshell or semi-gloss sheen depending on the room's style.

The color she used in the interior space above was an eggshell sheen. While this and other types of cabinet enamel will last longer than regular paint, you will still need to be prepared for future touchups.

“Even properly painted cabinets will show wear and lots of life happens in the kitchen," she says.

Properly prepping the cabinets before painting them can make all the difference. Murphy suggests a thorough cleaning.

Murphy suggests using a deglosser before sanding everything down, priming, and making sure all the materials you