Repainting your ageing wardrobe doors can be an economical way to freshen up the style and colour of your bedroom interior, bring out your chosen colour scheme, and transform your bedroom to match the latest home decoration trends.
While repainting your old fitted wardrobe might not be a simple task, you can complete in an hour, the results will pay off when you see how your unique bedroom doors can transform the room’s character. Similar to interior doors, wardrobe doors need to be removed before painting, so consider enlisting the help of a friend.
Paint for Wardrobe Doors
If you are painting melamine wardrobe doors you will need to use specific melamine paint, made to cover Melamine Faced Chipboard (MFC), as melamine wood is a mixture of wood, paper and resin with a different consistency to normal wood. Melamine paint has two formulations you can choose from: you can either prime with an ordinary base coat, then finish with an MFC top coat, or use a special MFC primer, and then apply a top coat of your choice. Whichever option you choose, MFC primers and top coats are reasonably priced and widely available in all major home stores.
Select a complementary colour scheme
When you want to change the colour of your bedroom doors, you need to select a colour that matches the tones already in the room. This will give your bedroom a coordinated feel. Here are a few styles to consider:
- Monochromatic schemes: Colours from the same family will complement each other quite naturally. Different shades of the same colour can create excellent accents when you paint the closet doors.
- Cool Colour Tones: Blue base colours are considered “cool” as most people associate the colour with cooler things. Blue is also seen as a relaxing colour, which makes it perfect for the bedroom.
- Muted Colours: Selecting subdued tones for your wardrobe doors gives a bedroom a soothing quality. This will also help with making it easier for you to relax.
- Neutral Hues: Colours such as brown, grey and cream are considered neutral. If a colour has a less saturated intensity the more neutral it is. These colours always mix well with others which allows you to change the feel of the room with the change in seasons.
Before commencing with the painting of your wardrobe doors, make sure you have prepared the right materials.
What you’ll need before you start painting Wardrobe Doors
- A set of screwdrivers (just in case)
- Sandpaper
- Dusk mask and safety goggles
- A vacuum
- A damp cloth
- Sugar Soap
- Primer
- Paint, a set of painting brushes and a roller
- Free space to put the door in a horizontal position
Once you have all the supplies, and a day to spare, you’re ready to begin your wardrobe repainting project! Follow the steps below:
Start with removing the wardrobe door
Firstly, position your finger behind the hinge and push forward to release the clips. This is where your helpful assistant will be needed to stop the door from falling, and help you carry it safely to your pre-located painting spot. If you’re more of a visual learner, you might want to watch this video tutorial.
If you have sliding wardrobe doors however, the procedure to remove the door might be slightly more difficult, and you will need to use a screwdriver.
It is worth considering that the paint you’ll apply will take a sufficient amount of time to dry out. If you don’t want your clothes to be exposed to dust, flies and room smells, this is the stage when you want to replace it with a temporary solution. You can use a thick curtain, a tablecloth, cardboard, or ideally, a piece of plywood, if you can find one spare.
Next, smooth the door’s surface
While bedroom doors are unlikely to have sustained as much damage as external or internal doors, it is worth lightly sanding them with a medium to fine-grit sandpaper (120 to 220-grit), to ensure a smooth working surface.
For any deeper cracks, use a specialist filler, which can be purchased from most home stores, to fill in and repair the cracks before sanding.
To avoid inhaling the fine dust, remember to always wear a dust mask and safety goggles when you’re sanding.
Clear the leftover dust and use sugar soap
Before you start priming, you’ll need to vacuum all the dust and wipe the surface of the wardrobe door with a damp cloth.
Follow up by applying Sugar Soap. This light detergent is essential before completing paintwork, as it removes grease and grime without leaving any residue. Use it to wipe down the wardrobe door one final time, and you’ll be ready for the next stage.
Time to prime
Coat the top of the wardrobe door with primer, then move on to the sides. The primer will protect the door’s surface from moisture and damp, while also smoothening your working area so the paint can glide seamlessly. If you want to prime and subsequently paint the opposite side of the door, wait for the primer to dry out, before flipping it over.
Ensure the primer has dried out completely before you begin painting. Don’t panic if the primer is not entirely smooth. You can always use the fine-grit sandpaper to even it out.
Repainting the melamine wardrobe door
Prepare your brushes, stir your paint, and start your project. Remember, investing in high-quality paint will deliver better colour-saturation, and ensure lasting results.
Using the correct painting technique is crucial to a fantastic outcome. Paint down, starting from the top of the door, and use a wide brush for the corners and crevices. Apply two to three coats of paint, depending on the desired colour result. Small details should be repainted individually, after finishing the wider parts of the door.
Once the paint has dried out, protect your work by applying an additional transparent top coat layer, if you wish.
Reattach the door
Reattaching your wardrobe door is as simple as taking it off. Align the hinge with the hinge plate, and click into position. Similar to Step 1, it might be better to have a friend helping you to complete this task in a safe manner.
Your old wardrobe now looks brand new, all thanks to a simple repainting makeover.
If your wardrobe or interior doors are ageing but you don’t really have the time or nerve to complete a repainting project, Kitchen Door Hub can help. Take a look at our replacement wardrobe door range to find the perfect style and finish to match your bedroom interior. Our wide range of products includes both standard size and made to measure bedroom doors, in a range of styles, and comes with a 6-year guarantee.
