Living Room Cabinet Mistakes To Avoid in Rolling Hills, CA
In painting your living room cabinets, you are likely going to notice that there are some things you can do to get them looking better more easily.
However, it is just as important that you realize that there are certain mistakes you can make in painting that will make it cost you more and perhaps even take longer than you would want.
Let’s have a look at some living room cabinet mistakes to avoid in order to make for a better painted set of living room cabinets.
1. Not Sanding Your Cabinets
One thing that’s going to make your cabinet painting work a bit more difficult is if you don’t have smooth surfaces on which to paint.
There are a couple of things that you can do to get smoother painting surfaces, those being sanding the surface to be painted and making use of a primer before you use paint.
The use of primer is of course important but if you do not also sand the rough cabinets before they are painted, you will likely find that it is more difficult to properly continue with the painting project.
Gently sand the surfaces (a gentle sanding is all that is needed) and you will find that the cabinets will be much easier to paint – and the paint will ultimately adhere better.
2. Leaving The Doors And Drawers On While You Paint
While you paint your cabinets, it may occur to you that you will get the painting work done more quickly if you just leave the doors and drawers on, but this is not the case.
When you leave the doors and drawers on the cabinets, it is more difficult to access certain parts of the cabinets – and on top of this, you won’t be able to paint the doors and drawers as well.
By detaching the doors and drawers, you will not only get better access to the cabinet but you will be able to properly paint the doors (which should be painted while laying flat rather than hanging up)
3. Not Thinking About Your Color Choice
You have quite a number of colors that will be available for you as you prepare to paint your living room cabinets but if you are not careful with your choice, you very well may make a choice in color or colors that you will ultimately come to not like.
You can of course make use of some of the color guides that you will find in any standard paint store, but it may not give you an accurate idea of how the color or colors will look on your cabinets.
However, getting a few small samples of paint and then applying a little paint to the surfaces being painted will give you a much better idea of how each color will look.
4. Using Inexpensive Paint Brushes
Lastly, remember that when you are looking for ways to save money on your cabinet painting project, you should certainly not do so by making use of inexpensive paint brushes.
Though you might not see the harm in making use of inexpensive paintbrushes, the reality is that the money that you save on paintbrushes will be more than lost in other ways.
In a sense, you will be losing out during the painting process because making use of cheaper paint brushes is going to be more difficult a process than using better made paint brushes — it will be more difficult to apply the primer and the paint, that is.
Moreover, you run the very great risk that in the process of painting, you could find bristles from the brush in the paint and if you do not remove the bristles before the paint dries, it will make even more of a mess.
FAQs
1. Why does skipping sanding create problems you can still see months later?
Answer: Sanding isn’t just a prep ritual—it’s how you earn a smooth, durable finish. If you paint over rough or glossy cabinet surfaces, paint struggles to grip, so you may notice uneven texture, weak adhesion, and faster wear. A gentle sanding plus primer helps the paint lay flatter and hold up longer.
2. If leaving doors and drawers on feels faster, why does it usually slow you down?
Answer: Keeping doors and drawers attached blocks access to edges and hard-to-reach areas, so you end up doing awkward touch-ups later. Detached pieces are easier to coat evenly, and doors paint best laid flat rather than hanging. The “shortcut” often creates drips, missed spots, and extra correction time.
3. How can a “perfect” color choice turn into regret once it’s on your cabinets?
Answer: Paint chips and store guides can mislead because your living room lighting and cabinet material change how color reads. A shade that feels calm on paper may look harsh or muddy on a larger surface. Testing small samples directly on the cabinet gives a truer preview before committing.
4. What’s the hidden cost of using inexpensive paint brushes on cabinets?
Answer: Cheaper brushes can make primer and paint harder to apply smoothly, which increases your labor and the odds of visible brush marks. They also shed bristles into wet paint, forcing you to pick them out before the finish dries—or risk a permanently rough, messy look. Quality tools protect your final result.
5. What mindset shift prevents most living room cabinet painting mistakes in the first place?
Answer: Treat cabinet painting like a system, not a single step. Prep (gentle sanding and primer), smart disassembly (remove doors and drawers), thoughtful color testing, and reliable tools all work together. If one part is rushed, the finish pays the price in adhesion, access, accuracy, and texture.
Cooley Brothers Painting is a locally owned, owner-operated, family business in Torrance, California. Call the office at 310-378-4575 or email us: info@cooleybrothers.com. You can also use our contact page to reach us.
Related: 7 More Ways To Boost Your Curb Appeal in Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Painting An Accent Wall In Your Living Room in Rolling Hills, CA
7 Tips For Painting The Ceiling Without Getting Paint On The Wall in Rolling Hill, CA
David Cooley, the esteemed owner of Cooley Brothers Painting, has established himself as a leading figure in the painting industry. With a rich history of delivering unparalleled service in Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, and Rolling Hills, his hands-on approach and dedication to quality have shaped Cooley Brothers Painting into a trusted name for exceptional painting services. With a focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and community engagement, David’s leadership continues guiding his team toward new heights of excellence and reliability in every project.
