Should You Paint Inside Bathroom Cabinets? (Tips & Ideas)
Painting the outside of a bathroom cabinet can be a great way to add some interest to the decor but painting inside bathroom cabinets is generally not that common.
The inside of most bathroom cabinets is not visible unless you open the door. It’s not often recommended to paint the inside of bathroom cabinets unless it’s a glass display cabinet where the contents are fully visible.
It really boils down to personal preferences and whether you’d like to invest that much time and effort into painting the inside of bathroom cabinets. Also, specific surfaces like plastic or metal may not take well to paint so it might be a waste of time.
The best way to know if you should paint the inside of the bathroom cabinets would be to decide if it will bring value to the decor.
If the inside of the cabinets is easily visible, then painting the cabinets will add that pop of color that will enhance the decor.
It’s ideal for aesthetic purposes and makes your bathroom appear unique and creative.
If you do want to paint the inside of the bathroom cabinets, there are plenty of colors that will look absolutely stunning.
Below, I’ve listed the cases in which painting the inside is a smart move and the popular colors to choose from, including tips on how to go about it.
Here’s everything you should know:
Table of Contents
Painting Inside Bathroom Cabinets
Downsides To Painting Inside Bathroom Cabinets
The reasons to paint inside a bathroom cabinet are great but it will only be fair to list a few reasons why it might not be a good idea. You can use these two factors to make the best decision:
- Time-consuming – The inside of the cabinets won’t be seen most of the time because they are behind closed doors unless you have display cabinets.
- Effort – There is a lot of effort that is needed to paint the inside of the cabinets. This might not be worth it if you only plan to open the doors for a few seconds.
- Poor finish – Certain paints can yellow over time.
When To Paint Inside Bathroom Cabinets
If you’re uncertain whether it would be feasible or worth the effort to paint inside bathroom cabinets, here are the two best reasons you can consider:
Display cabinets
For those that have glass display cabinets, painting the inside with a beautiful color will add a unique feature to the room.
Think, white cabinets with turquoise or teal for the inside of the cabinets.
This combination makes the entire cabinet stand out and is a great way to draw attention by highlighting this area of the bathroom.
You could use this as an opportunity to add an additional accent color that will go well with the rest of the bathroom decor.
Aesthetic purposes
The next reason would be to simply have it for aesthetic purposes.
If you’re the kind of person who pays attention to details, painting the inside of the cabinet will add a fun and creative element to the decor and style of the bathroom.
Imagine opening up white cabinet doors and seeing a beautiful shade of pink, yellow, or blue on the inside where essentials are stored. It will surely be a treat for the eyes.
If you feel like the above two reasons aren’t that important or a big deal for you, then it would be an easier option to just skip painting the inside of the bathroom cabinet.
Colors To Paint Inside Cabinets
Now, if you’ve decided to move forward with painting the inside of your bathroom cabinet, there are a couple of ideal paint colors that tend to look great no matter the style or wood finish of the cabinet.
Below are the best options to choose from to match and add interest:
White
The first go-to option would be the classic white. If you don’t want to have a loud or vibrant color and would like to maintain that classy or elegant look, go for white.
This is fantastic because even if you have another color for the doors themselves, white tends to match just about any color.
Yellow
For a color that is bright, cheerful, and vibrant, yellow is the best color to choose.
This works especially well if you have white cabinets but they can go well with brown or grey cabinets too.
It’s totally up to you which shade of yellow to use but anywhere between light to a medium shade of yellow is perfect.
Pink
Add a feminine and classy touch to the inside of the cabinets by painting them a shade of pink.
Soft shades of pink work best but if you want that pop of color, going for a vibrant pink is still a great option.
This color works well with black, brown, and white cabinets. You can’t help but love the look of the inside if you go with this color
Besides the typical shades of pink, peach or coral pink can add a lovely aesthetic to your decor.
Mint green
This color is definitely a trendy color and it’s quite tasteful in general. It adds that fun, charming, and creative appeal without being bold or overwhelming.
This color is the perfect shade if you’d like something that is calming and refreshing but utterly pleasing.
Baby blue
Another color that works great for bathroom cabinets is baby blue. This soft shade of blue can have a great effect on you and if you have glass display cabinets, it will definitely draw attention in a good way.
Teal
For a color that is aesthetically pleasing, using teal for the inside of bathroom cabinets is a great choice. This color is rejuvenating and calming which makes it a perfect choice for the bathroom.
Grey
Since all of the colors above tend to be pigmented, here’s a neutral color that still looks classy and elegant without drawing too much attention.
Whether it’s a light shade of grey or a dark and dramatic shade, grey can look really great on the inside of the bathroom cabinet.
Tips For Painting Inside Bathroom Cabinets
Once you have a good idea of which color will be suitable for the inside, here are a few tips you should keep in mind before tackling this project:
- When painting the inside of the bathroom cabinets, remove the doors or tape them with newspaper to avoid any damage or paint splashes that will be difficult to remove later on.
- Consider wiping down the surface and sanding if necessary to ensure that dirt is removed.
- Depending on the surface, you may need to prime the wood or surface for an easier and long-lasting paint finish.
- Choose the correct paint finish (semi-gloss, satin, or matte) including the right type of paint for the surface before you begin painting.
- As with most painting jobs, cut the corners with a brush and then use a roller brush to cover the surface. You may have to apply a couple of coats for a perfect finish. Do allow for sufficient time to pass in between each coat to allow it to dry completely.
Here is a video tutorial by Sherwin-Williams on how to go about it:
Conclusion
Painting inside bathroom cabinets can be a great detail and feature in the bathroom.
If you wake up every morning and open the cabinets, it does feel pleasing to be welcomed with a vibrant color that will boost your mood.
Also, if the inside of your cabinets is in a certain color you dislike, changing it to something that brings joy is definitely worth the effort.
Since this is the inside of the cabinet, you can pick any favorite color without having to worry if it will clash with the rest of the decor and color scheme.
If you enjoyed reading these tips and suggestions, I’ve listed a couple more ideas that may interest you:
What Color Should Bathroom Cabinets Be? (13 Popular Colors)
