Painting a bathroom vanity cabinet is an easy way to refresh your space without replacing anything expensive.

Many people want to try this project on their own but feel unsure about the right steps, tools, and materials.

Bathroom cabinets face moisture, cleaning, and daily use, so proper preparation matters just as much as the paint you choose.

My guide explains each part of the process in simple, clear steps to help you get a smooth, durable finish.

You’ll learn how to prep the surface, choose a primer, apply paint correctly, and reassemble the vanity once everything has cured.

Whether your cabinet is worn, outdated, or just ready for a new color, these steps will help you create a clean, long-lasting result you can feel proud of in your home today.

What You Need Before You Start

A simple list of the tools and materials you need before starting. This helps you set up your workspace and avoid delays.

• Screwdriver set
• Painter’s tape
• Sanding sponge or sanding block
• Paintbrushes (angled and small detail)
• Foam roller
• Drop cloths or plastic sheets
• Cleaning cloths or microfiber towels
• Putty knife
• Tack cloth
• Degreaser or cabinet cleaner
• Wood filler (if repairing dents or holes)
• Primer (bonding primer recommended)
• Paint (latex or cabinet-grade)
• Topcoat or sealer
• Stir sticks

Easy Cabinet Painting Steps

These steps break down the entire painting process into an easy, beginner-friendly routine. Follow each one to get a smooth, long-lasting finish on your bathroom vanity.

Step 1: Remove Doors and Hardware

Before you begin painting a bathroom vanity, you need full access to every surface, which means removing the doors, drawers, and all hardware.

This prevents the paint from catching on hinges or piling up around edges.

If you plan to replace the handles or switch to a different configuration, this is the right moment to fill old holes with putty and sand them smooth.

Taking everything apart now makes the entire sanding and painting process much easier and cleaner.

Step 2: Clean All Cabinet Surfaces

Cleaning is essential because paint won’t stick to a vanity coated in soap residue, oils, or dust.

Using TSP helps cut through heavy buildup quickly and prepares the surface for sanding.

The cabinet must be washed thoroughly, rinsed twice, and dried completely before moving on. This step ensures the paint bonds correctly and doesn’t peel later.

A clean surface is the foundation of a smooth, long-lasting finish, especially in a bathroom where moisture is constant.

Step 3: Patch and Sand Smooth

Sanding removes the glossy finish that prevents paint from adhering correctly.

Wood areas should be sanded with 220-grit until the surface loses its shine. If your vanity has thermofoil or melamine, check that the plastic layer is firmly bonded before sanding.

Loose film may need reattaching or complete removal using heat and solvents. Once sanded, the surface becomes dull and ready for primer.

Removing dust with a tack cloth ensures a clean, smooth base for the next step.

Step 4: Tape and Protect Surrounding Areas

Before priming, it’s important to protect everything around the vanity.

Painter’s tape helps create clean edges and prevents primer or paint from spreading to the countertop, walls, or inside the frame.

Taking the time to mask each surface neatly will save you a significant amount of cleanup later.

This step also gives you confidence while painting, knowing the surrounding materials are safe from stray splatters, drips, or roller marks that are harder to remove once dry.

Step 5: Apply Primer Evenly

Primer is what allows paint to grip the vanity surface properly, especially on slick materials like melamine or thermofoil.

A shellac-based primer provides strong adhesion and prevents peeling, scratching, or bubbling later.

Applying a smooth, even coat with a brush and roller prepares the surface for paint and hides many imperfections.

After the primer dries, lightly sanding helps remove small bumps and creates a perfectly smooth base. This step is essential for achieving a flawless painted finish.

Step 6: Paint in Light Coats

Painting the vanity becomes much easier once the primer is fully dry. Using thin, even coats helps prevent drips, brush marks, and streaks.

The transcript recommends applying a full first coat, letting it dry completely, and then adding two more coats for complete coverage.

Allowing time between layers ensures the finish cures evenly and looks professionally applied.

When the last coat is still slightly wet, removing the tape gives clean lines and prevents paint from tearing.

Step 7: Reassemble the Vanity

After the paint has dried overnight, the vanity can be reassembled. This includes drilling new holes if needed for updated hardware and reinstalling the doors and drawers.

Ensuring that everything opens and closes smoothly helps avoid scratches on the fresh paint.

This final stage brings the whole project together and reveals the full transformation.

With a new faucet or a few decorative touches, the vanity looks refreshed, clean, and updated without needing a full replacement.

This tutorial is based on a video by Lowe’s Home Improvement. You can check out the original video on their YouTube channel here or watch it below.

Helpful Tips to Get the Best Results

These simple tips make the painting process smoother and help you avoid common mistakes. Use them to get a cleaner finish and cabinets that look fresh longer.

• Remove all doors, drawers, and hardware so you can reach every surface without missing edges or creating uneven lines.
• Label each piece to make reassembly easier once the paint has fully cured.
• Clean the vanity with TSP to remove oils and residue, since any leftover buildup can stop the paint from bonding.
• Sand the surface until it looks dull, which helps the primer grip and prevents peeling later.
• Use a strong bonding or shellac-based primer if your vanity has laminate, melamine, or thermofoil.
• Apply thin, even coats of paint to avoid drips and brush marks.
• Allow each coat to dry properly before adding the next.
• Keep the workspace free of dust so the final finish stays smooth and clean.

Things to Keep in Mind When Painting a Bathroom Vanity

When painting a bathroom vanity, timing and prep matter just as much as the paint you choose.

Bathrooms naturally have more humidity, so make sure the space is well-ventilated throughout the project to help each coat dry properly.

Taking your time with cleaning and sanding will prevent peeling later, especially on older or glossy finishes.

Always check your paint and primer labels for recommended drying and curing times, since rushing this step can leave marks or weaken the finish.

If your vanity has laminate or thermofoil, test a small area first to make sure the primer bonds well.

Keep your workspace clean and free of dust, and avoid touching freshly painted surfaces until they’re fully cured.

A careful, patient approach always leads to the best results.

Conclusion

Painting your bathroom vanity is one of the easiest ways to refresh the entire room without replacing the cabinet.

With the right prep, the right products, and a little patience, you can get a smooth, durable finish that looks professionally done.

Cleaning, sanding, priming, and painting in light coats all make a big difference in how long the finish lasts.

Most of the work happens in the prep stage, but it pays off once you see the final result.

Whether your vanity is wood, laminate, or thermofoil, following each step carefully helps the paint stay strong through moisture and daily use.

With these steps and tips, you can give your bathroom a clean, updated look you’ll enjoy for years.